Why fostering dogs matters This National Foster Care Month

May is National Foster Care Month, a time typically dedicated to recognizing the critical need for foster care for children. But it’s also the perfect time to spotlight another group that desperately needs foster families: dogs in shelters and rescues across the country. At Connecting K9, we’ve seen firsthand how foster homes transform a dog’s life. Not only with the fosters we had and have ourselves, but also the dogs in rescue. This month, we want to honor the fosters who open their hearts and homes to dogs in need.

What is dog fostering?

Dog fostering means providing a temporary home for a dog who’s waiting to be adopted. Instead of staying in a crowded shelter, the dog lives with a foster family who offers love, structure, and basic care until a permanent home can be found. Foster homes play a crucial role in the rescue process. They give dogs a safe, stress-free environment to decompress. But also to recover from trauma or illness, and start building trust with humans. For many dogs, their time in foster care is the first time they’ve felt secure in a home. This makes the dogs more adoptable!

Why Is fostering so important?

Every year, approximately 3.1 million dogs enter shelters in the U.S.. And although adoption rates are improving, hundreds of thousands are still euthanized. Often because shelters run out of space or resources. Not because they are bad dogs. Foster homes relieve this burden. Every time someone fosters a dog, they free up a kennel for another dog in need. This can help bringing the euthanasia rate down. It also increases the dog’s chances of being adopted and give a stressed or scared dog a chance to thrive in a home setting. For rescues foster homes are the perfect opportunity to understand the dog’s personality and behavior. Because this can be different from the behavior that’s showing in the shelter environment.

Who can foster?

You don’t need to be a professional dog trainer to become a foster. You just need a safe home environment. Dogs need time to adjust to a home. And this can only happen when the dog feels safe. You also need time to feed, walk and love the dog. And of course, you have to have patience! Especially with dogs who may be fearful or untrained. A lot of dogs end up in a shelter due to the lack of training. This doesn’t mean that the dog has behavioral issues. The last thing you’ll need to foster dogs is the willingness to work with a rescue organization to ensure the dog’s needs are met. Most rescues will provide everything you need to do this. Many rescues cover all veterinary costs and provide food, supplies, and training support. All you provide is your time, home, and heart.

Fostering through a trainer’s eyes

At Connecting K9, we often work with dogs who come from rescue situations or foster care. We have a few fosters ourselves, and we’ve been fostering multiple over the years. We’ve also got rescue dogs ourselves. We’ve seen incredible transformations. Dogs who once trembled in fear learning to walk on leash, play, and trust again. Or the aggression that comes with that fear, disappearing and being replaced with trust. Fostering gives these dogs a chance to build life skills and confidence before finding their forever home.

Fosters are often the bridge between a dog’s past and future. They see the potential in a dog when no one else does. Dogs begin to come out of their shells with some structure, positive reinforcement, and consistency. Whether it’s the first tail wag, the first time they sit for a treat, or the moment they finally curl up on a couch: they're powerful milestones that wouldn’t happen without foster care.

A hard moment to let go

One of the most common hesitations we hear about fostering is the fear of getting too attached. And yes, it can be tough to say goodbye. But that goodbye is also the moment a dog steps into their forever. You gave them the tools to get there. Some fosters are even "foster fails". These are people who fall in love and decide to adopt. That’s beautiful, too. But even if you don’t keep every dog, your home can still be a safe place for the next one.

How you can help

Not ready to foster? There are still many ways to support foster dogs. You can, for example volunteer at your local rescue or shelter. Organizations need people to go over to the shelter. During these moments you walk the dogs and learn more about their behavior towards people and dogs. You’ll see the incredible transformations of dogs during these times. Other ways to help are:

·      Donate supplies like crates, food, or toys to foster-based rescues.

·      Share adoptable dogs and foster opportunities on social media.

·      Sponsor a dog in foster care by covering their vet or training costs.

We want dogs to feel safe

Our mission as a dog training and boarding business is built around helping dogs feel safe, confident, and understood. Fostering plays right into that mission. Foster families are often the first to show a dog what kindness, boundaries, and trust really look like. We believe that no dog is broken beyond repair. With the right guidance, patience, and compassion, every dog can grow. And fostering gives them the foundation they need to succeed. We also encourage long-term fosters to train the foster dogs, and to do enrichment activities. This way the dogs can get used to structure.

Need help with training, socialization, or preparing your home? Reach out. We can help you’re your foster dogs to thrive!