Animal Welfare Professionals

Hi everyone,

We currently have a full foster program in place at our shelter, but I'm interested in adding a foster-to-adopt program for individuals who want to "foster" an animal before committing to adoption, to ensure it's the right fit for their home. This would be a separate initiative from our existing foster program, as one of our main goals for fostering is to advocate for the animal and find its adoptive home, rather than keeping the pet while we cover expenses.

Does anyone here have a foster-to-adopt program in place? I'd love to hear how your shelter or rescue manages it, how it's structured, and whether you have example application forms or guidelines you could share. I have a few ideas outlined, but I'm eager to learn from others who have successfully implemented this.

Thanks in advance for any insights or resources!

Best,

Kellie

#FosterPrograms

------------------------------
Kellie Jordan
Foster Coordinator
Tallahassee Animal Services
FL
------------------------------

Hello,

I'm excited to share that we have a Foster-to-Adopt program at WAGS Pet Adoption, which we launched in 2024. So far, we've successfully placed about 40 dogs through this program, out of a total of 90 we are caring for  we often have 20 in  traditional foster care and 10 are foster to adopt, and it has been consistently active throughout the year.  We do foster to adopt typically 3 days. There are times we extend to a week. 

We are fortunate to have an amazing volunteer coordinator who engages with the foster families very actively. I believe the program's success is largely due to this level of engagement. It helps mitigate risks and allows the adoption process to move forward without feeling rushed.

Through this program, we collect valuable information, pictures, and videos. All foster families are part of a cloud-based community app called Band, which is free to use. This app shares stories, offers support, and provides access to administrators, veterinarians, and others who can help off-site 24 hours a day. Additionally, they have a community of other WAGS. fosters to help them on the application. 

We cover the medical needs and access to our  until they are adopted, which helps potential adopters understand what long-term care or medications might be required. This transparency allows them to assess their ability to commit both financially and in terms of lifestyle.

Our traditional fostering program has also led to many "foster fails," which we celebrate! While we may lose a foster home, the pet gains a forever home.

I hope this information is helpful. If you're interested, I can connect you with our exceptional coordinator.

Best regards!

------------------------------
Michelle Russillo
CEO
WAGS PET ADOPTION
Westminster CA
------------------------------

Hi Michelle,

Are you part of a shelter or rescue or both?  I am in Los Angeles, our shelters are in shambles and the euthanasia rates are going up not down.  There are a few of us here that are actively trying to implement a foster databank and also we are providing quarterly foster 101 workshops throughout the city.  It feels like we are fighting an uphill battle.  I would love to talk with you sometime.  Melissa Klaskin

------------------------------
Melissa Klaskin
psychologist
Reducing Animal Stress
CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-12-2024 06:21 AM
From: Michelle Russillo
Subject: Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

Hello,

I'm excited to share that we have a Foster-to-Adopt program at WAGS Pet Adoption, which we launched in 2024. So far, we've successfully placed about 40 dogs through this program, out of a total of 90 we are caring for  we often have 20 in  traditional foster care and 10 are foster to adopt, and it has been consistently active throughout the year.  We do foster to adopt typically 3 days. There are times we extend to a week. 

We are fortunate to have an amazing volunteer coordinator who engages with the foster families very actively. I believe the program's success is largely due to this level of engagement. It helps mitigate risks and allows the adoption process to move forward without feeling rushed.

Through this program, we collect valuable information, pictures, and videos. All foster families are part of a cloud-based community app called Band, which is free to use. This app shares stories, offers support, and provides access to administrators, veterinarians, and others who can help off-site 24 hours a day. Additionally, they have a community of other WAGS. fosters to help them on the application. 

We cover the medical needs and access to our  until they are adopted, which helps potential adopters understand what long-term care or medications might be required. This transparency allows them to assess their ability to commit both financially and in terms of lifestyle.

Our traditional fostering program has also led to many "foster fails," which we celebrate! While we may lose a foster home, the pet gains a forever home.

I hope this information is helpful. If you're interested, I can connect you with our exceptional coordinator.

Best regards!

------------------------------
Michelle Russillo
CEO
WAGS PET ADOPTION
Westminster CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 9/12/2024 9:21:00 AM
From: Michelle Russillo
Subject: RE: Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

Hello,

I'm excited to share that we have a Foster-to-Adopt program at WAGS Pet Adoption, which we launched in 2024. So far, we've successfully placed about 40 dogs through this program, out of a total of 90 we are caring for  we often have 20 in  traditional foster care and 10 are foster to adopt, and it has been consistently active throughout the year.  We do foster to adopt typically 3 days. There are times we extend to a week. 

We are fortunate to have an amazing volunteer coordinator who engages with the foster families very actively. I believe the program's success is largely due to this level of engagement. It helps mitigate risks and allows the adoption process to move forward without feeling rushed.

