Foster

Fostering is providing a temporary home for a pet, as an alternative to housing them in the shelter.  Every foster request is unique because every animal is unique. Fostering is truly lifesaving!

Fostering can be a wonderful experience for you and your family. You make a positive difference in an animal’s life, and each animal fostered in a home opens up a space for us to save another animal! Fostering also provides the individual attention that each animal needs.

Foster commitments range from two weeks to several months, so you can choose foster options that fit your lifestyle. We may ask that animals be actively promoted for adoption from the foster home. The sooner your foster animal is adopted, the sooner you can (hopefully) bring a new foster pet into your home, giving us one more available kennel at the shelter to help other animals in need.

Foster families should be compassionate, open minded, caring and patient. You will be informed of your foster animal’s known history, medical and behavioral health before they are placed in your care, and our foster coordinator will help answer questions and provide resources and information.

Yes! AWLA will provide the items you need to get started. This may include but is not limited to carriers, crates, food, medication, litter boxes, puppy pads, bowls, collar/leash, etc. Shelter supplies are donation-based, so if you would like to provide approved supplies for your foster animal we would be extremely grateful!

• Foster caregivers must be 18 years of age or older.
• Willingness to abide by all policies and procedures in our foster manual and in the foster care contract you sign when you pick up your foster animal. You will receive a copy of the contract each time you foster.
• If you rent your home, you must have permission from the property manager/landlord to house animals.
• Have regular access to email and respond promptly to email and phone communication.
• Be able to provide or arrange a transportation plan for your foster animal(s) to and from AWLA.
• Follow instructions from AWLA staff regarding medical and behavioral needs  
• Have proof of up-to-date vaccinations for all resident animals.  Rabies vaccinations are required. (DA2PP, FVRCP, Bordetella, etc as appropriate)
• Understand that your foster animal is under the custody of AWLA.  Foster caregiver input is welcomed and will always be taken into consideration; however, AWLA staff members are the primary decision makers regarding the health and well-being of our animals.

• Dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, and small companion animals (SCAs) like rabbits, guinea pigs, etc.
• Underage pets.
• Animals recovering from illness or injury  
• Animals that need a break from the shelter  
• Pets with special medical or behavioral challenges
• Pets waiting for space at the shelter
• Animals in our H.E.L.P. program 
• Nursing animals