Become a Foster Parent

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 rehome hundreds of animals each year.

When you foster, you bring in a cat, dog or critter into your home and give him/her the love and care like you would your own pet. You provide a temporary, 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 which we think is something very valuable in all aspects of life. By opening your home and heart to a homeless pet YOU will save a life of a homeless pet.

AARCS’ foster program aims to temporarily home 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.

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.

What’s Involved? Click Here!

New to Edmonton! 🐱

Please kindly 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. If you’re able to help, please submit an application.

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.

Conditions 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).

04. Must have reliable transportation to bring foster animals to appointments at the vet and/or shelter.

05. Ideally a completely fenced yard for dog foster homes, but we do have exceptions depending on the circumstances and the type of 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.

Fostering In Calgary

AARCS is currently accepting applications for foster homes for medium/large breed dogs/puppies, cats/kittens, and medical or behavioural fosters. We do not currently have a need for foster homes for small breed dogs.

Fostering In Edmonton

We have a need for fosters for all types of dogs: puppies, medical, shy, behavioural, whelping/maternity foster homes. Apply today!
We currently do not have a cat foster program in Edmonton.

Medical & Behavioural Foster Homes

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, we only require basic animal knowledge. We provide you with trainers, vets/AHTs, and continuous support. This is a great way to learn more about animals and to make a substantial difference in an animals life.

APPLY TODAY!

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.

03. Its fun!!!

04. You’ll undoubtedly get attached, but when you meet the new family, that 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 often come from 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 won’t 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. Its 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.

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.

YOU CAN SAVE A LIFE