Foster Volunteer Program

While Animal Companion Rescue Foundation (ACRF) receives beloved pets from owners who are incapacitated, we also assist in rescue work since our personal pets are former rescues from shelter situations.

Fostering is a key building block to ACRF. It is both one of the hardest and one of the most rewarding volunteer experiences. While it is difficult to let go once you’ve opened your heart and your home to a foster pet, it is also deeply fulfilling to know you’ve bridged the way to a wonderful, lifelong home.

What is a foster volunteer?

A foster volunteer provides temporary home care for an animal not ready for adoption due to injury, illness or age. As a foster volunteer you will be responsible for committing to the daily care of the pet as if it were your own (feeding, watering, exercising). If meds are prescribed you will be responsible for administering medications.

What skills are needed?

It’s best if you have some knowledge and/or experience with cats and/or dogs. Some foster animals are in need of kindness to rebuild trust, some possibly need a little training with basic commands (to make them more adoptable), but mostly volunteers need to spend time with the animal getting to know them and providing ACRF with additional information that will greatly help successfully re-home the pet.

Are there expenses involved?

No, ACRF is responsible for the medical expenses of the pet and, if needed, ACRF will also provide food.

How long is the foster commitment?

Fostering will vary case by case. Some may be short term (days to weeks) while others may be long term (1 month or more). We will gladly work with you in matching foster pets to your schedule. For example, some foster volunteers are school teachers who can only foster during summer months.

What kind of situations need foster care?

ACRF fosters may be pets in our Lifetime Care Program who have special medical needs or are grieving the loss of their owner. Other fosters may be rescues who are recovering from medical treatments such as orthopedic surgery, cats with upper respiratory problems, or dogs who need additional socializing.

Are foster volunteers matched with animals?

Yes. When creating a foster match we take into consideration all the information provided by the volunteer on the application to best match the volunteer with a foster animal. Please keep this in mind when completing the Foster Volunteer Application since more information is better information.

Will I have to find a home for the animal myself?

No. ACRF is responsible for re-homing the animal, although we welcome your participation in the process by telling your family and friends about specific pets you think would be a good match.

Sign me up! How do I become a foster volunteer?

Call 404.256.1040 or e-mail tracy@animalcrf.org, and complete a Foster Volunteer Application online or download a PDF form.

NOTE: While ACRF strives to maintain our foster network to assist with our foster needs, we understand some volunteers fall in love with their foster pets and adopt them permanently into their families. We are delighted with these adoptions but it means we lose a foster home. Thus we are always accepting applications to add loving, qualified volunteers for future foster animals!