Interested in becoming foster?
SAVE
lives
By placing an animal in a foster home, that frees up a space in a shelter. Fostering saves 2 lives!
FEEL
rewarded
Fostering is a rewarding experience. Foster parents get to watch the animals blossom, gain confidence and trust with humans, as well as watch their personalities grow.
Fostering animals helps them learn home life and valuable life skills, setting them up for long term success and increasing their chances of a lasting adoption
LASTING
success
What's involved?
Fostering animals is one of the best ways to save animals, and is a vital community support need. And the best part is, it's fairly simple! If you've never fostered before, here is some basic information about what the process looks like:
From intake to outcome:
1. Someone contacts Underdog looking for help:
Underdog receives a constant slew of requests to intake animals, both from private individuals, as well as shelters and other rescues. We do our best to support locally and take care of our community. Our first step is to see if we have a foster home available (that's where you come in!) If we have a good match for that animal's need, we offer intake. Underdog will check the animal out, determine what needs the animal may have (for example, spay, neuter, vaccines, vet exam, etc). We contact our partner veterinarian and spay/neuter clinics to make schedules as needed.
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You're never expected to pay for vet care. It is helpful if you're able to provide basics such as food and litter, but if that's a barrier, we're happy to help you out with supplies.
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As a new foster, we will put you through our foster orientation and traininng, and well be with you every step of the way.
2. The animal stays in your home!
While we get the animal's needs addressed (such as scheduling spay or neuter or vet appointments), you're responsible for the daily care and loving! We don't have a physical location, so we may need your help transporting to vaccine appointments, vet, appointments, etc. It can take several weeks sometimes to get appointments or to recover from medical needs, so it's great that the animals have a safe place to wait it out.
The average length of time in a foster home is 2-4 weeks, sometimes longer depending on medical or behavioral need, or on the availability of adopters. We're at the mercy of vet clinics and prospective adopters being available, but Underdog works quickly on our end to make sure we're never the reason an animal is being held back from their forever home!
3. Adoption time!
3. Ready for adoption?
Once your foster pet has everything they need to be adopted, we will advertise them on our website and on PetFinder. Don't worry- your address isn't displayed anywhere.
Adopters will be screened and have a phone call to discuss the animal to see if it's a good fit. If it is, Underdog will contact you to find out your availability for them to meet the pet. An Underdog representative will always be present at your adoption visits. If all goes well at the visit, they will take the animal home at time of meeting and Underdog will have them sign an adoption contract, pay a fee, and take care of all the logistics.
4. Lather, rinse, repeat!
Usually by this point, foster parents are hooked! Most people enjoy the process and are eager to help another animal in the future. Clean your foster space, and let us know when you're ready for the next pet, and more importantly, to help us keep saving lives!
Complete the form below to help us find placement for an Underdog in your home, and someone will be in touch! After filling out an application, please keep an eye out in your spam for a response!