Why do rescue groups need foster homes?

There are many reasons a dog might need foster care. Some of the most common include:

**A rescue group doesn't have a physical shelter and depends on foster homes to care for dogs until suitable homes are found.

** A puppy is too young to be adopted and needs a safe place to stay until he/she is old enough to go to a forever home.

** A dog recovering from surgery, illness, or injury and needs a safe place to recuperate.

**A dog has not lived in a home before or had not had much contact with people and needs to be socialized.

** The shelter is running our of room for adoptable dogs, as a general rule for many shelters, the dogs labelled as "pit bulls" are the first ones to be euthanized.

** Many shelters don't adopt out "pit bulls" or "pit bull" type dogs regardless of age, so these dogs are given limited amounts of time to find rescue or they are euthanized.

Why should I foster a dog?

Fostering a dog is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have (other than adopting, of course). By taking an animal in need temporarily into your home you're:

~freeing up a spot so the shelter or rescue can take in another dog.

~giving your foster dog the time it needs to be ready for adoption.

~helping the shelter or rescue learn more about the dog so he/she can end up in the best home possible.

~socializing the dog to a home environment and possibly getting him/her used to being around other pets and different types of people.

How do I sign up for a foster dog?

Contact us at ARFFMOrescue@gmail.com. We will require you to fill out a foster application. The application helps us to better suit your home environment and other pets/family

with the best foster fit.

Please read our fostering guidelines before applying to foster a dog.

Kevin found as a stray in Columbia, MO with a severe case of mange and a skin infection. Only 2-3 months old when saved.

Hope was found in Columbia MO on a farm and brought to the shelter barely alive. She was a victim of parvo who survived thanks to a VERY committed foster home.

Kensi was saved from death row where she would have been killed for being a pit bull. Without a foster Kensi wouldn't have ever found her forever home.

Karma, abandoned in Holts Summit, MO. Starved and with pups in the dead of winter she didn't stand a chance. We were able to save Karma but were unfortunately too late for her pups.

why fostering is great and

what it entails

The following was originally published on the Petfinder Blog by Jane Harrell, Petfinder.com associate producer

What does fostering a dog involve?

When you foster, you agree to take a homeless dog into your home and give him/her love, care and attention, either for a predetermined period of time or until the dog is adopted.

Fostering helps to save lives like the dogs shown below. All of which would have died without a foster home commitment. We thank and cherish each and every one of our foster homes!

Pit Bull Rescue