Through this program, we collect valuable information, pictures, and videos. All foster families are part of a cloud-based community app called Band, which is free to use. This app shares stories, offers support, and provides access to administrators, veterinarians, and others who can help off-site 24 hours a day. Additionally, they have a community of other WAGS. fosters to help them on the application. 

We cover the medical needs and access to our  until they are adopted, which helps potential adopters understand what long-term care or medications might be required. This transparency allows them to assess their ability to commit both financially and in terms of lifestyle.

Our traditional fostering program has also led to many "foster fails," which we celebrate! While we may lose a foster home, the pet gains a forever home.

I hope this information is helpful. If you're interested, I can connect you with our exceptional coordinator.

Best regards!

------------------------------
Michelle Russillo
CEO
WAGS PET ADOPTION
Westminster CA
------------------------------

Hello,

I have shared your information with her. She will reach out to you. 

Sincerely, 

------------------------------
Michelle Russillo
CEO
WAGS PET ADOPTION
Westminster CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-12-2024 08:54 AM
From: Kellie Jordan
Subject: Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

This is amazing! I would love to speak with your coordinator! 

Best,

Kellie J Jordan, CVT Foster Coordinator Tallahassee Animal Services Office: 850-891-2986 Cell: 850-354-4784 1125 Easterwood Dr, Tallahassee, FL 32311 Office Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm

       

PLEASE NOTE:  Florida has a very broad public records law.  Most written communications to or from government

officials are public records available to the public and media upon request.  Your email communications may be subject

to public disclosure.

 

 

Original Message:
Sent: 9/12/2024 9:21:00 AM
From: Michelle Russillo
Subject: RE: Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

Hello,

I'm excited to share that we have a Foster-to-Adopt program at WAGS Pet Adoption, which we launched in 2024. So far, we've successfully placed about 40 dogs through this program, out of a total of 90 we are caring for  we often have 20 in  traditional foster care and 10 are foster to adopt, and it has been consistently active throughout the year.  We do foster to adopt typically 3 days. There are times we extend to a week. 

We are fortunate to have an amazing volunteer coordinator who engages with the foster families very actively. I believe the program's success is largely due to this level of engagement. It helps mitigate risks and allows the adoption process to move forward without feeling rushed.

Through this program, we collect valuable information, pictures, and videos. All foster families are part of a cloud-based community app called Band, which is free to use. This app shares stories, offers support, and provides access to administrators, veterinarians, and others who can help off-site 24 hours a day. Additionally, they have a community of other WAGS. fosters to help them on the application. 

We cover the medical needs and access to our  until they are adopted, which helps potential adopters understand what long-term care or medications might be required. This transparency allows them to assess their ability to commit both financially and in terms of lifestyle.

Our traditional fostering program has also led to many "foster fails," which we celebrate! While we may lose a foster home, the pet gains a forever home.

I hope this information is helpful. If you're interested, I can connect you with our exceptional coordinator.

Best regards!

------------------------------
Michelle Russillo
CEO
WAGS PET ADOPTION
Westminster CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 9/12/2024 1:47:00 PM
From: Michelle Russillo
Subject: RE: Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

Hello,

I have shared your information with her. She will reach out to you. 

Sincerely, 

------------------------------
Michelle Russillo
CEO
WAGS PET ADOPTION
Westminster CA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-12-2024 08:54 AM
From: Kellie Jordan
Subject: Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

This is amazing! I would love to speak with your coordinator! 

Best,

Kellie J Jordan, CVT Foster Coordinator Tallahassee Animal Services Office: 850-891-2986 Cell: 850-354-4784 1125 Easterwood Dr, Tallahassee, FL 32311 Office Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm

       

PLEASE NOTE:  Florida has a very broad public records law.  Most written communications to or from government

officials are public records available to the public and media upon request.  Your email communications may be subject

to public disclosure.

 

 

Hey! 

While we don't have a specific foster to adopt program at our facility at Grand Prairie Animal Services (TX);  I did implement Home Trials about 8 yrs ago under previous management. Newer management removed the program from the shelter but I begged for it to still be accessible to me for event adoptions as the Event Coordinator. I was granted approval and have a 93% success rate with this option. With being at random places with adoptable dogs we get people who are interested but on the fence. If after having a conversation with them I think the dog would be a really good fit for them, they just need to get it home without the commitment of adoption right then, I offer the home trial. They fill out an adoption application and a home trial contract. They are granted 1 week with the dog to see how it's going. If they need longer, I allow it as long as they stay in contact with me. This has been a very popular option especially because no other shelters around here really offer anything like this! Now that we have a new foster coordinator who is abslutely amazing, i want to pitch the idea to her about bringing the program back to the shelter as well but under her direction.

Good luck! 

