Become a Foster Home
Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS) is built on a network of foster homes. At any given time AARCS has approximately 600 animals in foster care. Without volunteer foster families we would not be able to rescue and re-home thousands of animals each year!
When you foster, you bring in a cat, dog or critter into your home and give him/her love and care like you would your own pet. You temporarily provide a safe and loving environment for a homeless pet.
Fostering provides you and your family with an enjoyable and rewarding experience, teaching all family members the importance of second chances – something we think is very valuable in all aspects of life. By opening your home and heart to a homeless pet, you will save a life!
AARCS is currently accepting applications for foster homes for medium/large breed dogs/puppies, cats/kittens, rabbits/guinea pigs/hamsters, and animals with medical or behavioural special needs.
Please note, the majority of our dogs are medium or large mixed breeds. We do not currently have a need for foster homes for small breed dogs.
We have a need for dog fosters of all types in Edmonton: puppies, medical or behavioural special needs, whelping/maternity, etc.
Please note that our Edmonton Cat Foster Program is specifically for cats that are not available for adoption. These may include feline friends who are recovering from surgery or illness, orphaned kittens, pregnant cats or mother cats with their kittens.
We may accept foster home applications for dogs without medical or behavioural special needs outside of the Calgary/Edmonton areas with the understanding that you must be able to transport your foster to/from our shelter locations for appointments as needed. For questions regarding this, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator.
Please apply using the links for the city closest to you!
AARCS’ foster program aims to temporarily house animals until they find their forever homes. We often have animals that have never been in homes, and need to learn everything that goes with living in a house and being a loved pet. We require a three-month commitment to fostering, and that you keep your foster until it is adopted. The foster program is not a foster-to-adopt trial period, but we do of course allow foster homes to adopt their foster animal.
We have an URGENT NEED for cat and dog fosters that are able to take in medical or behavioural/shy fosters, whelping/maternity foster homes, and/or that have no children and/or no other pets.
To be a medical or behavioural foster, only basic animal knowledge is required. We provide you with continuous professional medical and behavioural support. This is a great way to learn more about animals and to make a substantial difference in an animals life.
What is involved?
AARCS pays all reasonable expenses, including but not limited to, all veterinary care and food; when able, we provide other items such as toys, treats, kennels, etc.
Foster homes provide a safe, loving environment until a suitable adoptive home is found, and assists in providing basic training, house-training and transportation to vet appointments, etc. Foster homes will facilitate meet and greets with potential adoptive families.
Requirements for Fostering
01. Must be 18 years of age or older, and all members of the household must be in agreement.
02. All current animals in the home must be up-to-date on their vaccinations (some exceptions are allowed.)
03. All current animals in the home must be spayed/neutered, unless reasonable explanation (ie. current medical condition, too young, etc.)
04. Must have reliable transportation to bring foster animals to appointments at the vet and/or shelter.
05. A fenced yard may be required for some dogs depending on vaccine status and/or medical and/or behavioural needs of the individual dog.
06. Commitment to the duration of the time the animal is in foster care, this can range anywhere from two weeks to over four months. This can vary depending on the animal and the time of year.
07. Signed waiver and release.
10 Reasons to Foster
01. More foster homes means more animals rescued, and that means more lives saved.
02. You get to show and teach your foster animal what it is to be a happy, loved family pet.
04. You’ll undoubtedly get attached, but when you meet the new family that are ready to provide a permanent loving forever-home for the animal you helped to rescue through fostering, you will feel more than satisfied to see them move onto their new life.
05. Increased human interaction greatly helps foster animals who may come from isolated, neglectful or abusive situations.
06. Fostering increases the likelihood of adoption and dramatically reduces the chances of an animal being returned.
07. If you already have one or more animals, one more might not make a difference to you, but it will make a difference to the animal that otherwise may not have a second chance at life.
08. Fostering provides a great lesson to your children about compassion, nurturing and generosity. It’s a wonderful, life-affirming experience for an entire family, a couple or individual.
09. Animals that have endured hardship can really benefit from a loving home, one in which they can get used to living with people again.
10. You’ll receive animal companionship without a lifetime commitment!
Interested in Volunteering?
If you’re not sure about fostering just yet, why not give volunteering a try instead? This will give you a great introduction to the organization and the animals! We have a variety of volunteer positions available, ranging from hands-on animal caregiving to warehouse organization to data entry. Check out our Volunteer page here!
Apply to Foster
Foster applications are processed through our Better Impact Volunteer Software.
Please create a login and fill out an application to complete the process.
