Foster Resources

Your starting point for everything you need to begin fostering! This section includes our Foster Onboarding Article, guiding new fosters through the full onboarding process. Learn how to schedule a foster appointment and get tips for finding the perfect foster match for both you and our animals. This section will continue to grow with additional resources to support your fostering journey!

Your go-to resource for tips, tools, and best practices as a foster! Learn about the importance of our Foster Transport Program, discover how co-fostering can help more animals, and get guidance on what to do with your foster when you go on vacation. This section is always growing, so check back for new resources to support you and your foster pets every step of the way!

Everything you need to help your foster find their forever home! This section includes adoption event sign-ups, tips for connecting with other adoption resources, guidance on what to do if someone is interested in adopting your foster, and instructions for getting your foster into one of our PetSmart Everyday Adoption Centers. This section will continue to grow with helpful tools and tips to make the adoption process smooth and successful for both you and your foster pets!

Your guide to keeping fosters happy and healthy! This section includes guidance on what to do during a foster medical emergency, spay/neuter instructions, articles on common illnesses, the importance of vaccines, and more. Resources will continue to be added, providing you with the tools and knowledge to confidently care for your foster pets.

Caring for young animals comes with unique challenges, but you are not alone in the process. This section includes educational resources focused on bottle babies, neonatal care, weaning, feeding schedules, development milestones, common medical concerns, and general puppy and kitten care. Whether you are fostering a litter for the first time or caring for underage babies requiring extra support, these resources are designed to help you feel more confident and prepared. Additional training materials, care guides, and seasonal resources will continue to be added as our programs grow.

GoodPup Training Exclusive offer for FWACC pets!

Understanding behavior is one of the most important parts of fostering and helps us better support both pets and adopters. This section includes resources focused on decompression, body language, behavior support, training guidance, introductions, and helping foster pets successfully adjust to home environments. Many behaviors seen in shelter are stress related and often change significantly once pets enter foster care. These tools are designed to help fosters better understand what they are seeing, build confidence in handling common behavior challenges, and support positive outcomes for pets in care.

The first few days in a foster home can have a major impact on how a pet adjusts and decompresses outside of the shelter environment. This section includes resources designed to help fosters prepare for bringing a new pet home, including introductions, decompression guidance, feeding guides, creating routines, setting expectations, and helping pets transition successfully into a new environment. Whether you are fostering for the first time or welcoming a new foster pet into your home, these tools are meant to help create a smoother and less stressful transition for both you and your foster pet.

Photos and marketing play a major role in helping foster pets gain adoption and rescue interest. This section includes photography tips, profile guidance, and educational resources designed to help fosters capture better photos and showcase their foster pet’s personality more effectively. Even small improvements in lighting, angles, and storytelling can significantly increase visibility for pets in care. Additional photography resources, marketing tips, and educational articles will continue to be added over time.

Your observations help us better advocate for pets in foster care. This section includes Foster Report Cards for dogs, cats, and Slumber Pawty participants, allowing fosters to share important information about behavior, personality, routines, and how pets are adjusting in home environments. These forms play a major role in helping adoption, rescue, and placement teams better understand each pet outside of the shelter setting. The information you provide helps create stronger adoption profiles and increases visibility for pets in care.

This is where you head each Wednesday to find where you can make the biggest impact as a foster. Each week, you’ll find highlighted stories, important updates, foster needs, pup shoutouts, and more. Check back weekly to stay connected, informed, and inspired by the lives you’re helping change.

We offer many different types of fostering opportunities to fit a variety of schedules, experience levels, and home environments. Whether you’re interested in Traditional Fostering (caring for a pet until adoption), Transport Fostering (preparing a pet for travel to a rescue partner), Event Fostering (bringing pets to adoption events), or short-term SlumberPawty stays (23–48 hour breaks from the shelter), there’s an option for you. We also have specialized opportunities like Neonate Fostering for puppies and kittens under 8 weeks of age who require bottle feeding and extra care. No matter your availability, there is a meaningful way for you to make an impact.