Fostering is a great way to give back!
Foster homes are needed for dogs at Cleveland Animal Care & Control! We work with a wide group of rescue organizations that take dogs from the kennel to help ease our overfull population. Many groups would like to take more dogs from the kennel, but need more foster homes to do so!
Fostering is an incredibly rewarding experience. By bringing a dog into your home, you not only help to open up space at our crowded kennel, but you also get to know their personality so much better. Fostering is great if you’re not ready to commit to adopting a dog yourself, and in most cases, the foster organization covers medical expenses and supplies for the dog.
Fostering is also a commitment and it’s important to understand that dogs coming out of a stressful shelter will more than likely need some time, patience, and a little training to adjust. Foster dogs may need to be kept separate from resident pets at first and given time to integrate gradually. Most organizations need longer-term foster homes that can host a dog until it is adopted. However, there are so many different organizations and dogs in need, that you can find a situation to suit most household needs, whether you are suited for puppies or seniors! Most of these groups are run entirely by volunteers and operate solely through foster homes rather than a physical shelter. You must follow the foster organization’s specific requirements for vetting, training, etc, while working with them. If you have any questions about the process, please message us or email citydogs@clevelandohio.gov
These organizations are based in northeast Ohio and are seeking new fosters so they can help more of our dogs.
A New Leash on Life
A New Leash on Life
A New Leash on Life
A New Leash on Life: focuses on rescuing dogs from local shelters. Most in need of long-term committed fosters. Application: https://www.anewleashonliferescue.com/forms/
Berea Animal Rescue
A New Leash on Life
A New Leash on Life
Berea Animal Rescue Fund: welcomes fosters for any types of dogs but specifically scared or dogs that need extra training! Anyone interested should email rsantodomingo@bereaanimalrescue.com
CLE Dog Rescue Crew
A New Leash on Life
Forget Me Not Animal Rescue
CLE Dog Rescue Crew: dedicated to rescuing animals left homeless for whatever reason – in public shelters where they are at high risk of euthanasia due to pet overpopulation, given up by their owners because of difficult circumstances, and those in danger of abuse or neglect. . Email dmz.cledogrescuecrew@gmail.com
Forget Me Not Animal Rescue
Lake Erie Labrador Retriever Rescue
Forget Me Not Animal Rescue
Forget Me Not Animal Rescue: welcomes new fosters to be able to pull dogs from the Cleveland Kennel. Based in Strongsville, OH but can work with fosters in the NEO area. Application: https://forgetmenotanimalrescue.weebly.com/foster...
Lake Erie Labrador Retriever Rescue
Lake Erie Labrador Retriever Rescue
Lake Erie Labrador Retriever Rescue
Lake Erie Labrador Retriever Rescue, Inc.: Specializes in lab and lab-mixes only. Application:
Maggie's Mission
Lake Erie Labrador Retriever Rescue
Lake Erie Labrador Retriever Rescue
Maggie's Mission: a foster home based rescue mostly in the Akron/Medina area, but we welcome Cleveland fosters if they’re willing to drive down to use our vet in Medina. Application:
Mercy's Door Pet Rescue Inc.
Mercy's Door Pet Rescue Inc.
Mercy's Door Pet Rescue Inc.
Mercy's Door Pet Rescue Inc.: specializes in pulling pittie-type dogs, willing to work with those with complicated medical needs to literally help save lives! Application: https://mercysdoorpetrescue.org/foster.html
Mutts in a Rut Rescue
Mercy's Door Pet Rescue Inc.
Mercy's Door Pet Rescue Inc.
Mutts in a Rut Rescue is a volunteer-based organization can always use more fosters in the Cleveland area. Application: https://www.muttsinarutrescue.com/volunteer
Muttley Crue Rescue CLE
Mercy's Door Pet Rescue Inc.
Muttley Crue Rescue CLE
Muttley Crue Rescue CLE is a foster-based organization with particular interest in pitties/bully breeds. Most in need of fosters who can keep an open mind and are prepared to give dogs time to settle in and adjust. Application: https://muttleycruerescue.com/volunteerfosterdonate.html
Multiple Breed Rescue
R.E.A.L Rottweiler Rescue
Muttley Crue Rescue CLE
Multiple Breed Rescue: open to pulling most types of dogs for fosters. Meet and greets generally are held at their boarding/training facility in Grafton, OH. Application: https://www.mbrohio.com/foster-information .
Parma Animal Shelter
R.E.A.L Rottweiler Rescue
R.E.A.L Rottweiler Rescue
Parma Animal Shelter: welcomes foster for non-pit dogs due to Parma city ordinances. Open to pulling medical needs dogs as well as any age. Email dogadoptions@parmashelter.org
R.E.A.L Rottweiler Rescue
R.E.A.L Rottweiler Rescue
R.E.A.L Rottweiler Rescue
R.E.A.L. Rottweiler Rescue: welcomes fosters for Rottweilers primarily, as well as mastiffs and shepherds. Apply to foster at www.realrottweilerrescue.com
The Rescue Inn
The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs
The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs
The Rescue Inn: accepts new fosters and works with foster-to-adopt situations. Fosters are matched with dogs compatible with their family including current animals. Application: potential fosters should email therescueinn@gmail.com and request a Foster FAQ information packet.
The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs
The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs
The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs
The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs: only takes in senior dogs, which can be a uniquely rewarding experience to foster. Fosters should understand that senior dogs often take longer to get adopted than younger dogs, so turnaround times may not be quick. Fosters should be prepared for more age-related medical needs. Application: http://www.sanctuaryforseniordogs.org/id3.htm
Toby's Critter Cove
The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs
Toby's Critter Cove
Toby's Critter Cove: open to pulling all types of dogs for approved fosters, including those with particular medical or behavioral needs. Application: https://tobyscrittercoverescue.org/foster-application/