Dog Foster Program Information

Dog Foster Program

Norfolk Animal Care Center began the medium and large dog foster program in March 2019. Since its launch, hundreds of at-risk dogs have found positive outcomes. This program directly supports adoption efforts by giving dogs the opportunity to showcase their true personalities in a home environment. Interested fosters can come by the shelter any time between 1:30-6:00pm Thursday-Tuesday to meet with a dog. Fosters fill out a standard adoption application, foster agreement, and foster dogs can typically leave the same day. However, an adoption is always prioritized over a standard foster. Most animals in foster care are still intact then go on a waitlist for surgery once they go into a foster home. We do not have a minimum foster period but just ask you to communicate at the time of pickup when the pup needs to return so we can plan accordingly. Our maximum foster period is three months, at the end of the three months if the dog has not been adopted yet - you will bring the dog back and are welcome to leave with a different foster pup the same day! Continue reading down this page for more information on fostering.

Types of Dogs for Fostering

The majority of dogs needing foster care are between 1 and 8 years old and are typically Pit Bull, Labrador, Shepherd or other medium and large breed mixes.

Juveniles: Puppies under 6 months old that have not been spayed or neutered.
Seniors: Dogs aged 7 years and up.
Healthy, behaviorally normal adult dogs in times of shelter overcrowding.
Healthy, behaviorally normal long-term shelter residents.
Confirmed pregnant female dogs or nursing dogs with their puppies.
Animals requiring medical care or monitoring.
Shy or timid dogs that need a quieter, more relaxed environment.

Medical Care

All dogs must be spayed/neutered, Microchipped, Bordetella/Distemper/ and Rabies vaccinated at the time of adoption. As a foster, you will be responsible for bringing your foster in for their routine vaccinations (every few weeks.) While all animals are checked for general health before going into foster, they may develop other health concerns along the way and may need to be seen by the shelter veterinarian. NACC provides all basic medical care for our foster animals at the shelter with the shelter veterinarian at no cost to the Foster.

Getting Ready to Foster a Dog

Where to keep your foster dog? Planning where you will keep your foster dog before you bring it home will make the entire process easier for you, your household and your foster dog. When you first bring your foster dog home, you'll want to familiarize your foster dog with certain areas. Make sure your foster dog knows where their crate and water are kept. Walk them around the yard ON A LEASH until they feel comfortable in their surroundings.

Dog Foster Program Information