The spare room smells of fresh blankets. A water bowl sits in the corner, and a small bed waits by the window. Then the car arrives, and a nervous young dog steps inside, tail low, looking up at you.
For a few weeks, this room is its whole world. And you get to make that world feel safe.
Fostering means giving a rescued animal a temporary home until it is adopted or ready to return to the shelter. A foster home frees up space in shelters, gives sick, young or frightened animals a calm place to recover, and lets the rescue group learn about each animal’s personality so it can be matched with the right family. You do not need to be an expert. You need time, patience and a safe space.
- You do not need to be an expert. Time, patience and a quiet room are what matter most.
- Agree on the details first. Ask the rescue group who pays for what, which vet to use and who to call in an emergency.
- Start in a safe room. Keep the foster apart from your own pets at first, and wash your hands between them.
- Watch, record and report. Tell the group early about any health change. Breathing trouble or collapse is an emergency.
- The goodbye is the goal. Each adoption opens space for another animal in need.
Which animals need foster homes?
Many kinds of animals need foster homes, from young kittens and puppies to older pets that do better away from a busy shelter.
Show the details
Rescue groups and shelters look for foster carers for many kinds of animals, for example:
- Kittens and puppies too young to be adopted, sometimes with their mother
- Animals recovering from surgery, injury or illness
- Animals that find the shelter stressful, such as shy cats or anxious dogs
- Animals that need social skills or basic training before adoption
- Older animals that do better in a quiet home
Foster periods vary. Some last a weekend, some a few weeks, and some several months. Ask what kind of animal and what time frame fits your life before you say yes.
Is fostering right for you?
Think honestly about your household, your time, your space and your own pets before you say yes.
Questions to ask yourself
- Does everyone at home agree? Check for allergies, and confirm that your rental agreement allows pets.
- How much time do you have? Young kittens may need feeding every few hours. A dog needs walks, play and training every day.
- Can your home offer a separate space? Most fosters need their own room at first.
- Are your own pets ready? They should be healthy, up to date on vaccinations, and able to cope with a newcomer. Ask your vet if you are unsure.
- Can you manage the goodbye? It is hard, but it is the goal.
Questions to ask the rescue group
Every group works differently, so agree on costs, vet care and emergency contacts before you start.
See the questions to ask
- Who pays for food, litter, supplies and vet care?
- Which vet do you use, and who approves treatment?
- Who do you contact in an emergency, including at night?
- How long is the foster period expected to be?
- Who handles adoption applications and meetings with adopters?
- Can you say no to a particular animal, or return one if it does not work out?
Many groups provide the main supplies and cover vet care. Others ask foster carers to buy some items. Knowing this in advance avoids surprises.
Supplies checklist
Food, bowls, a bed, a hiding place, a few toys and cleaning supplies cover most of what you need.
See the full checklist
For all fosters:
- Food (ideally the same food the animal already eats) and food and water bowls
- A bed or blankets, and a place to hide, such as a covered crate or a box on its side
- A few safe toys
- A collar or harness with an ID tag, if the group uses them
- Cleaning supplies, including a pet-safe cleaner for accidents
- A notebook or phone notes to record health and behavior
Extra for cats: a litter tray and litter, and a scratching post.
Extra for dogs: a leash and well-fitting collar or harness, poop bags, safe chews, and a crate if the group recommends one.
Prepare a safe room
A quiet room you can close off, such as a spare bedroom or a bathroom, helps the animal feel secure and keeps it apart from your own pets.
How to prepare the room
The room also lets you watch the animal’s eating and toilet habits in the first days.
- Remove cables, medicines, cleaning products, toxic plants, small objects and anything valuable that might be chewed.
- Check that windows are closed or have secure screens, and that there are no gaps where a small animal could hide or get stuck.
- For cats, place the litter tray away from food and water.
- Make the room comfortable, with some light and a normal temperature.
The first week
Let the animal settle at its own pace, keep a routine, and watch its health closely.
Keep your pets safe. Keep the foster separate from your own pets until it has had a health check, and wash your hands after handling it. Shelter animals can carry infections that are not visible at first.
Read the full steps
- Let the animal settle. Many rescued animals are stressed when they arrive. Let them hide and come to you in their own time.
- Keep a routine for meals, toilet breaks, play and quiet time.
- Watch and record appetite, water intake, toilet habits, energy, and any coughing, sneezing, eye or nose discharge, vomiting or diarrhea.
- Keep it separate from your own pets, at least until it has had a health check and has settled.
- Wash your hands after handling the foster and before handling your own pets, especially in the first days.
Introducing resident pets
Take introductions slowly, usually over one to two weeks, and go back a step if either animal seems afraid.
Read the full steps
- Keep the animals in separate areas.
- Swap bedding or towels so they learn each other’s scent.
- Let them see each other through a gate or a slightly open door, for short periods.
- Allow short, supervised meetings when both stay calm. For dogs, a walk together on neutral ground is a good start.
- Do not leave them alone together until you are sure they get along.
If either animal shows fear or aggression, go back a step and slow down.
When to contact the rescue group or vet
Follow your group’s health plan and tell them about any concern early.
Contact the group or vet promptly if your foster:
- Stops eating for more than about a day (sooner for young kittens or puppies)
- Has repeated vomiting or diarrhea
- Has thick yellow or green discharge from the eyes or nose
- Is very tired, weak or hiding more than usual
- Strains to urinate or has not passed urine
Treat these as an emergency: breathing difficulty, collapse, not responding, being unable to stand, heavy bleeding, or suspected poisoning.
Always give medicines exactly as prescribed, and do not stop early. Do not give any human medicines.
Helping your foster get adopted
You know your foster better than anyone, and that knowledge helps it find the right home.
How to help your foster shine
- 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 that show its personality, such as playing, relaxing or doing a trick.
- Work on simple skills: litter or house training, walking on a leash, sitting for a treat, and calm handling of paws and ears.
- Keep it clean and well groomed, if it enjoys grooming.
- Be honest about challenges. An honest description helps the animal go to a home that suits it, which makes a return less likely.
Saying goodbye
Letting a foster go is often the hardest part, and it is normal to feel sad even when it is going to a good home.
Things that help
- Remember that each adoption opens space for another animal in need.
- Write a short note for the adopters about its routine, favorite toys and habits.
- Ask the group if the adopters are happy to send an update.
- Take a short break before your next foster if you need one.
Some groups allow foster carers to adopt their foster, sometimes called a “foster fail”. This can be a happy ending, but consider whether keeping one animal means you can no longer foster others.
Frequently asked questions
Does fostering cost money?
It depends on the group. Many cover vet care and provide main supplies, while others ask carers to pay for some items. Ask before you agree to foster.
Can I foster if I work full time?
Often, yes. Many adult cats and some adult dogs cope well with a normal work day. Very young animals and animals with medical needs usually need someone at home more often.
How long will I have my foster animal?
It can be anywhere from a few days to several months. It depends on the animal’s age, health and how quickly an adopter is found.
Can I foster if I have my own pets?
Usually, yes, as long as your pets are healthy, vaccinated and you can keep the foster separate at first. Talk to the rescue group about which fosters would suit your household.
If you are fostering very young kittens, read our guides to caring for orphan kittens and the kitten care chart. See also adjusting after adoption and common diseases in strays.
Sources
- Humane World for Animals – Pet fostering 101
- Best Friends Animal Society – Cat Foster Care Manual
- PetMD – The Essential Guide to Fostering a Dog
This guide is general information and not a substitute for veterinary advice.
