ARF is always in need of committed foster parents who can give a rescued dog or cat a temporary home and get it started on its way. Most of our animals have never been inside a home before and have not always been treated very well; therefore, they need some basic training and lots of love.
Please Note: All foster homes must be in the Calgary area. All food and medical care is provided.
Our amazing foster homes care for an animal and attend to all of its needs, including:
- Transport to vet appointments (if needed)
- feeding, walking and training
- having potential adopters in your home to meet your foster
- Attend adoption events.
Why Foster an Animal?
Some of the benefits of fostering include:
- If you’re considering adopting, you can see what the full-time commitment is like by fostering a dog or cat in your home (please note that we request you commit to at least 6 months of fostering before adopting. We can only rescue as many animals as we have foster homes for, so we need committed foster homes on an on-going basis)
- You will have the joy of watching a puppy/kitten play, grow and flourish in your care
- You will teach your children responsibility and care for an animal
- We are very flexible, if you can’t foster for part of the summer or you’re going away, you can take a break and pick back up again when you return.
- You can be directly involved in saving a dog or cat’s life!!
Current Opportunities to Foster an Animal
Below are the various types of foster homes we need and a brief description. If you’re interested in fostering for us, fill out a foster home application and one of our Program Coordinators will contact you as soon as possible!
Please note: Because each animal’s best interest is our top priority, we fully support and promote reward-based training techniques and ask that our volunteers, foster homes and adopters do too. View our Position on Training for more information.
Cat Fostering
Foster Homes for Cats
Standard foster homes care for kittens or adult cats who are available for adoption, get them started on learning how to be good feline companions, and see them through the adoption process. Foster homes should be willing to occasionally attend adoption events.
Holding Areas for Cats
Holding areas take adult cats or litters of kittens with or without their mom and look after them in their homes until they can be moved into foster homes. Occasionally, kittens without a mom may have to be hand fed until they are big enough to be moved, but that is one of the best parts of the job! This volunteer position is crucial for ARF as it enables us to immediately rescue cats and kittens that are in dire circumstances while giving our Cat Program Coordinator time to arrange foster homes.
Cat Sitters
When foster homes goes on vacation, ARF needs temporary foster homes to care for cats and kittens while their foster families are away. Cat Sitters are in dire need during summer vacations and during winter holidays, but are needed throughout the year.
Dog Fostering
Foster Homes for Dogs
Standard foster homes care for puppies or adult dogs who are available for adoption, get them started on learning how to be a good canine companion and see them through the adoption process. Foster homes should be willing to attend adoption events and PetSmart showings.
Recovery Foster Homes
We are always looking for special families that will commit to being a foster home for three months in order to care for dogs that have had recent surgery and give them time to recover.
Holding Areas for Dogs
Holding Areas take litters of pups with or without their mom and look after them in their homes until they can be moved to foster homes. This volunteer position is crucial for ARF as it enables us to rescue puppies that are in dire circumstances immediately and gives our Dog Program Coordinator time to arrange foster home housing.
Dog Sitters
When foster homes goes on vacation, ARF needs temporary foster homes to care for dogs and puppies while their foster families are away. Dog Sitters are in dire need during summer vacations and during winter holidays, but are needed throughout the year.
