Hey there, Kimberly!
I'll admit that my presentation mainly dealt with short term fostering and neonatal kitten fostering, but through that lens I think I can provide some insights that have worked for us!
What strategies have helped you successfully recruit fosters for higher-needs animals?
You may want to look into Doobert (doobert.com). We plan to start using it in the next few months, but what they provide aligns pretty well with setting foster parents up for success. We've also had great luck creating an At-Risk list for animals who are rapidly declining in the shelter, whether it be medically or behaviorally. We've found that patrons often ask where their help is most needed, and this is a great way to convey that messaging. You can view our At-Risk page here if you'd like some verbiage and explanations.
What supports or incentives have made fosters more willing to take on complex cases?
We have had gift card incentives in the past, and they have certainly turned into longer-term fostering. However, I'm hesitant to say anything definitive because we've only done it on a couple dozen dogs. However, when it comes to neonatal kitten fostering, I go pretty far in-depth with that in my presentation. I start to talk about kittens halfway through the presentation.
Are there messaging approaches that have helped reframe fostering these animals as rewarding rather than intimidating?
Testimonials seem to go a long way, so if the animal had a previous foster, reach out to see if you can get a quote from them. It helps to convey that the animal is an individual rather than a situation and makes more people willing to "give them a chance" that can easily turn into a long-term foster. I also believe that being transparent is huge. Patrons can usually tell when a shelter/rescue is being disingenuous, so taking the honest approach of "Hey, so this dog needs X care, but he's shown himself to be a professional cuddler and absolutely loves the interaction."
What systems or program elements made the biggest difference in growing your foster base?
Unfortunately, I'd have to say staffing. And I say that it's unfortunate because I know that funding is always a challenge. But failing that, becoming a reliable resource for the community of fosters is a great way to let them know the work you do and how you're willing to help. The Animal Foundation has a wonderful link tree for it's neonatal kitten fosters, and it serves as a lifeline for when we're either closed or a patron has no way to actually reach us. Because, let's be honest, emergencies tend to happen at 2AM. By proving yourself to not only be subject matter experts but also showing yourself to be ready and willing to be available to help, you can slowly but surely earn a reputation that will attract dedicated fosters.
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Ryan Miller
Grants Manager
The Animal Foundation
NV
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-25-2026 02:37 PM
From: Kimberly Nnowalue
Subject: Growing your Foster Program: Increasing Live Release Rate for At-Risk Animals- March 2026 in Maddie's Monthly Foster Connection
This is amazing! I feel really silly because I just saw this forum discussion after posting a question related to this exact topic.
I'm reaching out on behalf of Sierra Overlook Animal Rescue (SOAR), a rural sanctuary-based nonprofit in Northern California. Our organization specializes in caring for animals who are often overlooked in traditional adoption pathways - seniors, special needs animals, those with behavioral challenges, and individuals considered "unadoptable" for other reasons.
We've successfully coordinated a handful of short-term foster placements in the past, typically for emergency or brief transitional situations. However, we've found it significantly more challenging to recruit and retain longer-term foster caregivers who can provide the stability these higher-needs animals truly benefit from. We know these placements can be more demanding, and we want to ensure we're building a foster program that is both supportive for caregivers and sustainable for the animals.
For those of you who have developed strong foster networks - especially for medically or behaviorally complex animals - we would love to learn from your experience:
What strategies have helped you successfully recruit fosters for higher-needs animals?
What supports or incentives have made fosters more willing to take on complex cases?
How do you structure training, mentorship, or backup support to prevent burnout?
Are there messaging approaches that have helped reframe fostering these animals as rewarding rather than intimidating?
What systems or program elements made the biggest difference in growing your foster base?
We are deeply committed to creating a foster program that sets both animals and caregivers up for success, and we would truly value any insights, lessons learned, or resources you'd be willing to share.
Thank you in advance for your guidance and for the work you each do to support animals in need.
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Kimberly Nnowalue
Founder & Executive Director
Sierra Overlook Animal Rescue
CA
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