Fostering Through The Anti-Cruelty Society
Fostering is one of the most direct ways to help an animal in need. By opening your home to a pet for a short period of time, you can provide comfort, stability, and individualized attention that may be difficult to receive in a shelter environment. For many animals, time in foster care can reduce stress, support recovery, and help them prepare for adoption.
As an open-admission shelter, The Anti-Cruelty Society cares for animals from a wide variety of backgrounds and circumstances. Foster homes play an important role in helping these pets thrive while creating space and resources for other animals in need of care.
Why Foster?
Many people are interested in helping animals but are not ready to make a lifelong commitment through adoption. Fostering offers an opportunity to make a meaningful difference while providing temporary care to a pet in need.
In addition to helping individual animals, foster homes allow shelter staff to learn more about a pet’s personality, routines, behavior, and needs in a home environment. This information can be valuable when matching animals with future adopters.
Support for Foster Families
The Anti-Cruelty Society provides extensive support for foster volunteers throughout the foster experience. Foster families receive program training, food, medical care, behavior guidance, and ongoing support from the foster team.
Unlike some foster programs, volunteers are not expected to arrange veterinary care through private clinics. Foster animals remain under the care of The Anti-Cruelty Society’s veterinary team, helping reduce both costs and uncertainty for foster families.
Foster volunteers are generally asked to provide treats, toys, bedding, accessories, and, most importantly, a safe and caring temporary home.
Animals in Need of Foster Care
Animals entering foster care come from many different situations. Some are recovering from illness or injury, while others simply benefit from spending time in a quieter home environment.
Foster opportunities may include adult dogs, puppies, animals needing additional socialization, pets recovering from medical treatment, and animals receiving behavioral support. Because The Anti-Cruelty Society accepts animals regardless of age, health, or condition, foster homes often play a critical role in helping pets prepare for their next chapter.
The SAFE Program
One of The Anti-Cruelty Society’s unique foster opportunities is the SAFE program. Through SAFE, pets receive temporary emergency housing when their owners are experiencing circumstances that temporarily prevent them from caring for their animals.
Rather than permanently surrendering a beloved pet, families facing a crisis may be able to keep their pet connected to them while they work through a difficult situation. Foster volunteers help provide temporary care and stability until the animal can be reunited with its owner.
Home Trial Foster Program
For individuals considering adoption but unsure whether a particular dog or cat is the right fit, The Anti-Cruelty Society offers a Home Trial program.
This program allows prospective adopters to foster an adoptable pet for approximately one week before making a final adoption decision. At the end of the trial period, participants may choose to adopt, continue helping the animal as an Adoption Ambassador Foster, or return the pet to the shelter while staff continue searching for a permanent home.
Home Trial participants receive the same support provided to traditional foster families, including food, medical care, and behavior assistance.
Pajama Party Fosters
Not everyone can commit to fostering for several weeks, which is why The Anti-Cruelty Society also offers Pajama Party fostering opportunities.
These short-term overnight foster experiences typically last about 24 hours and provide adoptable dogs with a break from the shelter environment. Pajama Party fosters can be a great introduction for people interested in exploring foster care while helping a dog enjoy some much-needed rest and relaxation.
How Long Do Foster Placements Last?
While every situation is different, most foster placements through The Anti-Cruelty Society last approximately three to six weeks. Staff typically provide an estimated timeline before a foster animal goes home.
In some situations, animals may require additional care or recovery time. If a foster placement needs to be extended, volunteers are given the opportunity to discuss available options with the foster team.
Who Can Foster?
Fostering is accessible to many households, but volunteers should be prepared to provide a safe and supportive environment for the animals in their care.
Generally, foster volunteers should be at least 18 years old, have reliable transportation, be comfortable communicating through email, and ensure that resident household pets are properly vaccinated. It’s also important that all members of the household support the decision to foster.
Getting Started
The Anti-Cruelty Society provides training and orientation for new foster volunteers and works with foster families to identify opportunities that fit their experience, availability, and household environment.
Whether you’re interested in a traditional foster placement, a Home Trial experience, a Pajama Party foster, or another special foster opportunity, the foster team is available to help guide you through the process.
Apply to Become a Foster Volunteer
Contact Information
Email: foster@anticruelty.org
Phone: (312) 644-8338
Website:
The Anti-Cruelty Society