Long-term foster homes are vital to our lifesaving mission.

We understand that life comes with changes. If you are a long-term foster and find yourself in need of a break, we have a foster community 3,000 strong to help!

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Long-term Fostering

'Long-term fostering' means committing to host an animal in your home for 2 weeks or more. We understand this might seem overwhelming at first! You can start with a day trip, an overnight/sleepover, or just a few days and extend your foster time as long as its a good fit. If you need a break or have a vacation planned, we can help you find a 'foster takeover' – another foster home to temporarily babysit while you're away. Still feeling intimidated? Hear what our long-term fosters have to say!

From Shelter to Home: The Impact of Long-Term Dog Fostering

Apollo was a puppy who needed a temporary foster home prior to My Furry Valentine, a large-scale annual adoption event. After only 5 weeks in foster care, he found his future home!

Read Apollo's Story

From Stressed Out Shelter Dog to Beloved Foster Dog: Lita Ford's Story

Lita was found on the road injured with wounds all over her body. Lita spent 112 days at the shelter before a foster took a chance on her. After 3 months thriving in foster care, Lita found her future home!

Read Lita's Story

The Power of Long-term Fostering: Lydia Deetz' Journey

Lydia was found as a stray with what appeared to be a broken jaw. Due to the amount of pain she was in, Lydia struggled at the shelter. A plea went out to see if any fosters or volunteers wanted to take Lydia on a day trip and Brian answered the call. Little did he know it would set their whole relationship in motion.

Read Lydia's Story

What our fosters have to say:

"Fostering allows me to provide a temporary, loving home for dogs who might otherwise be overlooked and who ultimately struggle with living onsite. It's incredibly rewarding to see the transformation in each dog and know that I've played a part in their journey to finding a loving family."

Mellissa G.

foster mom holding foster dog in living room

"Fostering has made me a better pet owner. I'm only on my second foster, but just watching him open up and be a silly dog had been the best for me. He was a little frightened coming into my house with my 4 cats and 2 dogs... just remember that they need a few days to decompress at your house and learn all the rules."

Bev D.

Foster FAQ

How much does fostering cost?

How long do I have to foster?

That’s up to you! Cincinnati Animal CARE offers daytrip fostering, weekend slumber parties, 1-to-2 week commitments and beyond! Do you travel for work and have a free week here and there? We’d love to have you foster! Willing to take on an animal that may be in your home for three months? We’d love to have you too! We will work around your schedule and lifestyle to set you up for success as a CAC foster!

Can I foster if I have pets at home?

What if the foster I brought home isn’t working out?

How does fostering save lives?

Without fostering, it would be impossible for us to be the one and only county shelter, responsible for bringing in all lost animals in Hamilton County, house only one dog per kennel, and be a no-kill organization. Animals that do not thrive in an overwhelming shelter environment can often shut down to the point where quality of life is a serious concern. Many of these behaviors are not seen when an animal is in a home.

While we’re very proud of the work we do at CAC and work to make every animal’s stay comfortable and fun, a shelter is not a substitute for a home. Even if it’s only temporary, a foster home can literally save a life.

Do you have questions about our foster program not answered here? Contact us at foster@cincycare.org!

Ready to change the life of a shelter dog?

Become a part of our lifesaving team by signing up to be a foster with Cincinnati Animal CARE.

Apply Now!