Your Pet Fostering Questions — Answered

From emotional attachment to fear of the unknown, myths about fostering pets can be quite pervasive. The reality is that fostering a pet is much more rewarding than these concerns would lead you to believe. You, as a foster pet parent, are actually playing a very important role in saving lives.

According to the ASPCA, 5.8 million dogs and cats entered shelters and rescues in 2024, and the length of time animals spend in shelters and rescues has increased. Although millions of pets are adopted each year, and fostering can help alleviate shelter crowding, there aren’t enough foster parents to go around. But according to a recent study, even short outings from the kennel can increase a dog’s likelihood of being adopted by five times. If that dog is fostered, the chance of adoption increases more than 14 times.

Let’s work through a few of the most common hesitations around fostering a pet. 

The growing foster gap

Even though social media feeds are full of posts detailing how fosters save lives, there are not enough foster parents to keep up with the number of dogs and cats looking for homes. This makes each foster parent even more valuable.

April Huntsman, Senior Director of Animal Welfare at Adopt a Pet, says that half of the people polled in a recent survey have considered fostering a pet, with more than 40 percent saying they’re extremely interested in doing so. The real question, she explains, is what’s stopping them from taking the next step. “We just need to understand what’s holding them back from fostering, so we can actually get…foster programs to grow.”

Some people think they can’t foster pets if they live in an apartment, don’t have a yard, or already have pets. This couldn’t be further from the truth: There are so many animals in need of foster care, and it’s simply a matter of matching the right pet to your family. 

Huntsman shares the survey results during Adopt a Pet’s TailTalk, noting most people think of fostering as primarily about providing a temporary home for animals in need. But fostering actually has many other purposes, such as: 

• Learning about a pet’s personality 

• Opening up space in a shelter for other pets 

• Taking on a foster as a “trial adoption” before permanent placement 

• Preventing stray animals from entering a shelter at all 

• Providing medical care to sick pets 

• Experiencing the joy of having a pet without the commitment

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Why people hesitate to foster pets

Many people hesitate to foster out of fear of the unknown, or because they see it as an expert-only task. In reality, dog fostering programs include coaching and guidance every step of the way. And it won’t cost you anything but time and a little bit of love.

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Emotional attachment and saying goodbye

Many foster parents will tell you it’s impossible to care for a living being in your home and not become emotionally attached. This is not only understandable, but expected. But foster parents will also tell you that it’s worth it. 

The Adopt a Pet survey found that emotional attachment is the number one concern of potential foster parents. Here, 61 percent of potential dog fosters and 56 percent of potential cat fosters said this was their biggest concern. 

Yes, saying goodbye to a foster pet is difficult, but focusing on the fact that you are opening your home to animals in need makes it worth it. If you “foster fail” and keep your foster pet, you may not be able to continue fostering, which means that other animals will go without needed care. 

• Will my foster dog feel abandoned? Your foster dog will be sad for a short time, but they will heal, and so will you. Once a dog has bonded with one person, it’s easier for them to bond with someone else, especially in another good home. 

• How devastating is it to say goodbye? You will likely cry and feel quite sad after saying goodbye to a foster pet. You will also recover and almost certainly have room in your heart for more foster dogs in the future. 

• Can I visit my foster dog after they are adopted? In many cases, you can choose your foster’s adoption family yourself. Ask if you can stay in touch. 

• How do you focus on the big picture? Remember that hundreds of other foster parents have done this before you, and you can connect with them for emotional support. Every foster dog who gets adopted out ideally ends up in a safe, happy home. 

• What if you want to keep your foster dog? A decision like this should be carefully considered. Ask yourself why you are struggling to let go of your foster dog — and if you would be able to continue fostering after adopting this one. 

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Fear of unknown behavior or health issues

Some potential fosters worry about unknown behavior in stray or homeless pets. Although there is an element of the unknown with any new animal, your shelter partner will be able to tell you basic information about your foster pet. Matches are carefully planned to best suit your home and lifestyle and set you up for success. Adding crucial personality details (learned while fostering a pet) to their adoption profile results in a 200 percent increase in applications or queries.

• What if my foster pet has behavioral issues I’m not equipped to handle? While you may not know much about a dog’s personality before they enter a foster home, leaving a scary, loud shelter environment does wonders for a dog’s mental and emotional health, allowing their true personality to shine through. And if you find you’re in over your head, you can reach out to your shelter or rescue foster coordinator for support, to answer questions, and, if need be, to begin the process of finding a new foster parent.

• What if my foster pet gets seriously sick — am I responsible for the vet bills? The Adopt a Pet survey found that about 32 percent of potential foster parents worry about not only unknown behavior but also health issues in their pets. The good news is that almost all foster programs cover the pets’ medical needs, so your costs will be negligible. 

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Worry about existing pets

If you’re worried about how your foster pet will interact with your current pet, tell your shelter or rescue. They can match you with a pet who is friendly to other cats or dogs. Having that information on your foster pet’s adoption profile is super helpful in getting them placed in another home, too. There’s also the possibility your current pet will love mentoring and supporting their foster siblings.

• What if my current pet gets stressed or acts out while there’s a foster in the house? Most shelters and rescues recommend slow introductions and acclimations to a new environment, keeping your foster pet in a separate area. If your pet is a bit stressed, it can sometimes be managed by limiting the sights and smells of the foster animal until proper introductions can be made. But if your pet still hasn’t chilled out or things have become unmanageable, tell your shelter or rescue for support.

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Feeling unqualified or inexperienced

Because there are many different types of foster programs, you don’t have to jump in completely inexperienced. First, try walking dogs from shelters and rescues, petting cats, or short-term fostering for when fosters have to go out of town.

