Foster a rescue animal
A friend has invited you to do this with them.
Fostering means giving a rescue animal a temporary home while the charity looks for a permanent one, which suits animals that struggle in kennels. Dogs Trust in the UK says it covers all the costs, and Best Friends Animal Society in the US says placements can run from a night or two to several weeks.
ModerateFreeA few weeksIndoorsAlone or with othersUK and US
How to start
- Read the Dogs Trust fostering page in the UK, or the Best Friends foster page in the US.
- Complete the Dogs Trust online application, or use the Best Friends form to get a list of shelters and rescue groups near you.
- Prepare for the home check and training the charity requires before an animal is placed with you.
Where to go
- Dogs Trust foster carer scheme page (UK charity) UK
- Best Friends Animal Society foster page (US charity) US
We opened these links on 8 October 2026 and found them to be what we say. Dates, places and prices are on the official page, where they stay up to date.
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