It Changes Everything:
Why You Should Foster a Dog This Year

Whenever I tell people that I foster dogs, they often respond, “I could never do that; I would be too sad when they got adopted.” And they’re not wrong. It’s always bittersweet when a foster dog leaves for their forever home. But while it can be an emotional time, fostering is a profoundly impactful way to make a difference in a dog’s life.

Over the last 15 years, my family has fostered more than 200 dogs: big dogs, small dogs, puppies, old dogs, pregnant dogs, entire litters, deaf dogs, three-legged dogs, and semi-feral dogs. Some only stayed a few days; several were with us for over a year. Some we fell in love with and cried when they got adopted. With a few, we sighed with relief when they left. As my daughter says, “I like the naughty ones because they stay the longest.”

According to the ASPCA, 3.1 million dogs enter the shelter system annually. About 22% of these are owner-surrendered and the rest are strays. Roughly 390,000 dogs are euthanized each year - enough to fill five large sports stadiums. Overcrowding is a primary factor in these high euthanasia rates. There simply is not enough room for all the stray and surrendered dogs.

Every time you take a foster dog into your home, a space opens up at the shelter. That’s one less dead dog. Foster dogs have a much better chance of getting adopted, too. This 2023 study found that dogs in foster care are 14 times more likely to get adopted than those in shelters.

If saving a life isn’t compelling enough, there are other solid reasons to consider fostering a dog. These include:

• You really like dogs but aren’t ready to make a long-term commitment.
• You can experience having a dog in your home, helping you decide if adopting a pet is right for your family.
• You want to adopt a dog but are unsure what kind of dog would be a good match.
• Your kids want a dog and promise they will do all the work, but you're not sure they are ready for the responsibility.
• You are thinking about getting a second dog but aren’t sure if you have enough time for a two-dog household.

Fostering is flexible. You can choose to foster for just a few weeks or months or even just be on standby to take a dog when another foster family goes out of town. Whether you’re available for a short-term commitment or can commit to a longer stay, there’s a foster arrangement that will work for you. You can also specify the type of dog you’re willing to foster, such as a senior dog, a puppy, or a dog with medical needs.

1. Assemble the Basics

While some shelters or rescue groups provide supplies, most are strapped for cash and will appreciate anything you can provide. Here are the essentials to have on hand.

• Dog food. Don’t overthink it. Buy a quality brand and follow the directions on the bag.
• Clean, fresh water. Make sure it’s always available in a suitable-sized bowl.
• Collar with ID tags, a leash, and a harness. Dogs coming directly from a shelter are a high flight risk. Your foster pup should always wear a collar with an ID tag (yes, even at home). Leash your dog whenever the front door opens to prevent bolting. Do not let your foster dog off-leash when on walks!
• Treats. Pet stores sell every imaginable type of dog treat, but most dogs are quite happy with plain boiled chicken, string cheese, or sliced turkey meat.
• Vinegar or enzyme cleaner. Be prepared for potty accidents. Transitioning to a foster home can be stressful, even for dogs already house-trained.

2. Dog-Proof Your Home

• If you have a puppy or a dog struggling with potty training or a young dog who chews everything, confine them to a smaller area when you cannot directly monitor them. Baby gates are a life-saver.
• Check your house for poisonous house and backyard plants.
• Keep foods that are poisonous to dogs out of reach.
• Stash your stash: marijuana is highly toxic to dogs.

3. Make Sure You Have All Shelter and Vet Contacts

Before you accept your foster dog, read the shelter’s foster contract thoroughly. Make sure you have the shelter’s phone number(s) and vet contacts. Find out in advance who to call and what to do in an emergency during off-hours.

4. Let Go If It’s a Bad Match

Fostering can sometimes be challenging, but you are neither expected nor obligated to keep an unsafe dog in your home. If you have safety concerns involving your children or other pets, know that you can and should return the dog without shame or guilt. Pass along new information to include in the dog’s shelter profile (“not good with cats,” “does not like children”) so potential adopters can make an informed choice.

5. Allow Time to Decompress

It may take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for your rescue dog’s personality to fully emerge. Foster dogs have likely experienced trauma, whether they were surrendered by a family they loved or were living as a stray on the streets. Life in a shelter is noisy, scary, and lonely. They have no idea who you are and how they ended up at your house.

For the first few days, your foster dog may sleep a lot, appear depressed or agitated, ignore all food and treats, not poop, or resist walks - all very normal. Your dog will not starve to death if they don’t eat or eat very little for the first few days. Just keep offering food and make sure they have access to water. It’s also okay if they don’t want to go on walks, play, or snuggle. Building trust takes patience and time. For shy or nervous dogs, practice asking for consent before interacting.

6. Expect Potty Accidents

Your new foster dog may have at least one potty accident. Previously house-trained dogs may forget their training due to the stress and confusion of being in a new home. Consider yourself lucky if your foster dog never has an accident. If you foster a puppy or a stray dog who hasn’t lived in a home before, plan on potty training from scratch.

• Roll up all your rugs temporarily.
• Use vinegar or an enzyme cleaner to clean up accidents thoroughly.
• Use a belly band lined with incontinence pads for male dogs that mark inside.
• Follow the tips at Housetraining 101 (it’s not just for puppies!).

7. Train Your Foster Dog

Keep training force-free. Studies show that positive-reinforcement dog training is more effective and successful than dominance training and punishment. Force-free training does not rely on human dominance/dog submission or the debunked theory that you must be the “pack leader.”

Manage the environment to avoid unwanted behaviors. Management is not training, but it prevents your dog from habitually practicing bad behaviors. For example, keep your dog on a leash when greeting people until she learns not to jump up. In some cases, management is the fastest fix. Putting the kitchen trash out of reach may be simpler than training your new foster dog to ignore it.

8. Practice Alone Time

Practice leaving your foster dog alone for short periods, varying and slowly increasing the time you are away. Before leaving the house, set up a camera or a Zoom meeting on your laptop and watch from outside. If your foster dog shows distress, come back inside before panic sets in. Understand that you can't cause or prevent separation anxiety. If you suspect your foster dog has an alone-time issue, let the shelter know and educate yourself.

9. Plan for Successful Introductions with Resident Dogs

Walking in the front door with a new foster can be stressful for everyone if you already have a dog. Read this for step-by-step instructions on safely introducing dogs to each other.

10. Help Find a Forever Home

The ultimate goal for every dog in foster care is to find a loving, permanent home. Here are some ways you can help.

• Post pictures, videos, and updates about your foster dog on social media.
• Have your dog wear an “adopt me” vest on walks.
• Send pictures and updates to the shelter or rescue to keep the dog’s profile current.

Fostering doesn’t just save lives - it will also change your life. When you welcome a dog into your home, you’re giving them a second chance at happiness and showing them the love and care they deserve. By fostering, you’re helping shelters make room for more dogs in need and inspiring others to get involved. Whether it’s your first foster or your 50th, each dog you care for leaves a mark on your heart and home.

You won’t change the world overnight, but for one dog, you’ll change everything.