Foster to Adopt

There are two ways to get started with Foster-to-Adopt. First, you can complete a foster application and let us know you’re interested in adopting your foster pet. Alternatively, you can fill out a general adoption application and indicate your interest in our People Focused Adoptions (PFA) program.

If your PFA application is approved, you’ll automatically be eligible for Foster-to-Adopt opportunities through that program. Our team will then work closely with you to find a great match based on your preferences.

With Foster-to-Adopt, you get to choose from animals who are coming to our rescue—those who have not yet been placed in a foster home. We focus this program on pets who need a foster home from the start, so we won’t move animals who are already comfortably settled in a foster home, as frequent moves can be stressful and harmful to them.

Our foster team works closely with you to help find a good match based on your preferences and lifestyle, ensuring the best fit for both you and the pet.

You can apply at any time, but we encourage applying early—even before a specific animal is posted—if you’re interested in Foster-to-Adopt. Applying in advance gives you access to a wider range of potential matches, including animals that are never publicly listed because they already have a foster (or foster-to-adopt) home lined up before arrival.

We often post incoming animals who need foster homes, but not all of them end up entering our care, and those with confirmed fosters won’t be posted at all. Submitting a general application and getting pre-approved ensures that you’ll be among the first to hear about animals that match your preferences and are eligible for FTA placement.

Because we rely on committed fosters to bring animals into our care, you will not meet the pet in advance. Foster-to-Adopt placements are made before the animal arrives, and your commitment to fostering is what allows us to safely pull the pet from the shelter in the first place.

We understand that can feel like a leap of faith, which is why our team works hard to match you with animals that fit your preferences and lifestyle, and provides ongoing support during the transition.

We always share as much information as we have about each animal before they arrive. In most cases, we know whether a dog is dog-friendly, whether a cat is cat-friendly, and that they’re generally good with people. However, we don’t always have full background details—some animals are owner surrenders, some are strays, and some come from overcrowded shelters with limited records.

We can’t guarantee that an animal is house-trained, leash-trained, or comfortable with kids or pets of a different species. That said, we’re transparent about what we do know, and we’ll never intentionally place an animal in a home that we believe is a poor match.

If you’re participating in Foster-to-Adopt, you’ll typically have about one week to decide whether you’d like to move forward with adopting the pet. During that time, you’ll care for the animal as a foster and get a better sense of whether they’re the right fit for your home and lifestyle.

Whether or not you choose to adopt, you’ll be expected to help us prepare the pet for adoption by submitting a short bio, some behavioral and medical information, and some photos. If you haven’t already completed an adoption application, you’ll also need to submit one before finalizing the adoption.

Our team will check in with you during the trial period and support you through either outcome, whether you say “yes” to forever or help the pet move on to their next chapter.

We ask that Foster-to-Adopt participants commit to caring for the pet until they’re adopted, even if you decide not to move forward with adoption yourself. This helps minimize disruption for the animal and gives our team time to find the right next step.

That said, we understand that sometimes it’s just not the right match. If you’re having a hard time, please let us know as soon as possible. We’ll do everything we can to support you—whether that’s finding an experienced foster you can lean on for support, connecting you to our behavior team, or beginning the process of finding another foster home. Just know that moving a pet isn’t immediate and takes at least few days, so your patience and communication are greatly appreciated.

Yes! Many of our Foster-to-Adopt families have resident pets or children. That said, it’s important that any pets in the home are in good health and up to date on vaccines and preventatives. Incoming animals may not yet be spayed or neutered, and some may be recovering from mild shelter illnesses like kennel cough, so keeping everyone safe and healthy is key.

You’ll also need to be able to separate the new pet from resident pets when needed, do slow and supervised introductions, and closely monitor interactions with children—especially in the early days while everyone adjusts. Our team is here to offer tips and support to help ensure a smooth transition.

The adoption fee is only paid after you’ve decided to move forward with adoption. Once your Foster-to-Adopt period ends, you’ve confirmed your intent to adopt, and the animal is medically cleared, you’ll finalize the adoption and submit the adoption fee at that time.

Every FTA home is assigned a foster mentor, an experienced volunteer who’s there to answer questions and guide you through the process. You’ll also have access to our foster and medical teams for health or behavior concerns, and a network of volunteers who are always happy to share advice and encouragement.

Every animal is different, and adjusting to a new home can take time. It’s normal to experience some challenges, like accidents, barking, chewing, or anxiety in the first few days. That’s all part of the transition—and we’re here to help every step of the way to make sure it’s a positive experience for both you and your future pet.

Louie’s Legacy covers routine and standard veterinary care through our approved vets, including vaccines, spay/neuter, preventatives, and treatment for common conditions such as infections or parasites. If a medical issue comes up with a FTA animal in your care, you’ll be directed to work with our medical team for care and treatment.

When you’re fostering a pet through Foster-to-Adopt, your commitment is our priority, and we won’t consider other adoption applications until your decision window passes.

If your decision window passes or you decide not to adopt, we will then open the animal to applications from other adopters. If the pet is reposted or offered to other applicants, we review all applications in the order they’re received to find the best match. This process ensures fairness while honoring your important role in the pet’s journey.


Foster-to-Adopt requires a commitment to foster the animal before adopting, so if fostering isn’t an option for you, we encourage you to explore our regular adoption process.

You might also be a great fit for our People Focused Adoptions (PFA) program, where our team works directly with you to find a match from animals already in foster care

Generally, Foster-to-Adopt pets do not attend adoption events for the purpose of meeting potential adopters, since they’re already matched with a potential adoptive family (you!).

However, you may be asked to bring your FTA pet to a PetSmart adoption event or location to finalize the adoption, as this helps us qualify for important grant funding.

If you haven’t already completed an adoption application, you’ll fill one out at this stage. A member of our adoptions team will connect with you to confirm that this pet is a good long-term fit for your home.

Meanwhile, our medical team will ensure your foster pet is fully medically cleared and ready for adoption. Once everything is set, you’ll complete the final steps (like paying the adoption fee) and officially welcome your new family member home!