Short-term Fostering
Short-term fostering has a significant impact on shelter dogs. Even a few days out of the shelter greatly reduces their stress levels. Studies show that dogs who go to foster care have lower cortisol levels upon returning to the shelter compared to those who never leave. If you have a day, a weekend, or a week to spare, you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of Hamilton County’s homeless pets!
Short-term foster care is lifesaving!
When you take a dog home to foster, they have a 14x higher chance of being adopted. By bringing that animal home, you become their advocate, expand their circle of potential adopters, and get to learn more about them than we ever could at the shelter!
foster Feature:
Abby M.
Abby has fostered 20 kittens + 8 dogs through CAC, most of which have been short-term fosters. Our kitten fosters are essential, especially during kitten season!
"I began fostering to be a stepping stone for pets from the shelter to their future families. My job is to get them ready for their adopters! I have fostered both cats and dogs, but in my heart and soul I am a kitten person. They are the perfect fit for myself and my two resident cats (who hate when I bring home dogs). There's nothing I love more than seeing a young kitten explore their new surroundings and take their first hardcore nap on a fluffy blanket after eating a full meal in my home. You can see how happy they are on their little faces. I am always ready to take on my next fosters and highly encourage you to pick one up as well!"
Unique Short-Term Foster Families
You may think your lifestyle isn’t suitable for having a foster dog, but our foster match-making team can find a dog for anyone’s situation! If you love animals but have a busy work schedule or travel often, having your own pet can be challenging. Fostering an animal for a few weeks when you have the time can bring you joy and companionship while also helping you connect with your local community.
Flight attendants
We have foster parents who are flight attendants and travel frequently for work. When they’re back in Cincinnati, they stop by the shelter and pick up a short-term foster dog for a few weeks! When it’s time to return to the sky, we try to find the animal a new foster home or bring them back to the shelter.
teachers
During the school year, teachers may not have the time to dedicate to fostering. Our fosters who are teachers take advantage of the summer vacation by fostering a shelter dog for 2 weeks while they have the time! Summer is a hectic time at the shelter and taking a dog out for two weeks makes a huge difference to our on-site population.
truck drivers
Some trucks drivers take a doggie companion on the road with them, but not everyone has that luxury. For drivers that want a little companionship when they return home, fostering a dog for a few weeks is a great way to share a bond and make an impact at the same time!
What our short-term fosters have to say:
"I first chose to foster with CAC when I saw a Facebook plea that they were overflowing with dogs in crates and didn't have any more room for them. I wanted to help a dog get out of the shelter and rest in a comfy quiet home. 2 years later, I am on my 52nd foster. I decided to keep fostering because I saw how much Cincinnati Animal CARE works to give these animals homes and I want to continue to help their mission."
Sara B.
"This community is absolutely amazing. Supportive and always there when you have a question, need a takeover, or just to share new tricks. The foster team is amazing and can and will help! Listen to their advice! You have to remember that you can’t keep them all – it’s not Pokemon after all! By finding the perfect home for one, that opens a place up in your home to help another. And that is the greatest gift you can give to your fosters."
Rachel J.
Short-Term Foster FAQ
Do you have questions about our foster program not answered here? Contact us at [email protected]!
