Temp Fostering at Underdog Pet Rescue: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters
- underdogpetrescue
- 8 hours ago
- 5 min read
What Is Temp Fostering?
Underdog Pet Rescue is a foster based rescue located in Madison, Wisconsin. This means we do not have a shelter, and we rely solely on our foster homes to house animals while they wait for adoption. These homes are run by volunteers who balance fostering with work, family, travel, and everything else life brings.
At Underdog Pet Rescue, temp fosters provide short-term coverage for a primary foster home. When a foster family has travel plans, becomes ill, or needs to step away temporarily for whatever reason, a temp foster cares for the animal for a short period of time.
Temp fosters help make sure animals always have a safe and loving place to land, even when unexpected things pop up. It is one of the most flexible yet impactful ways to help animals in shelters waiting to find their forever home.
Why Temp Fosters Matter
Sometimes the availability of a temp foster is what allows another foster to say ‘yes’ in the first place. An Underdog foster volunteer may be ready to welcome a dog or cat into their home but can only commit if they know someone can step in for a few days.
When a temp foster steps forward, it can be the difference between an animal remaining in a partner rescue down south—where adoption opportunities are far more limited—and getting their ticket north to continue their journey toward a forever home.
A few days of care can change the course of an animal’s life.
How Long Does Temp Fostering Last?
One of the most appealing parts of temp fostering is that the timeline is known in advance.
Temp fosters agree to the specific dates and length of the stay before the animal arrives at their home. Temporary foster stays could last anywhere from a day or two, to a few weeks.
As a temp foster, you are “in charge” of the commitment.
Knowing the exact days an animal will be staying in your home makes it easier for some people to commit, which is part of the beauty of temp fostering.
What Animals Need Temp Fosters?
Temp fosters can home dogs, cats, and critters, though dogs currently make up the majority of temp foster needs at Underdog.
In most cases, the animal already has a primary foster home and is simply staying with the temp foster until their primary foster returns. Alternatively, a temp foster may pick the animal up from a transport and house him until the primary foster is available (again, always agreed upon in advance).
It is a short stop along the way, yet so important to many animals’ journey.
What Support Is Provided to Fosters?
Underdog works to make fostering as accessible as possible.
One of the many perks of being a foster is that Underdog has both a supply trailer and a storage unit filled with many of the essential items foster homes may need, including:
Food
Leashes
Crates
Toys
Dog beds
Cat litter
Other basic supplies
Since Underdog relies on donations, we cannot guarantee availability of all items, but just check out this reel to see for yourselves some of the MANY supplies Underdog offers its fosters.
Many experienced fosters eventually build their own small collection of supplies at home, but this is not a requirement. Sometimes the primary foster also sends necessary supplies, such as food or medication, with the animal.
Most importantly, Underdog covers all veterinary care and medical costs while an animal is in foster placement.
Do Temp Fosters Need Experience?
Prior fostering experience is not required to become a foster.
All new fosters (including temp fosters) will be paired with a mentor who will be there to answer questions and provide support. Mentors stay paired with new fosters for the first three animals a new family cares for.
One of the many things that sets Underdog apart from other rescues is that we also have two professional trainers who can provide behavioral support and answer questions that arise including:
Jorge for dog behavior questions
Holly for cat behavior questions
Fosters also have access to experienced volunteers who can answer questions about animal behavior and care.
The Benefits of Temp Fostering
Temp fostering offers many of the same rewards as long-term fostering, but with a shorter and more predictable commitment.
For many volunteers, one of the most meaningful parts is helping another foster say ‘yes’ to an animal who needs rescue.
Temp fostering also offers:
A clear and predictable timeline
Sense of community and relationship-building with foster volunteer colleagues
The opportunity to meet a variety of animals and personalities (One of our temp fosters described it as a “sampler platter” of animals — young, senior, shy, silly, energetic, or couch potato.)
As one of our temp foster families shared:
“The financial investment is minimal, the time commitment is in your control, and the rewards are beyond measure.”
Even a few days in your home can help move an animal one step closer to their forever family.
Is Temp Fostering Right for You?
Temp fostering may be a great fit for:
First-time fosters
People with busy or unpredictable schedules
People who travel frequently
Animal lovers unsure about long-term fostering
Anyone looking for a flexible way to help rescue animals
Because the timeline is known in advance, temp fostering allows many people to help who might otherwise feel unable to foster.
How to Become a Temp Foster
The first step to becoming a temp foster is filling out a foster application.
All fosters complete the same application and training process before welcoming animals into their homes, regardless of whether they plan to foster regularly or temporarily. Some people serve as both primary fosters and temp fosters, stepping in to temp foster roles during busy seasons of life when they cannot commit to an animal long-term.
The steps to becoming a foster include:
Filling out a foster application
Attending a live foster training session via Zoom
Being paired with an experienced foster mentor
Once approved, foster homes are also added to Underdog’s private Facebook group, which is the main communication hub for foster volunteers.
In the group, fosters can find:
Animals in need of foster homes
Temporary foster opportunities
Upcoming events and ways to help
Ready to take the next step and truly become a life-saver to an animal waiting for their second chance?
Apply to become a foster here:https://www.underdogpetrescue.org/foster-home-application
If you have questions about fostering, you may also reach out to our foster coordinator at: fosters@underdogpetrescue.org
Sometimes the biggest difference you can make only takes a few days.
Even a short stay in your home plays a role in helping an animal reach their forever family. Temp fosters get to be part of that journey AND part of their happy ending.
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