Not Sure You're Ready to Adopt?
Foster a Pet. Make a Difference. Saves Lives.
Become a Foster
Our dedicated foster families save lives every time they open their homes and hearts to a homeless animal in Monterey County, Santa Cruz County, and other surrounding counties. Fostering is a wonderful opportunity to volunteer together as a family or care for a pet without a long-term adoption commitment.
Join us as a foster parent and start saving lives! We provide:
- Support from AFRP staff, volunteers, including foster mentors.
- Full-service veterinary clinic to handle medical needs such as surgery, medications (including preventatives), and vaccinations.
- Marketing, events, and adoption services to find your foster animal a great home.
- All necessary supplies (food, litter, toys, treats, bowls, litter box, etc.).
- Training and behavioral assistance
We encourage children to be involved in the fostering process, but the foster volunteer ultimately responsible for the animal’s care must be 18 years or older. Read our FAQ section below to learn more! And if you have any additional foster questions please do not hesitate to contact us at dawn@animalfriendsrescue.org.
What to expect when you foster a pet-FAQ
Fostering a pet is an easy, direct, and short-term way to make a lifetime of difference. It simply means temporarily opening your home to pets in need and giving them love and care while they wait to be adopted.We are seeking all types of fosters-fostering through adoption, relief/temporary fosters, emergency fosters. We are a foster-based organization so if you are able to foster an animal through adoption that is ideal. We do provide various types of support such as relief fosters, boarding, pet sitters, foster day trips/socialization help, training, and much more!
Yes! You can definitely still travel if you foster. We can offer relief fosters, boarding, or pet sitters (when appropriate).
You must be 18 and older to foster
Complete review of the foster handbook(s), virtual orientation, and home check (can be virtual if needed)
Foster Agreement of policies/protocols
Yes, you can foster animals even if you already have pets. We do recommend a 14-day seperation period to prevent spreading illness, and to offer a proper integration. It's important to consider compatibility, exercise needs and space. We will help with matching fosters, and resident dogs can meet potential foster dogs ahead of time.
Yes, you can foster animals even if you have children. In fact, it's a great family experience to foster an animal. Also, it's helpful to get the foster animal exposure to children. It is important to consider factors such as your child's age, temperament, and the animal's needs. It is important to supervise interactions, and never leave your child alone with your foster animal.
AFRP has experienced behavioral staff available by phone to assist with training and tips if fosters need support. Behavioral basics and positive reinforcement techniques are discussed during the foster orienations, and listed in the foster handbook. If additional guidance is needed, foster families should reach out to our foster team to discuss extra training options.
We love when fosters become forever homes BUT we hope you can continue to foster too! If you decide you would like to adopt your foster animal, just feel out an adoption application, and we'll take it from there!