Open your home. Save a life.
Fostering is the single most powerful thing you can do for shepherds in Washington. We cover the costs. You provide the couch.
We cover 100% of foster costs — food, vet care, supplies, and training.
Why fostering matters
Every foster home is a yes. Yes to the dog the shelter calls about today. Yes to the litter found on the side of the road in eastern Washington. Yes to the senior shepherd whose owner passed away.
When our foster homes are full, we say no. And the dogs we say no to don't get a second call. That's why we're always recruiting.
How fostering works
- 1
Apply
Fill out the foster application. Tell us your situation, your home, and your experience.
- 2
Home visit & onboarding
Our foster coordinator visits and walks you through what to expect. We meet your other pets.
- 3
Take your first foster
We match a dog to your situation — energy level, kid-friendly, dog-friendly, cat-friendly. You drive home with the dog, food, crate, and supplies.
- 4
We support you
Vet care is on us. Training questions go to the foster coordinator. Behavior issues — call any of us, any time. You're not alone.
- 5
Help us match
You know the dog best. When applications come in, your read on the dog drives the match.
Common questions
How long does a foster stay with me?
Anywhere from a few days to six months — it depends on the dog and on the applications that come in. The right family always comes, but we'd rather be honest: sometimes it takes a while.
What if I want to keep the dog?
It happens — we call them 'foster fails' and they're our favorite kind. You get first right of adoption.
What does it actually cost me?
Your time and your love. We pay for vet, food, supplies, training. If something comes up, we cover it.
Do I need experience with shepherds?
We require prior experience with a German Shepherd, a working-line breed, a bully breed, or a herding breed. These are strong, smart dogs — fosters who've handled one before set them up to succeed.