BY JULIE YOUNG

Fostering an animal not only provides a safe, loving environment for socialization but also frees up shelter space and allows you to enjoy the companionship of a new friend without the permanent commitment. 

Getting started

After deciding on the type of animal you’re interested in fostering, research local shelters that offer fostering programs to learn about their policies and practices. While some shelters provide all the supplies needed to temporarily care for an animal (including medical treatments), others require foster families to contribute some of their own resources as well. Be sure to understand all your responsibilities before filling out an application, and if you’re unsure about anything, don’t hesitate to ask. 

Making a match

Once the shelter receives your application and learns more about your living situation, the number of pets you currently have, and your experience level, they will help match you with a pet. The typical fostering agreement lasts from a few weeks to a few months, but the exact duration depends largely on the animal’s age, health, and whether it’s a short-term or long-term arrangement. 

While the purpose of fostering a pet is to provide a safe home for an animal until it’s ready for its forever family, sometimes the foster arrangement “fails,” and the family decides to adopt their temporary houseguest. In many cases, shelters offer their foster families the first chance to adopt their foster pet, which leads to a happy ending for everyone involved.