What does it mean to foster?

Fostering FAQ

What is fostering?

The role of the foster is easy.  You just provide the basics: love, food, patience, warmth, and a stable home until the dog gets adopted. You commit in helping the dog to transition into a healthy and happy member of society.  We provide the dog (mutually agreed upon of course) and you've just saved it's life!  It's just that simple. We will take care of transportation from the Central Valley, make sure dogs are vaccinated, microchipped and altered.  It's just like dog sitting but you're literally saving a life!  Click on the yellow box to the right to inquire about fostering →→→

Click here to read our Foster Manual
Please note that all fosters are expected to read this manual and sign the agreement before fostering.

How does the dog get adopted?
We have monthly adoption events at 3 PetSmarts that help to get the dogs to their forever homes but we do appreciate the fosters also posting on Social Media outlets i.e.  Facebook, Nextdoor and Craigslist or of course word of mouth!!  Dogs promoted by their fosters tend to have better chance of getting adopted more quickly...leaving you available to foster again 😎. We can even help you in creating an adorable bio! If you've think you've found the right fit, a volunteer will step in to finish the adoption process (adoption agreement, fee, medical records).  If you're posting,  we can help field the calls to make sure that your pup is going to the perfect forever home.
UPCOMING ADOPTION EVENTS @ PETSMART

What if I need support after I've taken in a foster?
We are just a call or a text away.  We want this to be a successful experience for you and the pup you're caring for.  Remember that dogs coming from the shelter can show a variety of behaviors and emotions.  They can be scared, shy, depressed, withdrawn or absolutely fine! We advise to take it slow and not immediately introduce the new dog to everyone right away.  It's always best to let them relax in a safe pen, play soft music, low voices and relax.  NO shopping at the mall, NO dog parks and NO off leash privileges They are safe now.  They just need to sleep and and decompress.  Remember that we usually don't know much about the history of the dogs before we take them into our custody.  We do know that they will be vaccinated, fixed and in need of love.

Help Charlie Girl!!

Charlie Girl Needs Your Help!!!

She has increasing vet bills and needs a "fur"ever home

Chenille aka Charlie Girl is a 5 year old shepherd/cattledog mix who found herself at a high kill shelter in Modesto, CA.  Due to severe overcrowding, this sweet girl had a fast approaching expiration date.  Her kind eyes, amazing leash manners and crate training weren’t enough.  She was going to be euthanized.  Day after day, no one came for her.  Her owners never returned.  She was at the mercy of a rescue group in the midst of puppy season…..

Charlie Girl Rescued!!

Luckily, a non profit volunteer group (Friends of Madera Animal Shelter) contacted the county shelter and said they’d take this beautiful girl.  They put her into foster home where she thrived. She lived with another large dog and even a cat.  After a couple of weeks she found what we thought was an amazing adoptive family.  They had Shepherd experience and just put theirs down.  They were wanting and needing Charlie Girl. Upon that meeting family they decided that Charlie Girl wasn’t “aggressive enough” or “big enough”.  They now informed the group that they actually wanted a vicious guard dog and Charlie Girl is too sweet for that.  

At the same time, the foster had a vacation planned and poor Charlie Girl went in to a local pet hotel.  She felt abandoned.  Soon after, another foster stepped forward to help out.  She too fell in love with her sweetness and willingness to please however within 24 hours, Charlie Girl had 2 Grand Mal seizures and was rushed to the vet.  

Charlie Girl's vet bills have risen to over $1000 and she still needs follow ups.  She also need daily oral medication for the rest of her life. The volunteer rescue group needs help paying her vet bills. 

Click here to help Charlie Girl with her Vet Bills!!!

Charlie Girl soaking up the sun at her new foster home

***update!!Charlie girl was adopted 6/4!!!

Please also share her story on Social Media. 
Thank you!!

Again, if you'd like to inquire about adopting Charlie Girl, please fill out the adoption form on THIS PAGE.
Thanks!!

Adopted this month!

Thanks so much to the fosters and volunteers who helped make these adoptions happen - especially Curt, Michele, Colleen, and all the people who could provide a good home for these pups!

Brasel (6 year old Corgi mix) 

Brasel is a quiet boy, about 6 years old and roughly 20lbs.  We think he is a Corgi mix and is just a sweetheart.  He's been going to work with his foster dad and is a hit! He just loves everyone!! 

He seemed to be owned by someone before he became a stray as he is great on a leash, calm and just in general a very good boy.  He is low maintenance and a sweet dog and an all around good catch!!

CLICK HERE TO ADOPT BRASEL!!!

Charlie Boy

HAROLD

Lucky and Chance!!

These sweet boys are 10 month old Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen mixes. Lucky pictured in front with the grey face, Chance behind all dark are just a ball of fun!! 

Lucky and Chance

ADOPTED TOGETHER!!

Roxy

  

(I just cut and pasted all their descriptions for posterity)

Figgie

Harold

Archie

Lucky and Chance

Roxy

  

Charlie Girl

Tony the Tiger is 9 year old Plott Hound.  He's  a 62 lb good boy, just a senior citizen who was left behind during puppy season but an adorable young couple took him and and are just in love with this boy.

Skippy

Skippy is a Parson Terrier, weighing in at 15lbs and 1 year old.  He's fun, loves to go for walks and is just adorable no matter what he's doing.  He just has on of those faces!! He is now living in the Sunset District in SF so if you see him, say "Hi" to Buddy!!

*****Satchel adopted 5/20!!****

Now named Otis lives in a fun home near Golden Gate Park!

Figgie adopted 5/20 and gets to go to work with his new owner!!

Hi guys! I'm Figgie Pudding and I just love to play and fetch and cuddle and run and visit and..you name it...I LOVE IT!  I am the best companion and just love when my foster mom bikes with me in her tote to Stanford (where she studies). I'm everyone's favorite mascot!! (Who like to root for a tree anyway when I am soooo much more personable!!) I am a fun boy, life of the party, great with other dogs and did I mention that I am quick to learn tricks?? Yep- like the one I learned to jump straight from the ground into someone's arms!!! I keep trying to get her to catch me on video but that hasn't happened yet. You'd get a kick out of me.

adopted 5/6

Hilda was Adopted 5/6

Master Yoda went to his"fur"ever home 5/6!!
.

***Aspen was adopted on 5/6***

ARCHIE WAS ADOPTED!! 5/4

Archie
adult neutered male
Rescued 4/24

PEANUT ***WAS ADOPTED 5/4***

What's crackin? I'm peanut and I'm a happy go lucky boy.  I'm fun, friendly and ready to play at a moment's notice.

Diamond was adopted!!

Misha now Milly went to a precious family who bakes her homemade cookies!!

Sassy

Lois 

(CLICK HERE to see more pics of Lois)

Xander

(CLICK HERE to see more pics of Xander)

Wilson

(CLICK HERE to see more pics of Wilson)

Henry

(CLICK HERE to see more pics of Henry)

Nutella

Reuben adopted 4/15