You will need:

• Space (even if it’s just a spare room or bathroom) for the foster pet to live
• An animal shelter or rescue organization nearby to facilitate the foster process

That’s it. Really!

How long do I keep a foster pet? It depends. With any reputable rescue, you can stop or return the foster at any time. Sometimes fosters are short-term, a week or two, to give them a home to recover from a medical procedure or illness. Other fosters may be long term, months or even years. Still others may be considered “permanent”, such as fospice pets, who are too old or ill to hope for a permanent home but need a comfortable place to live out their remaining days.

How much does it cost to foster? Nothing. The shelter or rescue typically covers all costs. Food, toys, equipment, and even medical needs. This is especially helpful for fospice animals who might otherwise be expensive to care for.

If I fall in love with my foster pet, can I adopt them? Yes. Of course. Everyone loves a good foster-fail (or foster-win!) story.

Why is fostering even a thing? Why do shelters need fosters? Fosters provide two critical (and otherwise expensive) resources: time and space. When you take a dog, or a cat, or a litter of kittens into your home, you free up space in the shelter for other animals in need. You also give your foster pet a chance to get out of the shelter environment and relax in a home. Think about it — if you had a choice to be cooped up in a small box surrounded by other noisy animals or given your own private, quiet space, which would you prefer? The reduced stress has a significantly positive impact on the pet’s health and wellbeing.