Foster Programs Stories

Eli the dog snuggling with Makenna Carew on a bed

The cuddly photo that got a shy dog adopted

Eli the dog’s foster volunteer snapped a photo of him cuddling with her cat — and ...
The power of fostering
Feature
Mike Butchello playing with a wand toy with Buddy the cat

Faces of No-Kill: Buddy the cat

Buddy the cat’s foster family understood his feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), ...
Now life is one big adventure
Feature
Bebe the dog hiking outside on a leash

Shy dog’s confidence blooms in foster home

Once wary of the world, Bebe’s journey shows how patience, trust, and friendship c...
Foster home provides life-changing impact
Feature
Child and dog looking over a brightly multicolored, striped blanket in the back of a vehicle

Spring break plans? How about an adventure buddy?

From couch hangs to day trips, spring break is made for foster pet fun.
Help care for a pet who needs it most
Julie Castle Blog
Frankie Giblin sitting on the grass beside a dog who is laying on her back

Tiny kittens, big dogs, and a dedicated foster volunteer

Meet Frankie, a Best Friends volunteer who fosters pets large and small, showcases...
Enjoying the transformations
Feature
Salt Water Taffy the cat licking a treat from a lickable cat treat

Faces of No-Kill: Treats help cat unwrap her sweet side

Salt Water Taffy was painfully shy, but her caregivers had a secret weapon to help...
Yummy incentive
Video
Eugene the dog smiling in front of a Christmas tree

Foster dog’s story has the wiggliest ending

Eugene’s wide smile sealed the deal as his new family welcomed him into their hear...
The smile that sealed the deal
Video
Potato the black and white puppy wearing a collar

When a tiny puppy needs big help

A sick puppy got the round-the-clock care he needed to grow into the busy, joyful ...
A whole new world for Potato
Feature
Rory the puppy lying on a blanket

Faces of No-Kill: Bottle-baby puppy hops into happiness

Devoted foster caregivers helped Rory go from a fragile newborn to a confident com...
Foster commitment can lead to a lifetime of love and happiness
Video
Bonnie the dog lying down with her mouth open

Peace of mind for service members and their pets

PACT for Animals provides foster homes for pets of deployed service members and th...
Keeping pets with their people
Feature
Abraxas the dog outside on pavers with a person sitting behind him

Faces of No-Kill: Dog goes from shy to shining

A foster home can change a pet’s life. It did for Abraxas.
Foster homes provide time and nurturing
Video
Black and white dog with the person fostering her in a home in front of bookshelves

Pet foster homes increase adoptions and save more lives

A survey of animal shelters and rescue groups finds that those that have foster pr...
Fostering makes a lifesaving difference
Feature
Polly Pocket the puppy on a desk with a person behind her petting her.

Faces of No-Kill: The puppy who started life in reverse

A wobbly, backward-scooting puppy becomes a confident, toy-chasing superstar thank...
Foster home provides Polly Pocket much-needed care
Feature
Chris with Orpha the cat

All aboard the foster pet RV

Best Friends foster volunteers Chris and Cori have created a haven for pets who ne...
Fostering with a twist
Video
Mr. Darcy the dog outside beside a sign reading, 'Annabelle's Trail'

Faces of No-Kill: Shy dog blossoms into dashing suitor

With the help of kind and patient supporting characters, Mr. Darcy became the cani...
The real Mr. Darcy emerged
Video