------------------------------
Angellee Vincent
Volunteer & Events Coordinator
Grand Prairie Animal Services
Grand Prairie, TX
www.gptx.org/paws
------------------------------

Thank you for sharing! Seeing how everyone does some form of "at home trial" will help in making a plan that works for our organization :)

------------------------------
Kellie Jordan
Foster Coordinator
Tallahassee Animal Services
FL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-12-2024 07:04 AM
From: Angellee Vincent
Subject: Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

Hey! 

While we don't have a specific foster to adopt program at our facility at Grand Prairie Animal Services (TX);  I did implement Home Trials about 8 yrs ago under previous management. Newer management removed the program from the shelter but I begged for it to still be accessible to me for event adoptions as the Event Coordinator. I was granted approval and have a 93% success rate with this option. With being at random places with adoptable dogs we get people who are interested but on the fence. If after having a conversation with them I think the dog would be a really good fit for them, they just need to get it home without the commitment of adoption right then, I offer the home trial. They fill out an adoption application and a home trial contract. They are granted 1 week with the dog to see how it's going. If they need longer, I allow it as long as they stay in contact with me. This has been a very popular option especially because no other shelters around here really offer anything like this! Now that we have a new foster coordinator who is abslutely amazing, i want to pitch the idea to her about bringing the program back to the shelter as well but under her direction.

Good luck! 

------------------------------
Angellee Vincent
Volunteer & Events Coordinator
Grand Prairie Animal Services
Grand Prairie, TX
www.gptx.org/paws
------------------------------

Hey Kellie,

We have a smaller shelter where we fill up much faster than a lot of other neighboring shelters/rescues. We have had a Foster-to-Adopt standard that we utilize for various situations. We actually have a standard practice on our website if you are interested in viewing. https://sheriff.columbiacountyor.gov/LostandFoundDogs

We have 2 main situations/circumstances that we utilize FtA. The first is we run all of our adoptions through our foster to adopt contract. Essentially we utilize this as a trial adoption and I generally give them a 2 week trial period. This allows me to continue to be the keeper of the dog but be completely cared for in a home by the potential adopter. 

The other one that I am finding not many shelters do is a Finder Foster to Adopt. We utilize this when a community member finds a stray dog and would really like to adopt the dog if it goes unclaimed by the owner. We have the finder bring the dog to the shelter or we can stop by their house where we do our normal intake records, capture a photo, and then have the finder fill out our FtA contract. We make reasonable effort to find the owner and after 10 days if the dog goes unclaimed then the finder would be able to complete adopt free of charge as long as they are willing to sign that they will provide veterinary care or we will assist if possible with medical care. This has been a helpful tool when our shelter is full but are required by law to house strays. It's important to note that we do not have this as a written policy but rather a written guideline that we can utilize. We have done some minor tweaks to the guidelines when we have dealt with difficult finders where they attempt to manipulate the information as rights to the dog. Overall, this has been a really helpful tool.

I listed our website above but if there is any specific questions you have about how we implement this, please let me know!

------------------------------
Keeanna Stansbury
Animal Care Specialist
Columbia County Sheriff's Office
OR
------------------------------

I'd also love to know! 

Our foster program is small and broken and the managers are of the mindset that we don't allow FTA because that's not how we do things...

They want all available animals on the floor not in foster. BUT we are overflowing with pets! I want to change their mind. 

------------------------------
Amber Black
Veterinary Technician
Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare
FL
------------------------------

We do a sleepover program at our shelter with a 3 day time period to see how an animal fits into a home.  Basically, the animal is ready to adopt but not sure about the fit. We do everything like an adoption but don't process it for 3 days. We contact the family at the end of the period to follow up, if everything is a go then we process the adoption. If not, then we don't and ask them to bring the animal back.  This rarely happens but sometimes it gives a person the peace of mind to take the leap and take the animal home. Its not fostering per se (but in actuality it is). 

------------------------------
Tereza Marks
Executive Director
Pet Allies
AZ
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 9/12/2024 11:47:00 AM
From: Tereza Marks
Subject: RE: Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

We do a sleepover program at our shelter with a 3 day time period to see how an animal fits into a home.  Basically, the animal is ready to adopt but not sure about the fit. We do everything like an adoption but don't process it for 3 days. We contact the family at the end of the period to follow up, if everything is a go then we process the adoption. If not, then we don't and ask them to bring the animal back.  This rarely happens but sometimes it gives a person the peace of mind to take the leap and take the animal home. Its not fostering per se (but in actuality it is). 

------------------------------
Tereza Marks
Executive Director
Pet Allies
AZ
------------------------------

Hi, I've just yesterday been considering foster to adopt. We have lots of variations of this currently being used at different sites, but I want to create a process that standarises it. One of my concerns is, before the official adoption, they are fostering, and our fosterers will have to complete some documentation/checks in order to be insured to have animals in their homes. What do people use in the way of documentation for this process?

