ALERT: As of 12/12/25, Dog fosters are limited only to homes with no other dogs due to a not fatal, dog-only respiratory virus currently at the shelter. This very contagious virus not affect humans or cats but can be carried on people's hands and clothes to dogs. Cat fosters have not restrictions.
We rely on foster families to provide love and care to our most at-risk dogs and cats. Fostering is truly lifesaving! Here is everything you need to start a foster application.
Foster a pet notification.
Before Fostering
If you are interested in opening your home and providing socialization and love to a shelter animal, fostering might be for you! Fostering helps the pet you foster, and it also opens up a cage or kennel space for us to save another pet! Time commitments range from just a weekend, to a few weeks and possibly even several months, depending on your availability and interests.
Foster Requirements:
- Follow all policies and procedures as outlined in the Foster Care Manual (1.38 MB).
- Access e-mail regularly and provide transportation to and from Austin Animal Services.
- Provide some food and supplies for foster pets.
- Have up-to-date rabies vaccinations for all animals living in your home.
Foster Care Manual
In the Foster Care Manual, you will learn:
- Austin Animal Services fostering policies and procedures
- All about foster medical care
- Required reading for cat and/or dog fosters
- Helping your foster get adopted, or adopting your foster, and much more!
Read the Foster Care Manual (1.38 MB).
Foster Application
- Foster applications can take up to a week to process depending on volume - you will receive confirmation once you are approved.
- Please check your junk/spam folder!
Types of Animals Needing Foster
What kind of animals need fosters?
- Adult dogs and cats needing a break from the shelter. This can be anywhere from a couple of days to several months, depending on the type of pet and its particular needs.
- Dogs on the Urgent Placement list.
- Dogs and cats with special behavioral needs. Some of our animals lack socialization and training, and time spent in a foster home (one week to one month, or longer) working on obedience and basic skills can be lifesaving!
- Underage kittens.
- Neonatal kittens! They need bottle feeding every two to six hours, depending on their age.
- Pets featured on the "Who Needs You Most" Trello board.
- Animals recovering from illness, injury, or surgery. If you don’t have any other pets or have a large, quiet area of your home separate from other pets, we need you most of all for these types of animals! Having a quiet place to rest and recover makes a huge difference.
Austin Animal Services Hours & Location
Austin Animal Services Hours
- Walk-In Adoption & Reclaim: Daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Pet Resource Center: Daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for microchips and resources
Shelter address