Fostering a Rescue Animal – A Beginner's Guide

Fostering means giving a rescued animal a temporary home until it is adopted. It frees up space for rescue groups, helps sick, young or frightened animals recover in a calm environment, and lets you learn about an animal’s personality so it can be matched with the right family.

Before you start

Check that your household agrees, including anyone who is allergic, and that your landlord allows pets.
Think about your own pets. They should be healthy, vaccinated and able to cope with a newcomer. Many fosters are kept separate at first.
Agree the details with the rescue group you foster for: who pays for food and vet care, how you contact them in an emergency, and how adoptions are arranged.

Prepare a safe room

A quiet room that can be closed off, such as a spare bedroom or bathroom, works well for the first days.

Bed or blanket, and somewhere to hide (a covered crate or a box on its side)
Food and water bowls
Litter tray for cats, placed away from food
A few toys and, for dogs, safe chews
Remove cables, toxic plants, small objects and anything valuable that might be chewed

The first week

Let the animal settle. Many rescued animals are stressed. Allow them to hide and approach you in their own time.
Keep a routine for feeding, toilet breaks and quiet time.
Watch and record appetite, toilet habits, energy and any coughing, sneezing, vomiting or diarrhea, and report concerns to the rescue group or vet.
Keep it separate from your own pets until it has had a health check, then introduce them gradually through a door or gate first.

Helping your foster get adopted

Write down what you learn: how it reacts to visitors, children, other animals, car rides, being alone and being handled.
Take clear, bright photos and short videos showing its personality.
Work on simple skills: litter or house training, walking on a leash, gentle handling.
Be honest about challenges, so the animal goes to a home that suits it and is less likely to be returned.

Saying goodbye

Letting a foster go can be emotional. Many foster carers find it helps to remember that each adoption makes room for another animal that needs help. Some rescue groups also allow fosters to adopt, sometimes called a “foster fail”, if it is truly the right match.