Why We Need Foster Homes
Every year thousands of adoptable companion animals are euthanized in shelters across the United States. Ruff Start Rescue has partnered with Best Friends and other animal welfare organizations to alleviate overcrowding in these shelters to save at-risk animals. To do this, we need people like you to open up your homes to fostering. When you foster with Ruff Start Rescue, we give you all of the supplies you need and welcome you into our supportive community of other fosters. You can pick which animals you want to foster and when you want to foster. Please email us at foster@ruffstartrescue.org if you have any questions.
What to Expect
- Fosters agree to care for their foster pets until they are adopted into loving forever homes. There is no set amount of time a foster pet will be in your home, so please be patient.
- You get to help pick the pet(s) that fit your home best.
- All supplies and medical care for your foster will be provided for free, thanks to the generosity of our donors.
Responsibilities of a Foster
- Have all of the other pets in the home spayed/neutered and up-to-date on vetting.
- Be willing to work with your foster pet. Many come from stressful or traumatic situations and may not know how to act in a home environment. But thankfully, with love, guidance, patience, and consistency, they will learn.
- Attend at least one adoption event per month.
- Always leash your foster pet when outside, unless you have a completely fenced-in yard.
- Exercise your foster pet frequently and adequately.
- Be willing to take your foster pet to vet appointments and handle any medical tasks, such as giving daily medications.
Next Steps
If you’re interested in fostering, please fill out a foster application. After we review your application, we will schedule a home visit where you will meet with someone from the rescue. You can discuss any questions and concerns you might have at this time. There are always pets that need a loving foster home, and we will work with you to determine which one will best fit your lifestyle. Please email us at foster@ruffstartrescue.org if you have any questions.