Our Fosters and Volunteers are so crucial to our organization’s success in saving these pups! While we are always in need of more long term foster pet parents (1 week to 1 month or more), we are also interested in any volunteers who can foster a dog for a night, a weekend, or a few days a week. This is especially helpful if one of our regular foster parents goes out of town for a weekend and is in need of a temporary foster or for those nights we rescue a dog from the shelter and we need a home for them overnight until we can get the right foster family lined up.
Foster parenting is a great way to enjoy the love and attention of an animal without making a permanent commitment. Because we don’t have a permanent facility, our foster program is one of the most crucial component of our rescue organization. By taking an dog into your home, you are helping it to become accustomed to a safe and loving home life. Although we can’t guarantee how long it will take to find the dog a home, the average is a few weeks, however it could be as little as a few days or as much as a few months (although we strive to find a home for the dog within the first month we rescue it). If at any time you would like to discontinue fostering, you are always given the option to stop and just need to let us know.
Foster Application Process:
Adopt A Dog Rescue’s commitment to you and your foster dog
Your Commitment to your foster dog
FAQs
Why are Foster Parents needed?
Shelters only have so much space for the animals they take in. In LA County, our shelters have a high euthanasia rate because of the over crowding, about 475 animals are euthanized each day! The animals that have been there longer without finding a home or are deemed unrehabilitable are put on the euthanasia list and given a date to be put down unless they are found a home.
Rescue groups, animal sanctuaries, and foster parents are important because they not only help make more room in the shelters for more pets or for pets to be able to stay longer, these groups and fosters are able to proactively find good families for the pets they are able to take out of the shelters.
Do I get to choose the dog i foster?
Yes. On the Volunteer Foster Information Form, you will let us know what type of dogs you are willing to foster. Once you become a part of our volunteer foster group, we will notify you when we have dogs who need foster homes and if you are able to and want to take the dog(s) we will then arrange for the transfer.
I don’t think I could be a foster parent, I’d become too attached
This is a common feeling and we share the sentiment completely. Because we take these needy dogs from grim situations at the shelters, rehabilitate and help train, give them a loving home, and become smitten with each of their individual personalities, we know how hard it is to separate from them when they go to new, permanent homes. But because of this strong bond, we also know how rewarding it is watching their new families shower them with hugs, kisses and love, and know that we helped save a life and create a new family unit. Foster parenting is an essential part of the process, and we can only tell you that it is one of the most rewarding things around, and the reason we all work tirelessly to make it happen!
What if the dog I am fostering doesn’t work out for me?
If at any time the dog in your care is not working for you, we will be happy to take him back and find another animal in need for you to foster. Just like people, animals have all different personalities and we will work with you to find the right dog for your situation.
Do I have to pay for food or supplies for animals in my care?
Adopt a Dog Rescue will provide food and supplies while the dog is in your care, unless you would like to do so yourself. All purchases you make towards the dog in your care (food, toys, etc) are donations to our non profit rescue and can be tax deductible.
What about veterinary fees or emergency care?
Adopt a Dog Rescue pays for all veterinary fees for dogs that are fostered by our wonderful foster parents. When a dog in your care needs medical attention, vaccinations, etc, we will take the dog to an approved veterinary partner of our organization.
If I have other animals in my home, can I still foster a dog?
Absolutely, as long as your pets are comfortable with their new short or long-term visitors.
If I have children, does that rule us out as a foster family?
Absolutely not, although if you have toddlers in your family, we are careful in the choice of dog for your situation.
But how will the animal find a permanent home if it is living with me?
We require the dog to be available for weekend adoption events where we show them to the public. We ask our fosters to transport their dog to at least the adoption event 2 weekends out of each month. If you can’t, we will work with you to have a volunteer transport.
What if I have to go out of town on business or vacation?
This is the beauty of fostering! Not only are you getting the satisfaction of helping a dog in need, you don’t have to be tied down to it. If you need to go out of town for just a night or for a whole month, we will find another foster parent or a place for the animal to be boarded until you return.
Is there a limit to the number of dogs I can foster?
Our priority is that the dogs receive the best care possible and are introduced to a loving environment where they can grow and become accustomed to new situations. Each situation is evaluated and then we determine how many dogs it is practical to have in your care. We don’t want to overburden our foster families and also want to be sure our dogs, and possibly your own, are all receiving the care and love they deserve. Also, Los Angeles county limits the number of animals at a private residence to three.
Ready to start fostering? fill out the Volunteer Foster Information Form
Foster parenting is a great way to enjoy the love and attention of an animal without making a permanent commitment. Because we don’t have a permanent facility, our foster program is one of the most crucial component of our rescue organization. By taking an dog into your home, you are helping it to become accustomed to a safe and loving home life. Although we can’t guarantee how long it will take to find the dog a home, the average is a few weeks, however it could be as little as a few days or as much as a few months (although we strive to find a home for the dog within the first month we rescue it). If at any time you would like to discontinue fostering, you are always given the option to stop and just need to let us know.
