Why Fostering Is a Win-Win for Pets and Humans

Fostering saves lives. It gives pets a break from the shelter and opens up space for others in need. It’s also a low-commitment way to try out pet parenting — and yes, fostering counts even if you end up keeping them (we see you, foster fails). 

That’s why Adopt a Pet, in partnership with a coalition of animal welfare specialists, created the Foster 50, a national program to increase pet fostering in the United States. With an estimated 5.8 million cats and dogs entering shelters and rescues, foster parents are needed now more than ever. Have you been on the fence about fostering? Well, consider this your sign. Here’s what you need to know to get started.

 Want to become a foster? Find a foster program at a shelter or rescue group near you.

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Why fostering matters

Spending just one hour with a dog outside the shelter can impact their life for the better. Shelters and rescues are often overcrowded and understaffed, so fostering frees up space and resources, directly contributing to saving more animals.​ But there are other benefits to shelter pets, shelters and rescues, and even some benefits for you. 

How fostering helps animals

If just two percent of pet parents fostered a dog each year, we could eradicate euthanasia in the shelter and rescue system. But it’s not just a space-saving intervention: Studies show that fostered pets are adopted faster and benefit behaviorally from their time in foster homes. 

• Dogs are 14 times more likely to be adopted after having foster sleepovers.

• Dogs who are fostered are less likely to be returned to shelters.

• Cats in foster care are adopted significantly faster than cats in shelters or other care arrangements.

• Foster cats benefit from social interactions and individualized attention.

Read this related article on PEDIGREE® Foundation

Thinking About Fostering? Let’s Make It Happen.

Fostering helps pets feel safe, loved, and prepares them for adoption. Find out how you can become a foster parent.

How fostering benefits you

If you’re unsure you are ready to adopt, fostering is a great way to learn how to be a pet parent.

• You’ll get hands-on experience caring for different types of pets — or sizes, personalities, and needs — all while figuring out what works best for you. 

• Fostering also boosts your mental health and is a source of endless hours of entertainment. 

• Fostering a pet is one of the most direct ways you can help an animal and save them from euthanasia. In 2024, approximately 607,000 shelter animals were euthanized, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

How fostering helps shelters and rescues

As a foster parent, you not only help save animal lives but also greatly assist your animal shelter. 

• By caring for a pet, you lessen the workload of shelter employees, allowing them to focus on other animals in need.​ 

• For each animal in foster care, a space opens up, allowing more pets to receive housing and care.

• Fostering allows shelters and rescues to learn more about pets’ personalities in real-life environments, so that information can be shared with potential adopters, helping pets find better adoptive matches.

And for Foster 50 participating shelters and rescues, your volunteer work as a foster enables them to access grants that will help them enhance their foster care networks and gain access to new technology to streamline their fostering processes.

Find a pet foster program near you

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There are thousands of foster programs available across the country, and many are urgently looking for help. Whether you’re ready to open up your home to a pet today or just curious about what fostering actually looks like, there’s likely a program near you that could use your support.

Ready to get started? Find a foster program at a shelter or rescue group near you.

Fostering resources

If you’re interested in fostering but not sure where to start, we’ve got you covered. Worried that factors such as your budget or living situation might be a barrier? Well, here’s some good news: Most shelters and rescues cover the basics, such as food, supplies, and veterinary care, and the space requirements may be minimal, depending on the type of pet. Fostering pets really is possible in a variety of living situations, as long as you meet the foster parent guidelines.

Below, you’ll find more helpful tips and fostering guides to help you become the best foster parent you can be.

Fostering cats

Thinking about fostering a cat? Read up on six things to consider before fostering a cat, then check out these helpful resources and care guides.

• Learn about kitten season: During the warmer months, kitten births skyrocket, and it has a dramatic effect on shelters and rescues. Read more about kitten season.

• What you should know about fostering kittens: Learn how to start fostering kittens — your home could be exactly what a vulnerable kitten needs to survive and thrive.

• Kitten care guide: Download our kitten care guide to help you prepare for the arrival and first few months with your new kitten.

• For cat care and behavior tips: If you’re looking for a deeper dive into cat care, we have more resources on litterbox training, bottle feeding, kitten bathing, and more.

Fostering dogs

Thinking about fostering a dog? Read more to learn about the process of fostering a dog and what to expect.

• Questions you should ask before fostering a dog: Learn which pet and foster program is right for you by asking these key pet fostering questions.

• What you should know about fostering puppies: Puppies are also a lot of work. Before you take one in, here are a few puppy fostering tips to make sure you’re prepared.

• Puppy care guide: Download our puppy care guide to help you prepare for the arrival and first few months with your new puppy.

• For dog care and behavior tips: If you’re ready to learn more about dog care, we have additional resources on puppy bite inhibition, preventing jumping, reducing barking, and more.

Fostering small animals

Fostering isn’t limited to just cats and dogs. Did you know that there are plenty of rescues looking for fosters for animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, doves, and more? Here are a few guides on caring for rabbits.

• What to know before fostering a rabbit: What every prospective rabbit foster parent should know before jumping in.

• How to care for a rabbit: Check out our comprehensive guide for everything you need to know to raise a rabbit.

Special cases

If you cannot commit to long-term foster care, consider shorter-term fostering options. These include sleepovers, day trips, temporary care to support another foster parent, or hospice. There are many possibilities available. 

• How ‘fospice’ helps during a pet’s final days: Looking after a senior or terminally ill pet can be the most important, rewarding thing you ever do. Here’s what pet “fospice” entails.

• Short-term fostering with day trips: Here’s how doggy day out field trips transform a shelter dog’s personality and their chances for adoption.

Foster 50 was developed by a coalition of animal welfare specialists, including PEDIGREE® Foundation, Maddie’s Fund, Adopt a Pet, Petco Love, The Association of Animal Welfare Advancement, Mutual Rescue, and Outcomes for Pets Consulting.

References

Mohan-Gibbons, Heather, et al. “Evaluation of a Novel Dog Adoption Program in Two US Communities.” PLoS ONE, vol. 9, no. 3, 24 Mar. 2014, p. e91959, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0091959.

Vitale, Kristyn R et al. “Cat Foster Program Outcomes: Behavior, Stress, and Cat-Human Interaction.” Animals : an open access journal from MDPI vol. 12,17 2166. 24 Aug. 2022, doi:10.3390/ani12172166

‌Gunter, Lisa M., et al. “The Influence of Brief Outing and Temporary Fostering Programs on Shelter Dog Welfare.” Animals, vol. 13, no. 22, 1 Jan. 2023, p. 3528, www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/22/3528, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13223528.

‌SAC. “Length of Stay: Four Proven Strategies to Help Animals Leave Your Shelter Faster - Shelter Animals Count.” Shelter Animals Count, 27 Sept. 2024, www.shelteranimalscount.org/four-strategies-to-reduce-length-of-stay.

Ropski, M. K., Pike, A. L., & Ramezani, N. (2023). Analysis of illness and length of stay for cats in a foster-based rescue organization compared with cats housed in a cat café. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 62, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2023.02.002.