Anonymous wrote:
Maybe you didn't know this, but you are largely responsible for getting your foster dog adopted at some point. The younger the dog is, the easier it is, particularly if they're social and reasonably well-behaved. You need to train the dog to be as adoptable as possible! If you foster a senior dog or one with issues, then it might be very difficult to get them adopted, and they might do the foster rounds for a while. You might face some pressure to keep fostering even if you say you're cannot.

For all these reasons, I'm not entirely certain that fostering is a great idea for humans who have no experience with dogs.

If you have a good group, they should be willing to move out a dog that isn't working out for one that is. But, yes, once you foster, it's your responsibility to promote him/her and bring to adoption days (or set up meet and greets). That's the gig. And it is wonderful. Plus, as the foster, you get to vet the potential adopters. For me, that was key as I didn't want "my" dog or cat to go to someone who I was not confident would provide the best home possible.

Lost Dog and Cats is awesome! And I've heard good things about Wolftrap and Homeward Trails.

Like any org, these groups have good/easy volunteers and more difficult ones. That often forms peoples' opinions. So take the reviews with a grain of salt and see where lots of people are recommending.

I would stay away from K9 lifesavers. Had a bad experience with them. And they’re extremely unorganized. One person will tell you something and another will counter it with a different instruction/answer.

Stay away from TRU Rescue. We had a horrendous experience with them.

I’ve heard great things about canine humane network. One of our friends have fostered through them several times.

Pet Rescue Alliance - https://petrescuealliance.com/volunteer/foster-form/

I foster for Big Fluffy Dog Recue. The rescue is not exactly local (based in TN), but has an extensive foster network up Mid-Atlantic to the North-East, and out to the Mid-West. The dogs come into the kennel down south, and stay there (or with a southern foster) for vetting. When a dog has been with a foster, there is A LOT of information about what you're getting (although something like say, a puppy is fairly interchangeable). When they've been in a kennel, there is less. Transport to the NoVA region is always some ungodly hour, usually on Saturday (like 2:00 AM), or occasionally, on Sunday (also some ungodly hour).

Being a foster requires filling out an application and getting approved. You will likely have your choice of dogs or puppies, as there are always too many of those, and not enough fosters. There will ALWAYS be a huge demand for fosters with no other dogs, as there are lots of dogs that are wonderful with people, often wonderful with cats (for instance), just not with dogs. There is also a (closed) foster group that you will have access to once you become a foster, and there is tons of collective wisdom there that can help you through the process of fostering your dog.

If you have any specific questions, I would be happy to answer them.