Yellow dog fast asleep with its head on the pillows of a bed

Foster

Lend a dog your couch for a while

Almost all of our dogs live with foster families until they’re adopted, so every new foster home means one more dog we can say yes to.

Apply to foster Ask a question first

37 dogs in foster homes right now
$0 you pay for supplies and vet care

What we cover, what you bring

ARF covers

Supplies for your foster dog
Vet care while they’re with you
Support from our team whenever you have a question

You bring

A safe, quiet spot for a dog to land
Daily walks, meals and a little house training
Patience while they figure out what a home is

The part everyone asks about

“I’d get too attached.”

You probably will. Saying goodbye is hard, and nobody here will pretend it isn’t.

It’s also the moment your work pays off. A dog who learned about couches, leashes and dinnertime at your place walks into their new home ready for it. You’ll know their quirks better than anyone, and you get to pass all of that on to the family who adopts them.

Short stays count

A 2019 study from Arizona State University found that shelter dogs’ stress hormone levels dropped during short sleepovers in a home. A weekend with you counts, and so does a month.

Black and white dog with pale blue eyes lounging on a bed with one paw raised

Yellow dog stretched out on a quilted bed and grinning at the camera

Speckled black and tan puppy resting its chin on a person's arm

Two red and white puppies snuggled on a green knit blanket

Small long haired tricolor dog with feathered ears resting in the corner of a couch

Two curly puppies in a living room full of plants, one on the couch and one in a dog bed

What fostering looks like

A home base

Feed them, walk them, let them nap in the sun. Work on the basics like house manners and walking on a leash.

Tell us what you see

How do they do with kids, cats and other dogs? Do they snore? What you notice becomes their adoption profile and helps us find the right match.

Take great photos

Good photos get dogs adopted faster. Our photo tips take two minutes to read and work on any phone.

Questions people ask

Do I pay for anything?

ARF provides supplies and vet care for your foster dog. If something comes up, talk to us before you spend money on it.

I have pets already. Can I still foster?

Tell us about them on the application. We’ll look for a dog who’s known to get along with dogs or cats like yours.

I rent. Is that a problem?

Not if your lease allows it. Check your landlord’s pet rules before you apply.

How long does a foster stay last?

Until the dog is adopted, which can take days, months or longer. If you can only do a short stretch, say so on your application. Short stays help too.

Ready?

The foster application is on Shelterluv, the same system we use for our dogs. It starts with your contact details.

Apply to foster

Want to help without a dog living with you? Volunteer instead.