This process also gets used for our 'behaviour' dogs, who may be on meds - this seems to throw up issues as to how long a foster to adopt situation should be allowed to go on for, with some lasting months. It sounds here as if people use it as a very short term thing, which to me sounds easier to manage.

------------------------------
Rebecca Sparks
Fostering Manager
RSPCA
------------------------------

I created a foster-to-adopt program in 2019 and have been improving every year with it! Would love to share our information with you. I can send you our contract and handbooks for reference if you'd like. We do foster to adopt with underage/unaltered animals, heartworm positive dogs and medical cases. We have about 460 animals in foster care currently and I would say more than half are FTA. We cover 100% medical and help with food while on FTA.

------------------------------
Aly Martinez
Panhandle Animal Welfare Society
FL
------------------------------

I would love to look at any documents and information you may have!! Thank you!

------------------------------
Kellie Jordan
Foster Coordinator
Tallahassee Animal Services
FL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-13-2024 08:01 AM
From: Aly Martinez
Subject: Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

I created a foster-to-adopt program in 2019 and have been improving every year with it! Would love to share our information with you. I can send you our contract and handbooks for reference if you'd like. We do foster to adopt with underage/unaltered animals, heartworm positive dogs and medical cases. We have about 460 animals in foster care currently and I would say more than half are FTA. We cover 100% medical and help with food while on FTA.

------------------------------
Aly Martinez
Panhandle Animal Welfare Society
FL
------------------------------

We call our program Foster First and 99% of our adoptions are done this way.  It started during Covid when it was hard to do personal Meet and Greets.  We use our standard foster form and mark the foster type as Foster to Adopt.  It is treated as an adoption in every way except the long term commitment doesn't take place until they are ready.  We don't have a hard time limit.  For hard to place animals we realize it may take longer to decide if its a good fit.  Some people are ready in a week and some take several weeks.  When they are ready we send them a link in Shelterluv via text or email and they do the paperwork online so there is no need for a return in person visit.  It also works great for kittens or puppies who are too young for spay/neuter surgery as they can be in their forever home before they are technically ready to adopt.  There is some follow up required but I can't imagine doing adoptions any other way.  

------------------------------
Vicky Pasenko
Shelter or rescue director
Ms.
------------------------------

Thank you for sharing! I see a lot of people mentioning shelterluv, I will need to look into that.

------------------------------
Kellie Jordan
Foster Coordinator
Tallahassee Animal Services
FL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-19-2024 07:25 AM
From: Vicky Pasenko
Subject: Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

We call our program Foster First and 99% of our adoptions are done this way.  It started during Covid when it was hard to do personal Meet and Greets.  We use our standard foster form and mark the foster type as Foster to Adopt.  It is treated as an adoption in every way except the long term commitment doesn't take place until they are ready.  We don't have a hard time limit.  For hard to place animals we realize it may take longer to decide if its a good fit.  Some people are ready in a week and some take several weeks.  When they are ready we send them a link in Shelterluv via text or email and they do the paperwork online so there is no need for a return in person visit.  It also works great for kittens or puppies who are too young for spay/neuter surgery as they can be in their forever home before they are technically ready to adopt.  There is some follow up required but I can't imagine doing adoptions any other way.  

------------------------------
Vicky Pasenko
Shelter or rescue director
Ms.
------------------------------

We tried to do some FTA in a shelter in AL but people would fail to hold up their promise to get the animal altered or they would lose the pet and it would be gone or get pregnant. We had a few people also just disappear with our animals. Even though the surgery was free they wouldn't come back. That's what I'm afraid of. 

------------------------------
Amber Black
Veterinary Technician
Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare
FL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-19-2024 11:43 AM
From: Kellie Jordan
Subject: Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

Thank you for sharing! I see a lot of people mentioning shelterluv, I will need to look into that.

------------------------------
Kellie Jordan
Foster Coordinator
Tallahassee Animal Services
FL
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-19-2024 07:25 AM
From: Vicky Pasenko
Subject: Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

We call our program Foster First and 99% of our adoptions are done this way.  It started during Covid when it was hard to do personal Meet and Greets.  We use our standard foster form and mark the foster type as Foster to Adopt.  It is treated as an adoption in every way except the long term commitment doesn't take place until they are ready.  We don't have a hard time limit.  For hard to place animals we realize it may take longer to decide if its a good fit.  Some people are ready in a week and some take several weeks.  When they are ready we send them a link in Shelterluv via text or email and they do the paperwork online so there is no need for a return in person visit.  It also works great for kittens or puppies who are too young for spay/neuter surgery as they can be in their forever home before they are technically ready to adopt.  There is some follow up required but I can't imagine doing adoptions any other way.  

------------------------------
Vicky Pasenko
Shelter or rescue director
Ms.