Fostering a Dog Creates Lasting Change for the Dog and the Shelter

A six-year-old Labrador mix named Luna spent months in a packed shelter. She lived in terror of the other dogs and couldn’t make eye contact with anyone. Savanna Tolley, a dog trainer and owner of The Dog Wizard, says Luna had “completely shut down.”

Luna’s life changed when a foster caregiver took her in. Gentle routines followed, with calm mealtimes and daily walks. Within weeks, Luna’s true personality emerged. She greeted visitors with a wagging tail and began to engage with them. Her chances of finding a forever home increased dramatically after fostering.

“A foster home gives dogs a chance to relax and learn trust. Many dogs only show their true personalities when they feel safe,” Tolley says.

Fostering Changes Lives

Fostering changes a dog’s life. It moves them from a crowded, noisy shelter to a place where they can relax. 

The role of a foster is to help a dog adjust to life outside a shelter. They do this by providing the dog with a routine, a calm environment, and a chance to relax and be a dog.

The emotional satisfaction of fostering is hard to describe. You must experience it to understand how rewarding it feels to see a timid dog play and enjoy life. Watching a scared dog gain confidence over time is equally rewarding. People who foster make a huge difference for dogs, even though their commitment is temporary.

Helping just one dog can have a far-reaching impact. Every time a foster dog finds a temporary home, it opens up space in shelters and allows additional dogs to be rescued. In some communities, shelters must make difficult decisions about animals that remain unadopted for extended periods. Fostering gives these dogs another chance by placing them in homes before they reach this critical point.

What Fostering Entails For Volunteers

While fostering is rewarding for both dogs and caregivers, it requires a clear understanding of the commitment.

Fostering means taking care of the dog’s daily needs. It will need to be fed, walked, taken out for regular potty breaks, played with, and given a routine that provides structure. Consistency helps a dog feel safe. 

Most rescues cover veterinary costs, though volunteers are responsible for transportation. Foster caregivers are expected to guide the dog in basic commands, crate training, and leash walking. Positive training builds a dog’s confidence and strengthens trust between dog and caregiver. 

Caregivers also provide regular updates to the rescue, including notes on temperament, interactions with children, and house-training status. This information helps rescues match each dog with a forever home that suits their needs and personality.

Volunteers typically complete an application online and answer questions about their home, schedule, and experience with pets. 

Many rescues may also conduct phone interviews and home visits to ensure a good fit and a safe environment for the dogs. 

Preparing a Home for Foster Dogs

To make the transition easier, prep your home before the dog arrives. Arrange a quiet area with a bed or crate. It should be away from hazards. Shy dogs need small, enclosed spaces where they can hide until they feel secure enough to explore the rest of the home. 

Mental stimulation matters as much as exercise. Puzzle toys, games, and gentle play help dogs adjust. 

Foster parents should allow fearful or overstimulated dogs to move at their own pace and avoid forcing them to move. A soft voice should be used when communicating with them, and the dog’s space should be quiet. 

It’s also important not to overwhelm them by introducing too many new people at once. Once a dog feels comfortable, it will start to explore the home and engage more with the humans in the house.

“Trust is built slowly, but the results are incredible. Watching a dog learn to love and trust again is miraculous,” Tolley explains. 

Fostering Is Meaningful, But Not for Everyone

If someone wants to foster, they need to be honest with themselves about whether it is the right move. If someone has the time, patience, and a loving home, they are a good candidate for fostering a dog. A chaotic schedule and home are not a good fit. The dog’s safety and well-being are the priority. The Dog Wizard provides guidance from behavior experts, so foster parents are not alone in helping a dog regain its confidence and joy.

If someone isn’t emotionally ready to say goodbye to a foster dog, they should not volunteer. Goodbyes are difficult because foster parents form attachments. Tolley says that being attached shows the volunteer did something right. Still, it is rewarding to see a dog move into a forever home.

Fostering is an act of kindness that changes the lives of dogs.