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increasing fosters

  • 1.  increasing fosters

    Posted 20 days ago

    Hello,

    Does anyone have good ideas for how to attract more fosters?  I have conducted foster 101 workshops and despite all the advertising, we get very little attendance.  I need some other crea tive ideas.  

    Thank you,

    Melissa Klaskin


    #FosterPrograms

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    Melissa Klaskin
    psychologist
    Reducing Animal Stress
    CA
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  • 2.  RE: increasing fosters

    Posted 19 days ago

    We have trouble getting fosters as well.  Our social media team is greath though.  Lately, we've taken in A LOT of neglected dogs who are VERY thin or sufffering from treatable medical conditions.  Our girls post their pictures saying please help these poor babies who did not ask for this. If we know their back story, we tell that and emphasize the sadest part.   they also say stuff like the rescue provides the supplies, we just need you to provide a safe place for them to stay while they look for their forever home.  Your pleas have to grab at the heart.  If you can, schedule them to post every other day for a week.  Good luck!!!



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    Nancy Kaniewski
    Volunteer Fundraising Coordinator
    Just Giants Rescue, Inc.
    IL
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: increasing fosters

    Posted 19 days ago

    I have the most success posting pictures of the specific animals I need fosters for. Generic posts for fosters work a bit but when posting for a specific litter or single animal I have increased results. Once I successfully secure a foster I try to have any other applicants foster a different litter. Sometimes it works. Most often people are looking to adopt so they are interested in the posted animal but that is okay as well.



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    Michelle Messemer
    Foster Manager
    DAWS Animal Welfare Society
    CT
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: increasing fosters

    Posted 19 days ago

    The Seminole County Humane Society has a program called BFF. I actually participated in it as a high school student, and I am now working with the CEO here at Patty Baker Humane Society to implement a similar program. 

    Furthermore, our rescue recess program (which allows people to take a dog out for an hours or two and bring it back) has led to many long-term fosters and adoptions. 



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    Rachel Rothman
    Donor Relations Coordinator
    Patty Baker Humane Society Naples
    FL
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: increasing fosters

    Posted 19 days ago

    One thing we do at Butte Humane Society for our Foster Program is that we provide everything necessary for the foster to take care of the animal: food, bedding, kennel, etc. I'm not sure if that's how most foster programs work (I am new in my role at BHS!), but we've seen some success with that. Another thing we have recently implemented is our Bedtime Foster program where fosters only commit to doing it for one night. Reducing the time commitment and advertising that we have foster opportunities for anywhere from one night to several weeks has been something that we are starting to see success in as well!



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    Anna Barton
    Fundraising and Development Associate
    Butte Humane Society
    CA
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: increasing fosters

    Posted 19 days ago

    Hi there!

    Foster recruitment has been challenging for many rescues lately, so you're definitely not alone. A few ideas that have helped organizations boost interest:

    • Share bite-sized "what fostering really looks like" content.
    Short posts, reels, and myth-busting pieces often perform better than full workshops.

    • Offer low-commitment options.
    Weekend fostering, vacation coverage, or emergency overnights help people ease into it.

    • Highlight real foster stories.
    Quick testimonials and "before/after" clips convert really well.

    • Partner with local businesses.
    Casual events at breweries, coffee shops, or pet stores draw more people than formal sessions.

    • Post specific dogs needing fosters.
    People respond more when they see an individual dog and a clear, immediate need.



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    Julie Beatty
    Grants Coordinator
    Ziva Dog Rescue
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: increasing fosters

    Posted 18 days ago

    Following to see the suggestions.
    I see several people saying to post pictures of the animals. My rescue has converted to foster based (as of this past weekend) because we lost the lease to our building. We don't have the option of posting pictures of the animals because we can't agree to take in an animal unless we have a foster lined up. And we don't want to "advertise" pictures of an animal we don't have custody of and offend the owner(s).

    We also get people that want to foster but upon review of the applications - they are very specific. For instance, one of the latest wants a small female puppy thats a yorkie or maltese.  Its rather frustrating.



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    Sarah
    Paws in Middle Georgia Animal Rescue
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: increasing fosters

    Posted 17 days ago

    I also find that many fosters are looking to adopt so they have a very specific set of guidelines for fostering in terms of size, breed, etc. Sometimes through conversation we can convince them to broaden their list but not always.

    We have had success posting pictures of animals we would like to take in and ask specifically for help getting them their "freedom ride". If we don't get a foster response then we cannot commit to the animal.  Sometimes we get a response but too late and the animal has been tagged by a different rescue. In that case, we find another animal and present to the potential foster as a 'replacement' foster. This has been very successful for us.



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    Michelle Messemer
    Foster Manager
    DAWS Animal Welfare Society
    CT
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: increasing fosters

    Posted 15 days ago

    We are in the same boat- as in we are primarily foster based as well.  We don't want to commit to an animal or pull it if there is not a foster already lined up.  We have a private FB page for current fosters, so we will post the pictures on that to see if any current members want to foster, but this is not the best for "growing" the program.  We struggle with finding new fosters.  I will say that we invite all of our fosters and volunteers to our private page so we can post freely but not offend a surrenderer. 



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    Jessica Nelson
    Administrative Director and Co Founder
    Paw Project of Georgia, Inc
    GA
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    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: increasing fosters

    Posted 15 days ago

    @Sarah - We sometimes have the same problem with fosters.   I have literally had 4 fosters and 2 of my own at one time because we don't have enough homes to save those in need.  We will post pictures of the dog we want to intake saying we can't save the poor baby because we don't have enough foster homes then turn it into a plea for people to volunteer.   When people see an abused or neglected and emaciated dog, it pulls on the heart strings and they apply to foster.  It's unfortunate we have to do that, but in general our society doesn't understand how bad the problem is.    I have also seen some rescues in my area bring a super skinny pup to PetSmart for treats or toys so people can see them.  When approached, they tell the dogs story and people get involved.  Maybe try doing one of these things to see if people apply.  Good Luck!

    Nancy



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    Nancy Kaniewski
    Fundraising Coordinator
    Just Giants Rescue, Inc.
    IL
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    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: increasing fosters

    Posted 17 days ago

    What about offering week-long fosters or "holiday" fosters for college students home for the holidays? They usually have at least 3 weeks off from school. 



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    Paula Vergara
    volunteer grant writer/content developer
    A Home of Their Own Animal Rescue
    Bethesda MD
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    Original Message


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