Is your home right for a foster dog?
To foster a dog with us, you'll need:
- No other pets in your home
- Live within an hour's drive of one of our sites: London (Battersea), Brands Hatch (Kent) or Old Windsor (Berkshire)
- No more than four hours a day when your foster dog is left alone
- A private garden
- No children under 13 in your home for adult dogs, or under 10 for puppies
- Willing to complete our online training
Foster dogs can't be left unsupervised with anyone under 18, and only adults in the household can walk them.
Meet Dena
"The most rewarding thing about being foster carers is knowing that we played a key part in her journey." - Dena, foster carer.
What kind of dog will you foster?
We foster dogs whose welfare is affected by stress or medical needs in kennels, or who are too young to stay in a kennel environment. Not every dog needs fostering, so we prioritise those who'll benefit most from a home setting.
You won't choose your foster dog from our website. Our team matches you with a dog suited to your experience and home, and you're never asked to take a dog that you’re not comfortable fostering. Over time, you might foster many different breeds. We encourage every foster carer to see past breed stereotypes and get to know each dog as an individual.
“Every dog is totally different. To form a connection with them and enable them to feel loved and safe. You need to have a level of patience and understanding, adjusting your behaviours accordingly to make sure they feel comfortable.”
How to become a dog foster carer
1. Apply
Fill in our application form.
2. Home check
Send us a video of your home so we can check it's safe and find the right matches for you.
3. A chat with our team
We'll follow up by email or phone to ask about your application and answer any questions.
4. Induction
We'll invite you to our online inductions.
Dog fostering FAQs
Feeding, walking, training and taking your foster dog to appointments. We'll match you with a dog suited to your experience, and support you throughout.
Yes. We'll give you the training and guidance you need. Carers who've looked after dogs with additional needs before are especially welcome, though it isn't required.
Not currently. We're only able to accept pet-free homes for dog fostering right now, as demand for pet-free placements is high. Smaller pets may be considered case by case, kept securely away from your foster dog. Homes with existing pets may wait longer for a match.
No. Once your foster dog is settled, they can be left for up to four hours. At the start, they can’t be left alone at all, so this works best if your routine allows for that early settling period.
Yes. Let us know your dates in advance and we'll plan around them. If something comes up unexpectedly, tell us as soon as you can and we'll arrange alternative care.
It helps, especially if you live further from a site, but it isn't essential. If you don't have transport for your first collection, we can arrange a taxi. If you're fostering for Old Windsor or Brands Hatch, you'll need your own transport, as both sites are rural.
It depends on the dog. Most stay from a couple of weeks to a couple of months, until they're rehomed. Foster dogs do best with consistency, so we look for carers who can offer more than just a few days.
Fostering isn't intended as a route to adoption. If you’re ever interested in rehoming a foster dog, please speak to your Fostering Officer.
You can check out cat fostering which has slightly different requirements. Or you can support our dogs by sponsoring a kennel with a monthly donation.
