My home is run by three fuzz balls: a husky mix (Goose), a pocket pittie (Stevie) and one perfect siamese cat (Pepperoni). All three came from Humane Societies, each arriving with their own quirks, anxieties and training challenges. Watching them grow into confident, comfortable and well-mannered animals has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
Because of that experience, when a stressed Lonely Heart (dog that has been at the shelter for more than 60 days) at the La Plata County Humane Society needs a foster home to shed some worries, decompress and leave the shelter environment for a bit, I’m always down to set up another crate.
Fostering is often seen as something done solely for the benefit of shelter animals. While the impact on them is undeniable and immense, the benefits reach further still. Studies have shown that both shelter pets and household pets reap advantages from foster programs. The longer a dog is able to spend time in a foster home, the greater their chances of adoption becomes. A 2023 study by Gunter et al. found that dogs that experienced an overnight foster stay were 14 times more likely to be adopted than those dogs that did not get out. Even a brief outing of a few hours made dogs five times more likely to find a furrever home! These findings highlight something powerful: It doesn’t take a long-term commitment to make a life-changing difference.
What surprised me most was how fostering has improved the lives of my own pets. Stevie, once shy around unfamiliar dogs, has become rambunctious, confident and eager to greet each new four-legged guest. Goose has developed impressive social skills. He’s learned how to diffuse tense moments with play, ignore awkward interactions when needed, and help nervous dogs feel safe and welcome in his yard and home. Even Pepper, though understandably unimpressed with the rotating visitors, has become better at asserting her boundaries and communicating her needs more vibrantly.
Beyond the behavior improvements, fostering has brought subtle but meaningful changes to our household routine. Our pets have become more adaptable, patient and perhaps best of all, roughly 25% more tired each day thanks to the presence of a short-term buddy, usually staying for around two weeks. That extra enrichment from a new pup benefits everyone in the home!
If you’re looking for a tangible, rewarding way to give back to your community, fostering an animal may be the perfect opportunity. By opening your home, even temporarily, you help relieve overcrowding at local shelters and rescues while giving animals a chance to show their true personalities outside a stressful environment. You don’t need to be a professional trainer or lifelong pet expert – just someone willing to offer patience, consistency, love and care! Sometimes, changing a life begins with simply opening your door.
Amanda Bolton is foster coordinator at La Plata County Humane Society.
