Fostering to adopt offers a unique opportunity to truly get to know a dog in a home environment before committing to adoption. It allows potential adopters to see how the dog behaves in various situations, such as around other pets, children, or during daily routines. This trial period helps ensure a better match for both the family and the dog, reducing the risk of returns. Additionally, fostering gives dogs a break from the stress of the shelter, allowing them to showcase their true personality in a more relaxed setting.

Our foster to adopt program ONLY applies to dogs over 6 months of age. Foster to adopt does not apply to cats, kittens, or puppies. Prior to leaving, the dog must have a physical exam, be microchipped and vaccinated.

The foster-to-adopt period is 48 hours, but may be extended up to a maximum of 7 days based on the animal's specific needs. CAC's foster team will check in regularly to see if you've decided to adopt, are choosing to foster only, need help finding a foster takeover, or will return the dog to Cincinnati Animal CARE.

• The foster-to-adopt period is 48 hours, but may be extended up to a maximum of 7 days based on the animal's specific needs.
• A check-in will be sent to you by CAC's foster team 24-hours after bringing the animal home which we will provide any necessary resources or support as needed.
• During the foster period, you will provide proper care; including feeding, exercise, and socialization. CARE will provide all necessary medical care until the animal has been outcomed as a pre-adopt or finalized adoption.
• Please report any changes in the animal's health or behavior to the Foster Team promptly.
• Regular check-ins may be conducted by Cincinnati Animal CARE to ensure the welfare of the foster-to-adopt animal.

Of course! Just email [email protected] to let us know you're not ready to adopt but would like to foster the animal instead. Once you do that, you will be formally onboarded and sent all of the Foster resources! The foster-to-adopt animal will be made available for adoption to other potential applicants.

That's perfectly fine! Our foster-to-adopt program is here to make sure an animal is the right fit for your family. If it doesn't work out, please email our foster team at [email protected] to let our team know. Please give us a 24-hour heads-up prior to when you plan on returning the animal to the shelter.

The adoption fee is the same for fostering to adopt. Dogs over 6 months of age have an adoption fee of $75 and the required Hamilton County Dog license (if you're a resident of Hamilton County, OH) is $19.75.