Foster love.
Join the CARE STL foster family today!
Our fosters play a very important role in helping our animals transition from the shelter to forever home. Fosters not only provide love and care in a home while our animals wait for their forever homes, but they also get important information about each animal that will help set them up for success with their new family!
What is fostering?
Our fosters take animals from the shelter and take care of them in a loving home while they wait for a forever home. CARE STL provides all supplies needed, including crates, food, toys, bedding, litter and more! If you have a home and a heart, you are a perfect candidate for fostering!
Why foster?
Fostering helps animals transition from shelter to home life where they can decompress, feel safe and show off their true personalities. Fostering also provides invaluable information about these pets to help match them to their perfect forever home. Adoptions from foster homes have a significantly less return rate because of accurate information learned in foster.
Most animals truly thrive best in a home, and consequently deteriorate quickly in the shelter due to stress. Fostering is lifesaving! When you become a foster, not only do you help an animal in need, but they also provide joy, happiness, and love in return!
WAYS TO FOSTER
Take a dog for a weekend!
Short-Term Foster
Take an animal for 1-2 weeks!
Take a dog for a few hours to a park, pet friendly patio or stores, or into your home! Even a few hours out of the shelter can drastically improve a pup's quality of life.
Temp Foster
Take over fostering for an animal while their long term foster is out of town!
Long-Term Foster
Foster an animal until they find their forever home!
Whatever You Want
Any length of time or starting with a weekend / week and then extending to long term are options too!
Myth Busters - The Truth About Fostering!
Myth 1: I don't think my home is the right fit for a foster.
Truth: There are hundreds of animals at CARE STL of various temperaments, traits, training, and looks, meaning there is a right fit for you! CARE STL houses dogs who are potty and crate trained, kid friendly, shy, lower energy, snuggly, active and playful, good with other dogs, good with cats, younger, older, and so much more!
How do I get started?
1. Stop by the shelter and meet a match
Our adoption counselors will help match you with the right foster for your lifestyle. You can complete the foster survey online in advance for a quicker process at the shelter.
2. Bring home your foster
We will equip you with the essentials on the day you bring your foster pet home. Be patient with the transition and be ready for unconditional love!
3. Stay connected
Send us an email at foster@icarestl.org if you have questions or need more supplies. Join our CARE STL Foster Pack Facebook group to meet other foster families and CARE STL Adoptable Pets Facebook group to share your foster pet with the world.