Fostering
Run a Half Way House
Fostering saves lives twice: the dog on your couch, and the dog who takes their spot at the Ranch. You provide the home and the love. We provide everything else.
Why foster
A living room beats a kennel. Every time.
Last Chance Ranch is small. We can only take in as many dogs as we have space for — and a dog in a foster home is a dog whose spot is open for the next one who has nowhere else to go.
Foster dogs also get adopted faster. In a home they learn (or remember) house manners, decompress from the shelter, and show us who they really are — which is exactly what adopters need to see. Shy dogs like Sanders bloom in a quiet house. Long-timers like Oatmeal, who's been waiting since May 2024, get to skip the kennel entirely and go home to home.
Whether you can commit to two weeks or six months, one dog or a bonded pair, there's a foster role for you.
What we cover
- All veterinary care (at our vet)
- Food, crate, leash, collar & bowls if you need them
- Flea/tick and heartworm prevention
- Medications
- Backup: a volunteer you can call any time
- Transport to and from vet visits and adoption events, if you can't
What you provide
- A safe, dog-proofed home and a routine
- Patience — the first two weeks are decompression
- Photos and updates we can share (this is how dogs get adopted!)
- Honest feedback about how the dog does with people, pets, and life
- Willingness to meet potential adopters
Ways to foster
Pick your sentence
- Short-term / emergencyA few days to two weeks. Medical recovery, an overflow weekend, or covering another foster's vacation. Perfect if you can't commit long-term.
- Standard fosterUntil adopted — usually a few weeks to a few months. This is where the magic happens.
- Foster-to-adoptA two-week trial run with intent to adopt. Great for shy dogs, homes with resident pets, or if you just want to be sure.
- Half Way House (home-to-home)For long-term residents like Oatmeal: the dog lives with you and is adopted directly from your home, never going back to a kennel.
- Hospice / senior fosterGive a senior or medically fragile dog a soft place for however long they have. We cover all costs. It's the hardest job here and the one we're most grateful for.
Foster FAQ
Questions from the visiting room
Does fostering cost me anything?
No. We cover vet care, food, and supplies. Many fosters choose to buy their own food or extras, and that's welcome (and tax-deductible), but it's never expected.
I work full time. Can I still foster?
Yes. Most of our fosters do. Adult dogs are fine on a normal workday schedule with a walk before and after; we'll match you with a dog whose needs fit your day. Puppies and dogs in medical recovery need more.
I have my own dog / cat / kids.
Great — that's exactly the information adopters need. We'll only place a dog with you who's known (or likely) to do well with your crew, and we'll do a proper introduction. Some fosters specifically take our "only pet" dogs because they have no other animals.
What if I fall in love?
Foster fail is the best kind of fail. You get first dibs. Just tell us before we approve another applicant.
What if it isn't working?
Call us. We'll troubleshoot first — most problems are decompression, and they pass. If it truly isn't a fit, we'll take the dog back. Nobody's stuck.
Do I pick the dog?
You tell us what you can handle — size, energy, other pets, time — and we suggest matches. If there's a specific inmate on the roster you want to foster, say so on the application.
How do adopters find my foster dog?
Through this site, Petfinder, our Facebook, and adoption events. Your photos, videos, and stories are the single biggest factor. We'll help you make them good.
Ready?
Foster application
Fill it out below, or open the application in a new tab. Questions first? Email the Warden or message us on Facebook.