Foster Application Process:
- Fill out the Volunteer Foster Information Form on line or download here and email to volunteer@adoptadogrescue.com
- Have a phone interview with the Adopt A Dog Rescue volunteer coordinator
- Have a home check with our volunteer coordinator
- fill out the Volunteer Foster Agreement and Waiver form (must print and sign) and email back to us or bring to us in person at the home check.
- bring your foster dog home! meet us at a shelter for transport of the foster dog or at one of our adoption events or we will bring him to you.
Adopt A Dog Rescue’s commitment to you and your foster dog
- We provide routine and emergency medical care at one of our partner vets...at no cost to you.
- We provide essential supplies, including collars, leashes, crates, food and identification tags.
- We let the world know that your Foster Dog is looking for a permanent home by posting him or her on multiple websites.
- We hold adoption events on weekends - a great way to find loving homes for your foster dogs.
- We are here to answer questions, screen potential adopters, help transport your dog when you are unable, and do anything we can to make fostering a great experience!
Your Commitment to your foster dog
- You provide daily care for your foster dog
- You follow the safety protocols listed on the Volunteer Foster Agreement and Waiver Form
- You bring your foster to at least two adoption events a month (if you are unable to, we can arrange to have them transported by an Adopt A Dog Rescue representative
- You help us by providing up-to-date information and photos of your foster dog. And, if you'd like, you can participate in screening potential adopters and marketing your foster dog for adoption.
- And, most importantly, you let us know if you need help!
FAQs
Why are Foster Parents needed?
Shelters only have so much space for the animals they take in. In LA County, our shelters have a high euthanasia rate because of the over crowding, about 475 animals are euthanized each day! The animals that have been there longer without finding a home or are deemed unrehabilitable are put on the euthanasia list and given a date to be put down unless they are found a home.
Rescue groups, animal sanctuaries, and foster parents are important because they not only help make more room in the shelters for more pets or for pets to be able to stay longer, these groups and fosters are able to proactively find good families for the pets they are able to take out of the shelters.
Do I get to choose the dog i foster?
Yes. On the Volunteer Foster Information Form, you will let us know what type of dogs you are willing to foster. Once you become a part of our volunteer foster group, we will notify you when we have dogs who need foster homes and if you are able to and want to take the dog(s) we will then arrange for the transfer.
I don’t think I could be a foster parent, I’d become too attached
This is a common feeling and we share the sentiment completely. Because we take these needy dogs from grim situations at the shelters, rehabilitate and help train, give them a loving home, and become smitten with each of their individual personalities, we know how hard it is to separate from them when they go to new, permanent homes. But because of this strong bond, we also know how rewarding it is watching their new families shower them with hugs, kisses and love, and know that we helped save a life and create a new family unit. Foster parenting is an essential part of the process, and we can only tell you that it is one of the most rewarding things around, and the reason we all work tirelessly to make it happen!
What if the dog I am fostering doesn’t work out for me?
If at any time the dog in your care is not working for you, we will be happy to take him back and find another animal in need for you to foster. Just like people, animals have all different personalities and we will work with you to find the right dog for your situation.
Do I have to pay for food or supplies for animals in my care?
Adopt a Dog Rescue will provide food and supplies while the dog is in your care, unless you would like to do so yourself. All purchases you make towards the dog in your care (food, toys, etc) are donations to our non profit rescue and can be tax deductible.
What about veterinary fees or emergency care?
Adopt a Dog Rescue pays for all veterinary fees for dogs that are fostered by our wonderful foster parents. When a dog in your care needs medical attention, vaccinations, etc, we will take the dog to an approved veterinary partner of our organization.
If I have other animals in my home, can I still foster a dog?
Absolutely, as long as your pets are comfortable with their new short or long-term visitors.
If I have children, does that rule us out as a foster family?
Absolutely not, although if you have toddlers in your family, we are careful in the choice of dog for your situation.
But how will the animal find a permanent home if it is living with me?
We require the dog to be available for weekend adoption events where we show them to the public. We ask our fosters to transport their dog to at least the adoption event 2 weekends out of each month. If you can’t, we will work with you to have a volunteer transport.
What if I have to go out of town on business or vacation?
This is the beauty of fostering! Not only are you getting the satisfaction of helping a dog in need, you don’t have to be tied down to it. If you need to go out of town for just a night or for a whole month, we will find another foster parent or a place for the animal to be boarded until you return.
Is there a limit to the number of dogs I can foster?
Our priority is that the dogs receive the best care possible and are introduced to a loving environment where they can grow and become accustomed to new situations. Each situation is evaluated and then we determine how many dogs it is practical to have in your care. We don’t want to overburden our foster families and also want to be sure our dogs, and possibly your own, are all receiving the care and love they deserve. Also, Los Angeles county limits the number of animals at a private residence to three.
Ready to start fostering? fill out the Volunteer Foster Information Form