Foster Process
Our foster program is the life-line for these pets in need of rescue. For every person who volunteers to foster by signing up on our calendar, we place a rescued pet on the transport to come to Northern Virginia from Mississippi. With Wolf Trap Animal Rescue, there are two experiences for fostering. The first type of foster experience is the Basic Foster, which is where a person volunteers to foster any puppy, dog, cat or kitten in need of being rescued during a time that works with their schedule. The second type of foster experience is the Bespoke foster experience. With increasing desires for fostering, this new bespoke foster experience is designed to give priority for fosters who have special requirements or restrictions with their schedule or with their living situation. All fosters whether basic or bespoke have priority to adopt, however this bespoke experience allows fosters to provide personal insight on what type of pet they desire to foster.
WTAR provides all the supplies you would need for a 3-week foster period regardless of the type of foster you are!
Follow the steps below, and get ready to foster!
Submit Foster Application
There are two types of dog foster applications, based on the type of foster experience you desire:
Bespoke Experience: Includes the one-time, non-refundable Foster Application Fee of $25 & allows you to schedule and select dates on the foster calendar. This personalizes the foster matching process as close as we can to what you are looking for! If you have restrictions or special requests on the type of dog you can foster, this is the experience for you.
Basic Foster Experience: No application fee, allows you to schedule and select dates on the foster calendar. You cannot make foster requests outside your general age range sign up from the calendar. This experience is for those who want to support the mission and help rescue by fostering!
Sign up on the Calendar!
Foster opportunities are designated periods of only 3 weeks in duration and listed on our Transport Calendar. When transports are scheduled, foster opportunities are opened for volunteers to sign up. Whether you are a basic or bespoke foster, be sure to sign up!
If you do not see any available spots, see our transport calendar and sign up as a back-up foster!
Bespoke Foster: Hints for Success
For our Bespoke fosters, our mission is to best match you with your perfect foster. While we can’t guarantee a specific type or breed of pet will be on a transport, we’ll try to match you as best as we can.
Start thinking about:
What age of pet you are looking to foster?
Hint: older pets (6 months or older) typically have a more immediate opportunity for fostering!
What size (larg-er breed? small-er breed? weight restrictions?)?
What breed you are looking for (or restricted from)?
Are you looking to foster with littermates?
Hint: This is often easier for nighttime struggles!
If you are open to any or all of the above!
Please note, the more specific you are for a certain type of pet, the more difficult it may be to match - thus the longer it may take!
Want to know more about the process? Be sure to go to our “Foster Experience” page to learn more about what to expect during the foster experience!
