The Association Blog

Wanna grow your foster pool from 35 to, say, 400?! Your colleagues in their field share not-so-secret strategies to get you there

Hill’s Pet Nutrition just released their 2024 State of Shelter Adoption Report, and you may be surprised to learn that 64% of survey respondents say they’d be likely to foster if food and supplies were covered. And considering that there’s been a small decrease in awareness of fostering programs, it’s a smart to move to continue to promote these opportunities. But what’s the most effective messaging? And what are ways to make the experience so positive that volunteers want to keep doing it?

The Association recently checked in with three of your colleagues in the field who’ve had big successes as foster program coordinators, and asked for their advice on how to get—and keep—more foster volunteers. In addition to removing any barriers to becoming a foster—i.e. provide the supplies, drop the weeks or months of training and/or on-site volunteering before they’re eligible—here’s what else they had to say.

Make it real

“For me,” says Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control’s Emilee Smith, “I always go back to transparency.”

Try not to assume that your community knows your exact need—so be specific. “And if you’re really struggling for fosters,” adds Smith, “make that well-known.”

Make it do-able

“Let them know that it doesn’t have to be a long period of time,” recommends Suzy Clayton, who has created programs at both nonprofit and municipal agencies. A month-long commitment may seem daunting—or simply not possible—for some volunteers, so consider tapping into those Doggy Day Out and weekend sleepover programs.

“Even a day out at the park will help a kennel-stressed dog, or taking him home for the weekend to decompress in a home environment and get some information and photos,” urges Clayton. Be sure to share all these options upfront.

Make it about them, too

Have you considered what your potential fosters are looking to get out of the program? “Obviously we know what we need to get out of the program,” says MSPCA-Angell’s Jacquie McKay, “but it’s important that they are fulfilled by fostering for us, so they continue to foster. The first questions we always ask them are, ‘Why do you want to foster?  What inspired you to foster for us?’”

Through this conversation, the team at MSPCA will often find out that a volunteer travels a lot, but would love to do one- or two-night fosters. They’re then able to look for opportunities with that volunteer in mind.

For more tips like this, listen to The Intake’s latest podcast for the complete conversation.

Learn More

Podcast: Grow Your Foster Program, Texas-Style
Blog: Texas-Sized Growth for Your Foster Program
Tip of the Week: 2024 State of Shelter Adoption Report