Foster a Dog or Cat

Provide in-home care for a pet in need.

Foster a Dog Foster a Cat

Become a Pet Foster

Foster caregivers provide temporary, in-home care for dogs and cats,
giving them stability, comfort, and the time they need to find the right forever home.

ERF provides food, basic supplies, approved veterinary care, and guidance throughout the foster period.

Foster Basics

Fostering is a temporary commitment that gives and animal a safe place to land, and gives you a temporary companion who needs your help.

  • Timing: Temporary, usually days or a few weeks
  • Ages: Caregivers must be 21 years or older
  • Fit: Placements are based on the animal’s needs and your home environment, including other pets, children, schedules
  • You provide: A safe home, daily care, and regular updates
  • Communication: Checkins with the ERF team regularly
  • Guidance: ERF will review the pet’s needs with you in advanc
Pet Foster in Agoura Hills, CA
Foster a dog in So Cal

What Fosters Do

Fosters help animals adjust to life outside the shelter and prepare for adoption.

As a foster, you may be asked to:

  • Provide a calm, safe space
  • Feed and care for the pet according to ERF’s instructions
  • Help the animal adjust to home life
  • Observe behavior, appetite, energy, and health
  • Share updates with the ERF team
  • Bring the animal back to ERF when needed
  • Help your foster pet get ready for a loving forever home

ERF manages adopter introductions, adoption appointments, and final adoption decisions.

Foster a Dog Foster a Cat

Is Fostering the Right Fit for You?

Prior foster experience is helpful, but not required.

Fostering may be right for you if:

  • You are comfortable with a temporary placement
  • You can provide a safe indoor space
  • You can follow care instructions
  • You can communicate promptly with ERF
  • You understand that rescue animals may need time to adjus
Southern California Pet Foster Program
Foster a dog or cat today

How ERF Supports Fosters

ERF helps set you and your foster pet up for success before and during placement.

ERF provides:

  • Food and basic supplies
  • Approved veterinary care
  • Medical instructions, if needed
  • Behavior and adjustment guidance
  • Adoption coordination
  • A team contact for questions or concerns

Fosters provide care in the home; ERF manages the adoption process.

How to Get Started

  1. Submit the dog or cat foster application.
  2. ERF reviews applications based on current foster needs.
  3. A team member may contact you to learn more about your home, schedule, and experience.
  4. If there is a need and good match, ERF will reach out to coordinate the placement.
  5. You begin fostering with ERF support.

Submitting an application does not guarantee an immediate foster placement. Foster matches depend on the animals currently in our care and each pet’s individual needs.

Foster a Dog Foster a Cat


Pet Foster temporary

Be the Bridge to a Better Life

A temporary home can change the course of an animal’s life.
By fostering, you help ERF make room for more dogs and cats in urgent need while
giving your foster pet comfort, care, and a better chance at adoption.

Foster a Dog Foster a Cat