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Foster Programs

Foster programs increase your capacity for care, and bring in your community to play a critical (and enjoyable) role in lifesaving.

Shelters play a critical role in saving lives, but have inherent limitations: there are only so many kennels, and even the best shelters are stressful for the cats and dogs in their care. Your foster program means more pets go into homes, where they are safe and loved until they can be adopted. Remove barriers to participation to have the greatest impact and save the most cats and dogs.

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Get the help you need

Find the answers you need for common questions related to foster programs.

Foster Programs Training Playbook

Learn key training strategies to build and manage a lifesaving foster program in your community.
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Expand Your Walls With a Community Foster Program

Explore how community partnerships can strengthen and expand your foster program for pets.
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How to Get Creative with Your Foster Program

Hear how one organization turned "behavior" dogs into stars with creative foster solutions.
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Build a Successful Foster Program from Scratch

Master the essentials, from program setup to empowering fosters in the adoption process.
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Foster Programs
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Volunteer Programs

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Pet Adoption

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Strategic Intake & Pathway Planning

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Animal Care & Disease Prevention

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About the Best Friends Network

The network is a free community of over 5,000 animal welfare organizations, including shelters, rescue groups, spay/neuter groups, transport groups, and other support organizations.

The Best Friends Network is your support system in your journey to save the lives of dogs and cats in your communities. Network partners gain access to exclusive challenges, grants, resources, and dedicated support.

Connect with partners across the country, access proven strategies, and collaborate to increase lifesaving nationwide.

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Meet the team

The Best Friends Network team is your lifeline to support for your organization, collaboration with other network partners and connection with Best Friends experts, resources, funding opportunities and so much more.
Meet The Team

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Connect with us on social media to stay in the loop about the lifesaving progress we’re making together.  

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