Foster a Dog or Cat
A temporary home can change everything for a rescue animal
Fostering provides a temporary home for animals while they wait for adoption. It allows them to live in a more comfortable, low-stress environment and helps us better understand their personality, behavior, and needs.
What It Means to Foster
Foster homes play a critical role in:
- Reducing overcrowding in shelter
- Supporting recovery from illness or injury
- Improving adoption success through better matching
- Feeding and basic care
- Providing a safe and comfortable space
- Helping with basic training and routines
- Observing behavior and sharing updates
- Transport to/from vet appointments or adoption events
- Introducing pets to potential adopters
We provide guidance throughout the process and cover approved medical care.
As a foster, you provide daily care and a safe, stable environment. This includes:
What's Involved
How Fostering Works
Tell us about your home, schedule, and preferences
Submit a foster survey
We walk you through expectations and answer any questions
Orientation & Approval
We help match you with an animal that fits your home and lifestyle
Meet Potential Foster Pets
Our team is available to support you throughout the placement
Fostering with Support
Frequently Asked Questions
Fostering comes with questions — here’s what to expect.
We offer flexible options, including:
- Keeping a foster pet until adoption (days, weeks, or sometimes longer)
- Short-term placements, such as week-long or weekend stays to give pets a break from the lifesaving centers
- Temporary holiday fostering through our Home for the Holidays program
Most animals come from high-kill, overcrowded shelters across North Alabama, where space and resources are limited.
Fosters provide a safe home and daily care. We work to keep our Foster Closet stocked with food, toys, blankets, and other essentials for foster homes to use.
A New Leash on Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so eligible fostering expenses may be tax-deductible.
A New Leash on Life covers approved medical care. We coordinate veterinary visits and provide guidance if any issues arise.
Many foster homes already have pets. We work with you to find appropriate matches and provide guidance on introductions to help ensure a smooth transition.
We aim to match you with animals that fit your home, schedule, and preferences. Flexibility is helpful, especially when responding to urgent needs.
If challenges come up, we’ll work with you to find a solution. This may include additional support or transitioning the animal to a different placement if needed.
Animals are listed on our website and featured at adoption events. When applications come in, an adoption counselor will contact you to arrange a meet and greet.
There are typically multiple adoption event opportunities each weekend, giving your foster pet valuable exposure and giving you the chance to speak directly with potential adopters. Your foster coach will help you take advantage of these opportunities.
Yes. Many fosters choose to adopt — often referred to as a “foster fail.” We fully support that process.
Every new foster is assigned a foster coach who will guide you from the beginning of your placement through adoption. You can call or text your foster coach at any time. You’ll also receive a foster handbook via email that covers common questions and procedures.
For those on Facebook, we offer internal A New Leash on Life groups for foster collaboration, updates, and support.
