No. Many of our foster families are first-time fosters. PAWS provides guidance and support, and we work closely with our fosters to ensure everyone — including the dog — feels supported.

Fostering varies widely. Some dogs are adopted quickly, while others take longer to find the right match. In general, fosters can expect to care for a dog anywhere from several weeks to several months, until the dog is adopted into a permanent home.

PAWS covers all veterinary care, as well as food and basic supplies for foster dogs. Our foster families provide a safe, loving home and daily care.

Often, yes. Every dog and household is different, and we do our best to make thoughtful matches that set everyone up for success.

We understand that life happens. If challenges arise, PAWS works with you to find solutions and provide support. Open communication is key, and you’re never expected to handle difficult situations alone.

The first step is completing our foster application. Once submitted, a PAWS volunteer will be in touch to discuss next steps and answer any questions.

Fosters are PAWS’ most valuable resource – we can only save as many dogs as we have foster homes. We purposely don’t maintain a kennel or boarding facility, as most dogs become overly stressed in these environments after a week or two. The more dedicated fosters we have, the more dogs we can save!

Foster parents work with our Intake Director to select their PAWS foster dog from available shelter dogs or those being surrendered by an owner. They care for their foster dog as they would their own, providing a safe and comfortable environment, while providing the support, attention, socialization, exercise, structure, and affection these dogs so desperately need. The dog stays with the foster until we are able to match the dog with an adopter who is committed to providing a permanent, nurturing home.

PAWS provides fosters with all they need to care for their dog, including a collar, leash, food, treats, chew toys, crate, food & water bowls, ID, license, and comprehensive veterinary care (complete physical examination, spay/neuter, vaccinations, tests for heartworm and intestinal parasites, microchip, monthly heartworm and flea & tick preventatives, and diagnostics and treatment of any existing health conditions). If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a foster, please submit a Volunteer & Foster Application.

You will receive an in-home orientation, and a comprehensive foster packet. You will also have access to our Foster Director to help guide you through the process.

No problem! Let us know of your plans as early as possible, and we will help you to find a temporary foster or arrange for boarding.

We often need help on a temporary basis or in case of an emergency. When fosters need to go out of town, we’d much rather have their foster dog stay in a cozy home instead of being boarded in a kennel.

The first few dogs you foster are always the hardest to adopt out! We hope that fosters will find an adopter for their dog and continue to foster and help more shelter dogs, but we understand when a foster finds the right fit. Fosters who want to adopt still should decide before prospective adopters apply for the dog, and will still need to pay the adoption fee. We do offer a “foster-to-adopt” program for those who don’t see a currently available dog with the characteristics they are looking for, but are willing to work with the Intake Director to find a suitable foster dog. These fosters will be given 2-4 weeks (depending on the dog’s characteristics and medical findings) to decide if they want to keep the dog or find an adopter for the dog through PAWS. The initial vetting will be covered by PAWS and fosters will need to pay the adoption fee.

No problem! Nearly all of our fosters work full time. A shelter dog is typically kenneled 24/7. Spending 8 hours at home without you will be much preferred to the shelter! We will do our best to avoid dogs with separation anxiety for you, and you should stick to dogs that are 8 months in age or older.