Foster a forver friend

A foster dog temporarily becomes part of your household while Forever Friends works toward their adoption.

Depending on the individual dog, fostering may involve:

• Providing a safe and comfortable place to stay
• Feeding and caring for the dog
• Giving them exercise, attention, and affection
• Helping them settle into a home environment
• Letting us know about their personality, habits, and behavior
• Attending a meet-and-greet with potential adopters
• Helping us understand what type of forever home will be the best fit

There isn't one set length of time for every dog.

Some dogs may need a short-term foster while we arrange their next step. Others may need several weeks or longer while they receive medical care, decompress, or wait for the right adopter.

We will always discuss the expected needs of the individual dog with you before you commit to fostering.

If you can only foster for a specific amount of time, let us know.

Short-term foster opportunities can be incredibly helpful too.

Forever Friends covers the costs for a foster. This includes: 

Veterinary care for foster dogs

If your foster dog becomes sick or has a medical concern, please contact Forever Friends before arranging veterinary treatment unless it is an immediate emergency.

Food and Supplies 

We provide food, toys, beds, leashes, whatever your dog might need. 

Fosters may also choose to provide their own food, treats, toys, beds, or other supplies, but this is not expected. 

We will always communicate what is needed before you bring a dog home.

We understand that sometimes things don't work out exactly as expected.

A dog may behave differently in your home than anticipated. Your household may not be the right environment for that particular dog. Or an unexpected situation may come up.

Please contact us.

We would rather know that something isn't working than have a foster feel like they have to handle a difficult situation alone.

Forever Friends will work with you to determine the next best step for the dog.

Our goal is to make fostering a positive experience for both the dog and the foster family.

Yes, potentially!

Sometimes a foster family falls in love with their foster dog and realizes they've found their Forever Friend.

We call this a "foster fail" — and we're perfectly okay with it.

If you decide you'd like to adopt your foster dog, let us know and we'll discuss the adoption process with you.

There is no single "perfect" foster home. We may need fosters with many different types of homes and lifestyles.

You may be a great fit if you:

• Live in a house, apartment, condo, or other pet-friendly home
• Already have dogs
• Don't currently have pets
• Work from home
• Work outside the home
• Have experience with dogs
• Are newer to dog ownership
• Can provide a calm environment
• Can provide an active environment
• Can foster for a short period
• Can foster for several weeks or longer

What matters most is that the home is safe, responsible, and appropriate for the individual dog.

We will help match you with a dog whose needs fit your household as closely as possible.

We understand that people have jobs, families, vacations, travel plans, and busy lives.

That's why we want to know what you can realistically offer.

• Maybe you can foster for a month.
• Maybe you can help with a weekend.
• Maybe you can provide an emergency foster.
• Maybe you are available for dogs who need a longer-term placement.

Tell us your availability and we'll do our best to find an opportunity that makes sense.

You don't have to be available all the time to make a difference.