RESCUING THE RESCUERS™

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FOSTER

You don’t have to adopt to save a life.

Sometimes a dog just needs somewhere safe to land. You provide the temporary home. Ozzy’s provides the partnership.

Start My Foster Application

YOUR FOSTER JOURNEY

Fostering should feel possible, not overwhelming.

1Apply

Tell us about your home, schedule, other animals and what you feel comfortable taking on.

2Talk With Us

Ask questions and help us understand what kind of dog may fit your home.

3Get Ready

Learn the essentials before your first foster arrives.

4Meet Your Match

Your household and the dog’s needs are considered together.

5Bring Them Home

Receive the information relevant to that dog and placement.

6Stay Supported

Questions are expected. Ask for help early.

Could fostering work for me?

I rent.

You may still be able to foster when your housing permits the dog.

I work.

You don’t necessarily need to be home all day. Your real schedule helps us identify an appropriate match.

I’m new to fostering.

That’s okay. Some dogs need experience; many don’t.

What if something goes wrong?

Ask for help early. A difficult placement does not automatically mean you failed.

Start with one.

You don’t need to promise forever. You don’t need to save every dog.

Become a Foster

You Don't Have to Adopt to Save a Life.

Sometimes a Dog Just Needs Somewhere Safe to Land.

Opening your home to a foster dog gives that dog somewhere safe to rest, adjust and prepare for whatever comes next. You provide the temporary home. Ozzy’s provides the partnership.

Your Foster Journey

1. Apply: Tell us about yourself, your household, other animals, schedule and what you're comfortable with. 2. Talk With Us: Ask questions and help us understand what kind of dog may fit your home. 3. Get Ready: Learn the essentials before your first foster arrives. 4. Meet Your Match: We consider your home and the dog's needs together. 5. Bring Them Home: Receive the information relevant to that dog. 6. Stay Supported: Questions are expected; ask for help early. 7. Help Them Find Home: Be part of the journey toward adoption or another appropriate outcome.

What Do I Actually Have to Do?

Most foster caregivers provide everyday things: a safe place, meals, water, walks and appropriate exercise, rest, enrichment, a predictable routine and observations that help us understand the dog. You don't need to be a professional trainer. You need to be willing to learn, communicate and care.

Common Questions

• You may be able to foster if you rent, when housing permits the dog. • You may be able to foster if you work; schedule is part of matching. • You may be able to foster with children or resident pets depending on the dog and household. • First-time fosters are welcome for appropriate dogs. • If something isn't working, ask for help early. • Foster dogs should not be independently rehomed or transferred. • If you fall in love, talk with Ozzy’s about the adoption process; fostering itself does not guarantee adoption.

The Goodbye

You may be thrilled when your foster gets adopted. You may cry. Probably both. You gave a dog somewhere safe to live while their future was being figured out. When that dog goes home, your home may become the place where another rescue begins.

Apply to Foster

Tell us about your household, schedule, other animals and what kinds of foster situations you are comfortable with. Applying starts the conversation and does not guarantee a placement.

Questions about fostering? Email foster.

Phone Number

Home Address

City, State & ZIP Code

Describe whether you rent or own, any landlord/HOA or pet restrictions, the people in the household including children’s age ranges, and the secure indoor/outdoor spaces available for a foster dog. Do not include household members’ full names.

For each resident animal, include species, approximate age, sex, temperament, and current vaccination/preventive status. Specific health requirements may vary by the originating shelter or rescue.

Describe your typical work/school schedule, how long the dog may be alone, and the length of time you are generally available to foster.

Tell us your preferences and firm limits regarding size, age, energy level, behavior, medical needs, length of placement, and any situations you are not comfortable managing.

Dog-care, behavior and medical experience

Foster setup, separation plan and transportation

Upcoming travel or expected absences

Foster Commitments & Acknowledgements

Ozzy’s foster program may operate in coordination with an originating shelter or rescue. The legal owner or originating organization retains the authority assigned to it for placement, veterinary decisions and adoption. Ozzy’s foster caregivers provide temporary care and do not independently transfer or adopt out foster dogs.

I understand that I may not give, sell, transfer, rehome, lend, board, place in daycare, or otherwise place a foster dog with another person or organization, or travel with the dog, without prior approval from Ozzy’s and/or the originating shelter or rescue as applicable.

I agree to follow all approved feeding, medication, veterinary, crate, leash, supervision, separation, training and safety instructions. I will promptly report medical concerns, significant behavior changes, bites or skin-breaking incidents, a lost or stolen dog, or other safety issues, and I will obtain authorization before non-emergency veterinary care unless placement instructions state otherwise.

I understand that I must return or make the foster dog available when requested, help support approved meet-and-greets or adoption activities when reasonably possible, and return borrowed supplies. Fostering does not guarantee adoption priority; any request to adopt must follow the originating shelter/rescue or legal owner’s adoption process.

I understand that rescue dogs may respond unpredictably to new environments or stress and that fostering carries inherent risks. I agree to follow safety instructions and understand that, if approved, I may be required to sign a separate foster agreement, release/waiver, and any documents required by the originating shelter or rescue before a dog is placed in my home.

I agree to communicate and work with empathy, compassion, kindness, respect, integrity, accountability, collaboration and a solution-focused mindset. I certify that the information I have provided is accurate and consent to Ozzy’s Rescue & Sanctuary using it to evaluate and contact me about fostering in accordance with the website Privacy Policy.

Questions about fostering: foster@ozzysrescueandsanctuary.org

Submitting this application begins Ozzy’s foster screening and matching process; it does not guarantee approval or a placement. Before a dog is placed, approved fosters may be required to complete orientation and sign Ozzy’s and/or the originating shelter or rescue’s foster agreement, release/waiver, veterinary authorization, and other placement-specific documents.

Thank you for applying to foster with Ozzy’s Rescue & Sanctuary. We received your application and will review it before contacting you about next steps.
We couldn’t submit your foster application. Please review the required fields and try again. If the problem continues, email foster@ozzysrescueandsanctuary.org.