Fostering is one of the most rewarding things you can do! Every day, dogs are put down in shelters all over America because the shelter has run out of room. Fostering allows rescue groups like Rocket Dog Rescue to save more animals by placing them with temporary parents who help to rehabilitate them. By giving them a safe, loving home instead of life in a stressful shelter, fostering also allows rescue organizations the opportunity to learn more about the dog so that they can be successful in matching them up with their new forever families!
Medical care, food, and basic supplies can all be provided, all you need to bring is a little time and love. Give it a try this year!
To learn more, select the questions below to see their answers.
Dogs stay in foster until they find their forever homes; this typically takes up to 3-5 weeks. Once your foster dog is placed, we’d love to match you with another animal in need of rescue. We’re in it to win it for these pups!
If you would like to sign on as a short-term foster for a weekend or a week, we need that too. No commitment is too little or too much.
We most often place dogs in foster homes in San Francisco, Alameda, San Mateo, Marin, Contra Costa, and Sonoma Counties. We want to keep our foster dogs close by for vet appointments, meet & greets with potential adopters, and to offer hands-on help in case of emergency. If you’re outside of these areas, there’s a good chance there’s another rescue organization in your area that really needs you!
We rely on fosters to provide basic care for each dog which includes feeding them, exercising them, giving them a safe place to sleep, teaching them basic manners, showing up at vet appointments, etc. Each dog is different. Some dogs will require a lot of attention (like puppies) and some dogs will not require as much. We also need our fosters to bring their dogs to our adoption events at least twice a month; we offer these events several times each month (and they’re a lot of fun!). In addition to events, our fosters will participate in meet & greets with potential adopters.
Rocket Dog will give you the supplies – crate, a starter bag of food, toys, bowls, leash, collar/harness – that you need. In many cases, we can provide you with supplies at our sanctuary in Oakland — just ask your foster advocate. However, since we are entirely funded by donations, any donations you can provide to the dog will be greatly appreciated!
Depending on the dog’s situation, you may have to transport the dog to get vaccines, surgery, etc. Rocket Dog will cover these costs. Requests for veterinary care must be approved through your foster contact. Please call or text them as soon as the need arises.
Depending on how your dog does with other dogs, this could be a wonderful opportunity to train your foster dog and build his/her confidence. As the dogs get to know each other better, you’ll get a better idea of compatibility. When left unattended, please keep dogs separated at all times.
We often don’t have information on whether our dogs have been around cats or other small animals, but we can work with you on safe introductions with the appropriate foster dog.
We will do our best to arrange alternative temporary care for your foster while you’re unavailable. Please give us as much advance warning as possible by contacting your foster advocate.
Promote your dog via social network sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Craigslist, post fliers, etc.) Get creative in helping your foster dog find the perfect home! Provide your foster advocate with a short bio and pictures so the dog can be added to our website!
If, after a few days, you decide that you can’t bear the thought of giving your foster dog up to a new forever home, you would not be the first! If it’s the right forever match, you’ll need to go through the same application process as all other adopters. Please contact your foster advocate as soon as you know it’s love!
Yay! Please visit our website and fill out our online foster application.
- Volunteer! At the next Adoption Event you can help set up, handle dogs, collect donations. You can assist in transporting dogs to events, vet appointments etc. Join our Posting Team and post our dogs and events on Social Media, Craigslist, etc! For more information visit Volunteer With Us.
- Donate! We are entirely funded by donations, so every dollar counts! See all the great things we do with your money here! Many companies offer a matching gift program as well, so check with your employer to see if you can double your impact!
- Share! Commit to sharing dogs looking for homes via your personal social media. You never know who in your friends list is looking for a dog.
- Pledge to adopt your next pet! Contact your local shelter and local rescue organizations. Don’t breed or buy while homeless animals die.