This is Sophie, the pure breed Chihuahua I am fostering. Animal rescue programs often have limited space for dogs and depend on volunteers to provide temporary homes.

Why fostering an animal? For instant, I encourage you to foster a dog, adopt a homeless dog and maybe even welcome Sophie into your family. She really is a sweet, calm dog. If I didn't have 4 guinea pigs, I would consider adopting her.

12 reasons to foster a dog:

1. You increase that dog’s chance of being adopted.

By fostering A dog, You are the link between the dog and potential homes. I can spread the word about what a good dog he/she is, how he
/she loves people and how he/she walks nicely on a leash. When a foster dog live with you, the dog will be a part of your family. For an example, my Sophie has the chance to learn behavior that will make her more appealing to other families. If you foster a dog, you have the ability to transform that barking, out of control mutt at the shelter to a dog someone would be honored to live with.

2. Your own dog will learn more social skills.

3. It’s a good way to see if you are ready for an additional dog.

It’s not always clear whether a second or third dog would fit in with your family. Sometimes an additional dog is a disaster. Other times it couldn’t be better. With fostering, you have a chance to see whether or not another dog is right for your family. Maybe providing temporary care is better for you.

4. You help the rescue learn about the dog’s personality.

I will interact with Sophie every day, learning about her unique personality and behavioral issues. It’s hard to know much about a dog when she is living in a shelter environment with 15 other dogs. Placing dogs in foster homes help rescues learn if the dogs like children, beg at the table, chase cats, bark when crated, know basic commands or have high or low energy. The possibilities of what a foster family will learn about a dog are unlimited.

5. You are saving a dog’s life.


6. You will appreciate your own dog’s good behavior.
Many rescues are full to their limits and cannot take in more dogs until additional foster homes open up. When you foster a dog, the rescue can save money on he/her boarding fees and use it to save another homeless dog.

7. Many animal shelters can’t function without foster homes. Most of them depends entirely on foster homes because it does not have a shelter. If it weren’t for all the generous foster families, this program would not be functioning.

8. You might end up with a new family member.

Many foster families realize the dog they are fostering is a perfect fit for their family. This is a happy ending for both the dog and humans. If you don’t foster a dog, then you will never know what you are missing. You might never meet that special dog that could add to your life.

9. The dog gets to live with your family rather than at a shelter.

Dogs get stressed from shelter conditions. Shelters are noisy with limited one-on-one interaction. The dogs don’t get enough exercise, training or socialization. With time, many dogs develop psychological issues as pent-up energy, frustration, aggression or boredom builds.

10. Any volunteering makes a person feel good.

Fostering a dog is a way to give back to your community. If you love animals, there is nothing more rewarding than helping a homeless dog.

11. It’s a way to help without spending money.

12. Found a new best friend for yourself

If you don’t have the money to donate to animal shelters, you can donate your time by fostering. Some programs require foster families to cover all the expenses of the dog’s supplies. Other rescue organizations cover everything for you, providing food, a crate, bowls and veterinary care. In my case, I have to pay only food and treats for Sophie.