Help solve a crisis in San Diego.

We need fosters because the dogs need you!

San Diego is experiencing an unprecedented crisis: Local shelters and rescue groups are caring for more dogs than ever in their history. That’s why members of the San Diego Animal Welfare Coalition including San Diego Humane Society, Frosted Faces Foundation, Rancho Coastal Humane Society, PAWS of Coronado, City of Chula Vista Animal Services and San Diego County Department of Animal Services are coming together to ask for help. They are overstretched and overcapacity and it’s creating incredible pressure on all.

This is where you can be a huge help. By fostering a dog and bringing them into your home for a short time, you give them a needed break from the shelter, create space for other animals, and help shelters preserve extremely strained resources.

Whether you’re a first-time foster or you’ve done it many times, fostering can be great for all: the dog, you, and the shelter or rescue group.

Your home is temporary. Your love lasts forever.

You can foster for a few weeks or just a few days – anything helps.  Whatever you can do – you’re doing a big, important thing. The dogs need you more than ever right now.

You can also choose from different types of foster assignments based on your interests, experience with dogs and your home environment. Your shelter or rescue group can help with that.

Good news: You’ll pay nothing to foster and supplies are provided. You just provide the home and the love!

Who is Project Dog Foster?

Project Dog Foster was formed by bringing San Diego Humane Society and other members of the San Diego Animal Welfare Coalition together to address this urgent problem. We’re working together for the good of all dogs.

Click any of the logos below to learn more about fostering with these shelters or rescue groups:

There are also many other shelters and rescue groups throughout San Diego. If you know about one you’d prefer to foster with, please contact them. We just want to help all the dogs!

“How do I know if I qualify?”

Different organizations may have different requirements, but here’s a general guide from San Diego Humane Society. Use this for reference but contact a specific shelter or rescue group to learn about their guidelines.

  • The main volunteer for the family must be at least 18 years old. Under 18 but want to get involved? Talk to your shelter about how you can help!

  • Reliable transportation for transporting animal(s) to vet appointments or evacuating them in case of an emergency.

  • Must reside in San Diego County. Our foster pets must not be taken outside of San Diego County.

  • A schedule that allows you to meet the needs of foster animals in your care. There are many options for various schedules!

  • Completion of online training prior to fostering your first pet.

Click below to watch the Project Dog Foster TV spots.

What questions do you have?

The answers below apply to San Diego Humane Society and their policies – we’re providing them here to give you some general help. If you foster a dog from someone other than San Diego Humane Society, you can ask them about their policies.

  • We do! All training is virtual and accessible in your volunteer record after your application is processed, typically within one week of applying! Throughout the year, additional hands-on training is offered for bottle-feeding puppies.

  • The length of foster assignments varies based on the needs of the animal. You will receive an approximate assignment duration before you commit to an animal. Some of our youngest foster animals need around-the-clock care, including feedings every 2-3 hours, while other foster animals can be left at home for up to 10 hours at a time. We will match you with a foster assignment that works with your schedule, availability and interests.

  • You will be given options of animals from a variety of locations and will pick up animals from the campus where the animal is located. For example, San Diego Humane Society has campuses in San Diego, Oceanside and Escondido, so you can select animals at the locations that are most convenient for you.

  • All essential supplies and medical care will be provided by San Diego Humane Society. Specific supply needs will be discussed for each foster assignment.

  • To ensure healthy behavioral development of puppies under 8 weeks of age, we always try to send them to foster in pairs or litters. If we do have a singleton we strive to match them with an age-appropriate buddy while they develop. Please be prepared to take at least 2 puppies for the duration of your assignment.

  • SDHS recommends complete separation of foster animals and resident pets for the health and safety of all involved. If a foster volunteer chooses to allow their resident pets and foster animals to interact, this must be done in a safe and supervised way. Your resident pets should be up-to-date on all necessary vaccinations.

    Your chosen shelter or rescue group may not require separation from resident pets. Ask about their policy.

  • Yes! We love when our foster families fall in love with their foster pet and choose to adopt! However, if your goal is ultimately to adopt, it is unnecessary to foster the animal first. There’s no need to foster an animal as a "test run.” San Diego Humane Society and many other groups offer an Adoption Guarantee.

  • Yes, it can be. Fosters definitely need the ability to say goodbye, but rest assured our foster team will help you through it. Please remember that fostering is a temporary situation and letting go of one foster pet enables you to help another in need. Although each adoption saves a life, a great foster parent can save many lives by socializing and rehabilitating pets who need a little extra time and care.

What happens next?

The dogs need us! Please find out more about fostering during this great time of need. Click on any of the links above or contact a shelter or rescue group you prefer.

When you open your home, you open your heart.

Project Dog Foster thanks you on behalf of all the dogs!

Find a coalition member near you.
Or contact another shelter or rescue group, if you prefer. We’re out to help all the dogs and the people who care for them.