How to Help
I Want to FosterWhat is a Foster Home?
A foster home provides a temporary, loving environment for pets while they wait for adoption or transfer to one of our rescue partners. Foster families give pets the basics — food, shelter, care, and attention — along with the comfort and stability of a home setting.
Fostering is a great option if you want the companionship of a pet without a long-term commitment or if you are looking for a meaningful way to volunteer from home. MAS provides supplies whenever donated items are available, so you can focus on giving your foster pet the care they need.
Responsibilities of a Foster Family
- Provide a safe, clean, and caring environment
- Ensure access to food, water, shelter, litter, and toys/enrichment
- Offer appropriate exercise and socialization
- Monitor and report any medical or behavioral concerns
- Transport foster pets to and from offsite adoption events as needed
Important Notes
- When you first bring home a foster pet, we recommend isolating them from your own animals for 7 days. This is especially important for cats and bottle-fed kittens.
- MAS can provide supplies such as food and kennels when available through donations.
- MAS provides all basic medical care for foster pets, with additional care offered as resources allow.
Time Commitment
Fostering looks different for everyone, and the time commitment can vary based on the pet and your availability. Some pets only need a foster for a day or weekend, while others may need care for several weeks or even a few months. Whatever your schedule, we can find an opportunity that fits.
Below, you’ll see examples of foster opportunities ranging from the shortest commitments to the longest.
Foster Field Trips
Foster Field Trips are a fun, zero-commitment way to give a shelter dog a much-needed break from the kennel and the best day ever. Whether it’s a walk in the park, a car ride, or just some extra cuddles at home, you’ll be helping your field trip pup relax, recharge, and show off their true personality.
All we ask is that you snap a few photos or videos and share what you learn about your dog. Your notes and pictures help us tell their story and connect them with potential adopters.
Field trips can take place on any day of the week. Just be sure to sign up at least 24 hours in advance so we can have your pup ready for the adventure. Sign Up Here
Transport Fostering
Transport fostering helps prepare dogs who have already been selected to leave MAS for one of our transport partners. Once a dog is identified for transport, our goal is to move them into a foster home right away so they can relax, recharge, and get ready for their trip.
This type of fostering is a great way to get started because there is usually a clear end date to your commitment. While transport schedules can occasionally change, we always keep our transport fosters updated as quickly as possible.
Pets Recovering from Illness or Injury
Some pets need extra time and care to heal after an illness or injury. When our veterinary team determines that recovery can safely and successfully happen in a home environment, we look for foster families to provide a quiet, comfortable place for them to rest and heal. Eligibility for this type of fostering depends on the level of follow-up care required and the veterinarian’s recommendation.
Puppies and Kittens
MAS frequently takes in puppies and kittens who are too young or fragile to stay safely in the shelter. Some require bottle-feeding every 2–3 hours because they cannot eat on their own, while others can eat independently but need the protection of a home environment until their immune systems are stronger. We rely on many foster families to care for these little ones, and whenever possible, we prefer to send them in pairs or small groups. Foster homes are also often needed for nursing mother cats and their litters.
Adoptable Adult Dogs
This is our most flexible foster program, since the time commitment can vary widely depending on the individual dog. Factors such as the dog’s behavior, medical needs, and adoption interest can all affect how long they stay in foster care. On average, foster parents have adoptable adult dogs in their homes for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.
Any dog that is legally City of Memphis property and does not have documented behavior concerns that pose a risk to public safety is eligible for foster.
Nursing Moms and Families
We have an urgent need for foster homes to care for nursing moms and their litters of puppies. A shelter environment is not ideal for raising babies — it is noisy, stressful, and full of germs that mom cannot protect them from. Stress in the kennel can also cause moms to act differently than they would in a home.
Fostering a mom and her puppies gives the family a safe, calm place to grow until the puppies are weaned, usually around 8 weeks old. When the puppies are very young, mom does most of the work. As they get older and more active, foster families get to enjoy the fun of watching them play, learn, and grow.
Adopting Your Foster Pet
Many foster families fall in love with their foster pets, and we love when that turns into a forever home. If you decide to adopt your foster pet, the process is the same as with any other adoption, and we will guide you through the steps to make it official. The only exception is for animals in the transport program, and we will always let you know in advance if that applies.
Get Started
Fostering with MAS is simple. Complete our foster application online, and a team member will follow up with you about next steps. You are also welcome to complete the application and then visit us during adoption hours at your convenience.