Foster homes are an essential part of rescuing.  With each foster home it allows us to save another dog in need.   We provide all the essentials, food, bed, blanket, toys, collar, leash, medical. 

We need homes that can take in a shelter dog, care for them, help them to feel secure again and give them the attention they need to be able to be adopted into a permanent home. 

Is fostering for you?

Please read all of this before deciding if fostering is for you!  

We try to prepared you for the WORST scenario possible, but most of the dogs  are great little guys just looking for a place to make them feel happy and secure.

Fostering a dog in need can be one of the most rewarding acts that you can do.    With each foster home we are able to save another dog’s life.   We prefer to use foster homes instead of a kennel facility so that we can help these wonderful rescues blossom into their true personalities.  So many of the dogs at the shelters are terrified, scared and timid, often too afraid to even eat.    Once removed from the shelter and placed in a caring foster home where they can feel safe and their confidence built back up,  they are some of the most loyal and thankful pets around!     

Fostering a dog can be anywhere from a week to a year.    You will need to commit to fostering that dog until they are adopted as we do not have a kennel facility or open foster homes to place them in.  Moving a newly rescued dog around can cause trust issues.     Once your foster dog is adopted, we will ask you if you want another foster dog.   If so, we will go to the shelter to get you another one usually within a couple days.   We do not take requests (from foster homes) for specific types of dogs such as male/female, size, etc.  We rescue the ones that are in the greatest danger of being euthanized.

When S.A.F.E. pulls a dog from the shelter we don’t know what their personalities are  or issues might be.   We do basic temperment testing at the shelter, but Foster homes need to be prepared to work on any issues the dog may have such as scared, doesn’t like men,  may not like children, doesn’t like cats, barks, doesn’t know how to walk on a leash, biting, lots of energy, may not get along with your own dogs.    Most of them are NOT house trained.  Most of them will have kennel cough (if your own pets are current on vaccinations this shouldn’t be a problem).    Many of them have fleas or ticks (we put Frontline on them to solve this).     Most of them will be matted and smell (they can be bathed once stitches are removed from spaying/neutering.)   All of our rescues are under 20 lbs.

If you haven’t been scared off, you’re probably just who we are looking for!    We are looking for patient, caring, dedicated people who can open their heart and home to a dog in need.   We depend on you to tell S.A.F.E. what kind of permanent home your new foster dog would do best in.   

S.A.F.E. will supply everything you need for your foster dog, i.e. bed, leash, food, feeding bowls, toys, medical, blanket, crate if needed.

We do ask that you bring your foster dog to our adoption events on Saturdays at Petco in Westlake Village.  You would drop them off at 10:00 and pick them up at 4:30 if they are not adopted.   We call you if they are adopted.

We do not adopt to our foster homes.  We do not want people who are trying out dogs to see if they want to adopt them.  We are looking for people who truly want to make a difference with homeless dogs.  It can be heartbreaking when your foster is adopted, but knowing you have saved a life is the warmest feeling of all.

At S.A.F.E. our priority is to rescue the sick and injured from the shelters as these are the least likely to be adopted by the public.   However, fostering an injured dog is not for everyone.    We do rescue healthy dogs as well that are scheduled for euthanasia.   It will be your choice if you would like a special needs/injured dog or healthy.

Have we scared you off yet?   If not, keep on reading!

We like to tell you what some of the worst case scenarios are, which is what the above has done.   If you're expecting the worst, you'll be pleasantly surprised that most of the rescues are wonderful dogs when given a chance to feel safe and not difficult to handle at all, but are very sweet lovable little dogs!  We just like our fosters to be prepared.

After reading everything so far, it sounds like it’s a lot of work, and it can be.  However, quite often fostering is simply taking in a shelter dog and treating them as your own.     Seeing a scared or timid dog become a confident playful pet is a wonderful feeling.  You will be repaid a 100 times over with the wagging tail greetings and the looks of admiration you will get!     Of course, be prepared to cry when your foster dog gets adopted.    We all still do.   And remember that because you opened your heart and home to this dog, you saved their life and another one is awaiting!

Please contact us using the form  below to become a foster home today....you'll be glad you did!