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Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

  • 1.  Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

    Posted 28 days ago

    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
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

    Posted 27 days ago
      |   view attached

    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
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

    Posted 27 days ago

    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
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

    Posted 27 days ago
    This is amazing! I would love to speak with your coordinator! 

    Best,

    A close up of a logo  Description automatically generated

    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.

     

     






  • 5.  RE: Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

    Posted 27 days ago

    Hello,

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

    Sincerely, 



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



  • 6.  RE: Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

    Posted 27 days ago
    Thank you so much! I greatly appreciate it!

    Best,
    Kellie 

    A close up of a logo  Description automatically generated

    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.

     

     






  • 7.  RE: Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

    Posted 27 days ago

    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
    ------------------------------



  • 8.  RE: Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

    Posted 26 days ago

    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
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

    Posted 27 days ago

    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
    ------------------------------



  • 10.  RE: Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

    Posted 27 days ago

    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
    ------------------------------



  • 11.  RE: Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

    Posted 27 days ago

    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
    ------------------------------



  • 12.  RE: Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

    Posted 27 days ago
    We have a sleepover program as well, but for approved foster parents only. 

    But this is an idea I had not thought about, thank you ��

     

    A close up of a logo  Description automatically generated

    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.

     

     






  • 13.  RE: Seeking Advice on Implementing a Foster-to-Adopt Program

    Posted 27 days ago