• Do I need to have owned a pet before to become a foster? You don’t need any experience at all to become a foster. Your shelter partner has foster staff ready to help guide you, can give you food and equipment, and sometimes even provide training or a phone line to call if you ever need help. Fostering is a skill, but it’s one you can learn as long as you’re willing.

• What if my only experience is with one type of pet? Whether you’ve had experience with only dogs and want to foster cats, or you’d love to try fostering other critters such as bunnies or leopard geckos, often you’ll find that shelters and rescues will often provide you with the training you need to succeed in caring for them (and ultimately getting the animal adopted).

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Cost concerns

Did you know it can actually be free to foster animals from your local shelter or rescue? You can, of course, spoil your foster pet with toys — but besides that, it can be fairly cheap to foster pets, which is a great way to see if you would like to adopt a pet permanently. If additional costs sound like too much, you should know that fostering costs are tax-deductible, because it’s associated with volunteering. 

• Who pays for food, supplies, and vet visits while I’m fostering? Most foster programs cover a foster animal’s food, leash, and other equipment as well as vaccines and veterinary care.

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Time commitment fears

If you're unsure about the time commitment, the good news is that some animals require less time commitment than you might expect.

• How much time does fostering actually take on a daily basis? It depends on the animal. Young puppies and unweaned kittens are the most time-consuming, requiring feeding and potty breaks every few hours, even through the night. Adults and senior animals, on the other hand, often require less time than younger animals. 

• What happens if I need to travel or something comes up unexpectedly? Talk to your rescue or shelter’s foster team. Many programs are built around exactly this kind of flexibility — they can connect your pet with a temporary foster parent who can care for them when their fosters need to be away temporarily.

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Not enough support once the pet is home

Shelters and rescues across the country are boosting their foster pet programs — which means more staff, more training, and more support.

• What if I have a question or emergency in the middle of the night? The Adopt a Pet survey findings likewise showed that about 41 percent of potential adopters would feel more comfortable with a 24/7 emergency contact when fostering, so you’re not alone if this kind of support would be helpful for you. Typically, shelters and rescues have a dedicated foster coordinator or a specific veterinary office you can contact — ask if your local shelter offers emergency support.

• Is there anyone I can call if I feel like I’m in over my head? Talk to your shelter’s foster team about your fears and concerns, and ask what kind of advice or training opportunities they have available. You may be surprised by the amount of free care and support offered. And don’t forget, you can always connect to other foster pet parents for socializing and support, as well. 

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How shelters and rescues are changing the model

Fostering is becoming more modular and flexible across the country as programs roll out, putting more shelter animals in loving, if temporary, homes. Shelters and rescues do more detailed screening and lifestyle matching than you might expect, and they send fosters home with plenty of information and tools to help you succeed. There is foster coordinator support, tools, programs, dog training, and more. 

There are even specialized foster programs, such as the following. 

• Dog Day Out: A short-term foster program, Dog Day Out enables you to take an adoptable dog out of a shelter for an offsite adventure, such as a hike, walk, pup cup, or other outings. 

• Sleepovers: Some animal shelters and rescues run sleepover programs, in which pets get a break from shelter life for some overnight snuggles. 

• Fospice: Fospice programs allow you to look after a senior or terminally ill pet, which can be incredibly rewarding. 

So…how do I know I’m ready to foster?

You will be ready to start fostering when you can meet, or are aware of, the following criteria.

• Time commitment: You’re willing and able to give time and attention to a foster pet. 

• Living space: You’re willing and able to share your living space with a foster pet, and willing to take a dog on walks. 

• Your family: You’ve spoken to other members of your household, including children, and everyone is on board with the foster mission. 

• Your experience: Even if you’re new to pet parenting, you’ve done your research to understand the basics of caring for a pet. 

• Your impact: You want to do your part to help pets get adopted and free up space in overpopulated shelters and rescues, which in turn helps save lives. Each year, 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized because shelters and rescues are too overcrowded, so fostering even once can save several lives. 

• Your love: You have plenty of affection to give to scared, lonely pets looking for their forever homes.

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.

Find a Foster 50 Program

How to get started

To start fostering, look into local rescues and shelters, and ask if they have a foster program or dog-day-out program. Many shelters and rescues will have this information listed online. Be sure to choose a reputable organization and check reviews, look into word of mouth, and visit the site yourself before making a decision. 

Fostering resources

If you’ve decided to try fostering and don’t know where to start, we’ve got you covered. 

• Questions to ask before fostering: When talking to your potential shelter partners, make sure you ask these questions.

• What to know about fostering kittens: You first should learn how to foster kittens. Your home could be exactly what a homeless kitten needs. 

• Kitten care guide: Here’s a kitten care guide to help you prepare for your first kitten foster. 

• Cat care guide: Here’s a deeper dive into cat care, as well as resources on litter box training, bottle feeding, kitten bathing, and more. 

• What to know about fostering puppies: Learn how to foster puppies, which can be a lot of work. 

• Puppy care guide: Download our puppy care guide before getting started. 

• Dog care guide: Here are some additional resources on puppy bite inhibition, preventing jumping, reducing barking, and more. 

References

ASPCA. “U.S. Animal Shelter Statistics.” ASPCA, 2024, www.aspca.org/helping-shelters-people-pets/us-animal-shelter-statistics.

Dog Gone Seattle. “5 Pearls of Wisdom to Help You Let Go of a Foster Dog - Dog Gone Seattle.” Dog Gone Seattle, 22 Aug. 2024, doggoneseattle.org/5-pearls-of-wisdom-to-help-you-let-go-of-a-foster-dog.

‌‌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.‌

“Host a Sleepover for an Adoptable Pet.” Best Friends Animal Society, 2024, bestfriends.org/sanctuary/volunteer/animal-sleepovers.