Every June, National Foster a Pet Month reminds us of the incredible role foster caregivers play in the lives of homeless animals. It’s a time to reflect, raise awareness, and take action—because fostering doesn’t just change an animal’s life. It changes yours, too.
Whether you’re considering fostering for the first time or looking to support in other ways, this is the perfect opportunity to get involved and make a lasting difference.
What Is Pet Fostering?
Fostering is the temporary care of animals who are not yet ready for adoption. These could be kittens or puppies too young for shelter life, animals recovering from illness, or pets who are simply struggling in a kennel environment.
For these animals, a foster home offers a lifeline – a quiet, safe, and loving space where they can heal, grow, and truly be themselves.
Fostering is especially important as many shelters across the country operate at or beyond capacity. Giving an animal a temporary home helps reduce overcrowding and creates space for others in urgent need.
5 Powerful Reasons to Foster a Pet
1. Pets show their true personalities.
In a home environment, animals can relax and be themselves. This helps potential adopters see who the pet really is—not just how they behave under shelter stress.
2. It’s a low-pressure way to explore pet parenting.
Not ready to adopt? Fostering lets you experience the joy (and responsibility) of pet care without a long-term commitment.
3. You can foster for just a short time.
Even a few days or weeks can be incredibly helpful—especially for animals recovering from surgery or waiting for adoption events.
4. Fostered animals get adopted faster.
Pets in foster care often receive training and socialization that make them more appealing to adopters. Plus, fosters can share personality insights that shelters can’t always see.
5. You help more than one animal.
Every foster pet frees up shelter space for another animal in need, multiplying your impact.
How Fostering Helps Dogs and Cats Thrive
Fostering does more than provide temporary shelter. It can literally transform lives.
● Reduced stress = better behavior
Shelter environments can be overwhelming, often causing pets to act withdrawn or hyperactive. In a calm home, animals feel more secure—and more adoptable.
● Individualized health care
Pets with digestive or skin issues benefit greatly from one-on-one attention. Foster homes can help manage specialized diets, medications, and gentle care routines—things that are often difficult to maintain in shelters.
● Social skills and training
Foster pets often learn valuable behaviors like house training, leash walking, or simply learning to trust people. These skills make them more attractive to forever families and ensure a smoother transition.
How to Observe National Foster a Pet Month
🐾 Foster a pet
Reach out to your local animal shelter or rescue group to learn about their foster program. They’ll help match you with a pet that fits your lifestyle and provide all the support you need.
🐾 Donate to shelters and rescues
If fostering isn’t possible for you right now, financial donations or supplies like food, toys, and bedding go a long way toward supporting animals in foster and shelter care.
🐾 Spread awareness
Share your own fostering story, or simply talk to friends and family about how rewarding it can be. Education and awareness are powerful tools in increasing the number of foster homes.
🐾 Volunteer your time
Even if you can’t foster or donate, many shelters need help with transportation, admin work, or organizing events. Your time can make a huge difference.
Final Thoughts
Fostering is one of the most compassionate and impactful ways to help animals in need. Whether you open your home for a few days or a few months, you’re giving a cat or dog the chance to feel safe, heal, and ultimately find a forever family.
During National Foster a Pet Month, consider how you can be part of this life-saving work. Because when you foster, you’re not just changing a pet’s life—you’re making your community a kinder place.
Helpful Resources