Help solve a crisis in San Diego.

We need fosters because the dogs need you!

San Diego is experiencing an unprecedented crisis: Local shelters and rescue groups are caring for more dogs than ever in their history. That’s why members of the San Diego Animal Welfare Coalition including San Diego Humane Society, Frosted Faces Foundation, Rancho Coastal Humane Society, PAWS of Coronado, City of Chula Vista Animal Services and San Diego County Department of Animal Services are coming together to ask for help. They are overstretched and overcapacity and it’s creating incredible pressure on all.

This is where you can be a huge help. By fostering a dog and bringing them into your home for a short time, you give them a needed break from the shelter, create space for other animals, and help shelters preserve extremely strained resources.

Whether you’re a first-time foster or you’ve done it many times, fostering can be great for all: the dog, you, and the shelter or rescue group.

Your home is temporary. Your love lasts forever.

You can foster for a few weeks or just a few days – anything helps.  Whatever you can do – you’re doing a big, important thing. The dogs need you more than ever right now.

You can also choose from different types of foster assignments based on your interests, experience with dogs and your home environment. Your shelter or rescue group can help with that.

Good news: You’ll pay nothing to foster and supplies are provided. You just provide the home and the love!

Who is Project Dog Foster?

Project Dog Foster was formed by bringing San Diego Humane Society and other members of the San Diego Animal Welfare Coalition together to address this urgent problem. We’re working together for the good of all dogs.

Click any of the logos below to learn more about fostering with these shelters or rescue groups:

There are also many other shelters and rescue groups throughout San Diego. If you know about one you’d prefer to foster with, please contact them. We just want to help all the dogs!

“How do I know if I qualify?”

Different organizations may have different requirements, but here’s a general guide from San Diego Humane Society. Use this for reference but contact a specific shelter or rescue group to learn about their guidelines.

  • The main volunteer for the family must be at least 18 years old. Under 18 but want to get involved? Talk to your shelter about how you can help!

  • Reliable transportation for transporting animal(s) to vet appointments or evacuating them in case of an emergency.

  • Must reside in San Diego County. Our foster pets must not be taken outside of San Diego County.

  • A schedule that allows you to meet the needs of foster animals in your care. There are many options for various schedules!

  • Completion of online training prior to fostering your first pet.

Click below to watch the Project Dog Foster TV spots.

What questions do you have?

The answers below apply to San Diego Humane Society and their policies – we’re providing them here to give you some general help. If you foster a dog from someone other than San Diego Humane Society, you can ask them about their policies.

What happens next?

The dogs need us! Please find out more about fostering during this great time of need. Click on any of the links above or contact a shelter or rescue group you prefer.

When you open your home, you open your heart.

Project Dog Foster thanks you on behalf of all the dogs!

Find a coalition member near you.
Or contact another shelter or rescue group, if you prefer. We’re out to help all the dogs and the people who care for them.