When it comes to making a difference for overpopulated and understaffed animal shelters,opens in a new tab volunteering as a foster is one of the most helpful things you can do. As a foster guardian, you can provide a safe place for dogs who are on their way to their permanent home and relieve the stress on the shelter staff. But before you sign up, you should know: Getting into the foster game requires a little prep work — and a little prep shopping.
Ahead of your foster journey, stock up on the necessary tools to help you and your new friend succeed. Let’s get the obvious ones out of the way: You’ll definitely need dog food, and you should always continue to feed them whatever the rescue, shelter, or past pet parent was feeding the dog. And hey, throw in some fun stuff, too. They’ll love being with you all the more if you don’t just give the pups what they need but give the pups what they want.
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One helpful bonus for foster families: all your unreimbursed purchases for fostering from qualifying organizations can be written off as a tax deductionopens in a new tab. Plus, a lot of shelters will help set you up with the necessities, so check with the organization you’re fostering through before you start shopping. Below, everything you’ll need to set yourself and your foster pup up for success, from must-haves to adorable extras.
Btw, our editors (and their pets) picked out these products. They’re always in stock at the time we publish, but there’s a chance they’ll sell out. If you do buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (We’ve got a lot of toys to buy over here, you know?)
Wire cratesopens in a new tab like this are a good option because they fold up and flatten for transport and storage easily. This one is also billed as sturdy and escape resistant. This means it’s easy to tuck away when you’re between fosters. The mid-range price point also makes it a good starter crate that can be repurposed and cleaned with ease.
There are a few things you want in a crate pad — the most important among them is a removable cover that you can wash. This orthopedic mat has that, plus it uses breathable fabric to help keep your dog cool. A bonus? The orthopedic mattress will offer more support than a stuffed mat, which is helpful for olderopens in a new tab or anxious dogs.
Most dogs you’ll foster will not enter your house a potty-trained pup. Regular old disposable pee pads will do the trick, but you better make sure you have enough of them stockpiled for inevitable accidents. These Amazon wee wee pads will help your foster dog get the hang of things as you work on potty training.
Treats are a great training toolopens in a new tab for your foster dog, as well as a wonderful way to break the ice and show them you’re the source of positive outcomes. These limited-ingredient treats are a good starting place as your foster adjusts to the good life and they find the flavors their palate prefers.
Most dogs tend to be destructive opens in a new tab when they’re understimulated, but we don’t always have time to give them all the attention they want. This lick pad is good for foster novices and combines a slow feeder with the mat. A combined toy like this will give you a bowl alternative and is a simple starting place — just smear it with dog-safe peanut butter opens in a new taband let your doggo lick away.
Puppies are notorious chewers as they go through teething, which starts at about four months old. This toy is a soothing chew that will help your pup alleviate the pain in their gums — but with ridges and chewiness that will keep them engaged.
As sweet as your new foster may be, they might also still carry that specific shelter smell or just be in need of some grooming.opens in a new tab This shampoo uses aromatherapy to soothe anxious dogs opens in a new taband is an affordable alternative to some of the more chichi grooming options.
New fosters are considered a flight riskopens in a new tab, and many of them have not yet been trained to recall and sometimes even going on walks will be totally new territory. Martingale collars opens in a new tabare as escape-proof as they get and are a must for a new foster. Once you have their trust, you can investigate changing to a harness.
Need a trusted leash? Get the one that goes best with your martingale collaropens in a new tab! There are no fancy bells and whistles here, just a simple hand leash. You want the four-foot model because as your foster either learns to walk on leash or learns to trust you (or both), you want to keep them close.
This item is currently not available in the featured “rouge red” color, but other colors are available.
There’s a lot of greenwashing in dog poop. Sustainability expert Dave Coast recommendsopens in a new tab using GreenPolly’s recycled poop bags. They’re made from materials that were already trashed and will not release methane, unlike the so-called compostable bags.
If you have another dog in the house, you may need to separate your foster until they and the rest of the pack are ready for their big meet-and-greet. Or, you may need to leave the house, and if your foster isn’t loving the crate, a baby gate is a great way to restrict them to one room with an easy-clean floor and minimal destructive possibilities. A simple baby gate can provide boundaries for your foster and keep your couch pillows safe from anxiety-induced destruction.
Squirrels and squeaks: two things that endlessly fascinate our dogs, together at last! You stuff the squeaky squirrels in the tree, and your dog’s job is to hunt all six of them down in a kind of hide and seek.
Kongs are less about solving a puzzle than keeping a dog busy. Fill the hollow middle opens in a new tabwith peanut butter and kibble, then freeze it, to keep a dog with separation anxiety distracted when you leave the house.
A set of high sided bowls that your foster pup won’t make a total mess with? Check. One that’s easy on the eyes and costs a mere 14 buckeroos? Also check. I'm not sure what more we could ask for from a preliminary set of food and water bowls that your pup may or may not grow out of while in your care (assuming there’s a chance you’ll become a foster fail).
Courtney is a freelance writer and podcaster whose work has appeared in Esquire, Pitchfork, Eater, and more. Her prior work includes working as an editor and music critic for Refinery29 and CBS Radio. And she's the author of the essay collection Record Collecting for Girls. She lives in Dallas, Texas with her rescue dog, Casey, where they volunteer together with the SPCA’s foster program.
