What it Means to Foster
Because we are a foster-based rescue with no physical shelter, we only have the capacity to save as many dogs as we have foster parents. When you become a foster parent with Muddy Paws Rescue, you will personally be saving the life of a dog who might have otherwise not received a second chance.
Our foster parents begin with a training video as a part of their orientation to review the basics of fostering a pup and provided with basic supplies, and are matched with an experienced personal foster buddy for support. All foster parents are encouraged to join our incredibly supportive online community of foster parents, and for more experienced foster parents wanting to help a wider range of dogs, we provide specialized in-person classes with professional dog trainers.
Ready to register?
Make sure you’ve reviewed our FAQs below before submitting your registration form. Please note that a submission does not guarantee finalized registration status. Please allow up to 5-7 business days for a response, and check your spam/junk folders in case our messages get caught.
If you are having any issues submitting your registration, please contact us.
Fostering Outside of the City
While the majority of our pups are required to attend our weekly adoption events, we find ourselves with a few more special dogs these days who are unable to handle the city atmosphere. These pups require placement outside of the city, and we need more fosters in quiet areas to take them in. Our team will work closely with you to provide the support and guidance needed to set you, and your foster pup, up for success. If you live outside of the city and are willing to help our special pups, please register to foster above.
How it Works
Step 1: REGISTER
Review our FAQs before registering below. Once you’ve registered, we’ll email you to ask you to complete our online orientation. Once complete, we will schedule a one-on-one welcome call with a foster team member if you have any remaining questions. Keep an eye on that pesky junk/spam folder so you don’t miss our notifications!
Step 2: SCHEDULE
Once fully registered, we’ll send you instructions to note your preferences and availability for the coming weeks. If anything changes on your end, just update your portal to keep us in the know! Foster dogs and puppies have an average length of stay of 2-3 weeks.
Step 3: Foster match
Our scheduled transports run several times per month. Our Foster Team will match you with a pup the week of transport via email, based on your preferences and availability.
Learn more about Our Foster Matching Process
Step 4: the fun part
Once you confirm, you’ll receive an email detailing the time and location for pickup. After picking up your pup, you’ll have the support of your assigned foster buddy to help with any questions or concerns that arise during your time with your foster pup.
Step 5: Goodbye
The majority of our fosters are expected to bring their pups to/from our adoption events every Saturday - helping make sure that our pups have every opportunity to find their forever home! Goodbye is the goal, and being part of a dog’s journey is the ultimate rewarding experience.
Foster FAQs
Have a question that you don’t see answered below? Contact us!
+ Are there requirements to become a foster?
All foster registrants must be 21 years of age or older and live within a 90-minute radius to Manhattan. If you are outside of this radius due to living in a suburban or rural area, please register and our team will be in touch to discuss potential special circumstances for pups who require placement outside of the city.
+ How long is the foster commitment?
The average length of stay for a Muddy Paws pup is approximately 2-3 weeks, but that can vary depending on factors like age, breed, size, etc. If you have a time constraint (for example, you can only foster for 3 weeks), please let us know as far in advance as possible so that we can accommodate and make sure we have another foster home for the pup if necessary.
+ What type of support will I receive?
Every foster parent is matched with a foster buddy - a seasoned volunteer member of our foster team - for one-on-one support. All foster parents are also invited to join our private Facebook group - a wonderful community in which you can share photos, experiences, and ask advice from seasoned foster parents. You will also receive our comprehensive foster manual after completing our online orientation and registration process.
+ What am I expected to provide?
We can provide you with a crate, food, toys, and treats - we just ask that you provide shelter, basic supples (and love!). You are not responsible for medical care costs. If you are fostering and have a question about medical care, please contact your Foster Buddy immediately.
+ Do you cover vet bills?
Muddy Paws Rescue covers all essential vet costs for our dogs, and we have several vet partners in NYC and surrounding areas who work with us to provide them with the best possible care.
+ Do I get to choose my foster dog?
Yes! As a registered foster, you have access to a portal where you can see pups who need placement. You have the ability to submit interest in fostering specific pups! Or, our team can strategically match you with a foster dog based on your registration information. We take your preference for age/breed/size in consideration before matching you with a dog. With either option, our ultimate goal is to find the best foster home for our dogs in need.
+I already have a dog. Can I still foster?
Yes, you can still foster with a resident dog as long as your dog is up to date on vaccines and is altered. You won’t be able to meet your foster dog in advance but Muddy Paws will always make a conscious effort to match you with a foster that we feel both you and your dog could do well with. Our team will help you take all necessary steps to ensure you and the dogs stay safe and comfortable.
+ Can my family, friend, or neighbor adopt my foster dog?
If someone you know is interested in adopting your foster dog, please direct them to our website and encourage them to register to adopt. Please note that our Adoptions Team cannot expedite applications for friends or family of our fosters, and because our adoption registration process takes time, the dog may be adopted before your friend or family member is fully registered to adopt. Luckily, they will be registered to adopt a Muddy Paws dog for a year after that, and our Adoptions Team will be happy to work with them on finding their forever dog!
+ I'm registered! Where can I update my upcoming availability?
We are so glad to have you as part of our foster community! You can always update your availability in your portal at any point. Note that you do not just have to choose transport weekends, as sometimes we have instances where dogs might need a different foster mid-week and it is a huge help to know everyone who is available at a given time.
+ I CAN'T KEEP MY DOG, CAN I GIVE THEM TO YOU? / I FOUND A STRAY, WILL YOU TAKE IT?
Generally, we don’t take in owner surrenders or stray pets that were not originally adopted from Muddy Paws, as all our foster homes are at capacity with dogs that we take in from open-intake shelter partners. We recommend reaching out to Animal Care Centers of NYC - they will accept the dog where it will be available for adoption/rescue placement. Rescues are more likely to help a pet in the shelter as this is where they get medical treatment and evaluated based on their behavior. Or, ACC has a deferred intake program, which means that you or someone you know can act as a foster until they find rescue/adoption placement.
Note that once you register, you’ll need to sign our contract before you can become a foster with Muddy Paws.
Not sure if FOSTERING is right for you? Consider other ways to GET INVOLVED.
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