Open your home. Save a life.

When a dog leaves the shelter or an unsafe situation, they need time to learn how to be a dog again. Foster homes provide the stability and healing that make recovery possible.

As a foster-based rescue, we can say “yes” to dogs who need time, care, and patience. In a home, dogs are able to decompress, feel safe, and begin learning what life outside of survival mode looks like. Personalities emerge, medical needs become clearer, and trust starts to rebuild, sometimes for the very first time.

Fosters are the bridge between rescue and forever

A woman with brown hair wearing sunglasses on her head, smiling while holding a brindle-colored dog with a colorful leash and collar.

Not ready to adopt? Consider fostering.

Get matched with a dog for your lifestyle

Every foster home is different. Our team works to match you with a dog whose needs fit your experience, household, schedule, and comfort level.

Fostering is a meaningful way to help a dog in need without making a lifelong commitment. Whether you're exploring dog ownership, between pets, or simply looking for a way to make a difference, fostering can save a life.

Give them a safe place to land

Many of our dogs have never experienced the stability of a loving home. Foster homes give them the chance to decompress, feel safe, and begin learning what life as a family dog can look like.

Help them become more adoptable

As a foster, you'll get to know your dog's personality, routines, likes, and quirks. That insight helps us make thoughtful matches and gives adopters a better understanding of the dog they're welcoming into their family.

Find support every step of the way

You won't be doing this alone. Our team is here to provide guidance throughout the fostering journey, and we cover the cost of food, supplies, and veterinary care through our approved providers while the dog is in your care.

Fostering doesn’t just save lives, it changes them

Fostering FAQs

The first step in becoming a foster is to complete our foster application. A Mutt Scouts coordinator will conduct a home check with you (usually by video call) and discuss how fostering works and what dogs are in need of foster homes that match your lifestyle and living situation (If you haven’t indicated a preferece on the application). Once you take in a foster, you are responsible for providing care on a daily basis: safety from all harm; shelter, water, and food; and of course, love. Our organization requires that foster mutts live primarily indoors unless supervised. Mutt Scouts provides all veterinary care and covers medical costs from our approved veterinary clinics. All supplies (food, crates, leashes, etc.) are also covered by Mutt Scouts.
When a potential adopter is approved for your foster dog, your Mutt Scouts coordinator will work with you to help schedule a meet and greet. As the foster, you’ll help choose a location and setting that feels comfortable and appropriate for you and the dog.
Ideally, we prefer our mutts stay in the care of one foster home until an adoption is finalized. The length of time a dog stays in foster care is variable, as we do our best to ensure the dog goes not to just any home, but to the right home. If you have a finite period of time available to foster, or if you have upcoming work or travel commitments, please let your Mutt Scouts coordinator know so we can plan for alternative care. We require at least a 2 week commitment.
Yes! A Mutt Scouts coordinator will discuss the needs of your current dog with you prior to welcoming a foster mutt into your home. Your dog(s) must be up-to-date on vaccinations before welcoming a foster into your home.
For liability purposes, we ask that all dogs belonging to our organization do not engage in off-leash play with dogs other than your own. Fosters may not bring their foster dogs to a dog park as we are unable to ensure proper introductions with other dogs outside of our organization. We encourage socialization, as it is vital for our dogs, but dogs must always be on leash.
Yes! We understand that fostering is an emotional process and it’s easy to become bonded to your foster. However, you must go through the same adoption and screening process as other applicants.
Some foster mutts may have special needs that require extra care or medication. Additionally, dogs going into any new environment may initially be stressed and unknown issues may arise. We believe in full transparency on both ends; should issues arise, your Mutt Scouts coordinator will be there for you every step of the way. We provide both medical and behavioral support for our dogs in foster homes.
Mutt Scouts will cover all pre-approved veterinary care costs at one of our approved veterinary clinics. In the case of an emergency, contact your Mutt Scout coordinator for help in finding veterinary care.
Please contact your Mutt Scouts coordinator to return all supplies furnished by our organization.