With our foster onboarding process, we strive to ensure that fosters are equipped to provide the standard of care we expect for our rescue dogs, and that fosters receive the support they need from our rescue program coordinators! We welcome you to foster with us if you live in the Northeastern U.S., including NY, NJ, PA, CT, RI, MA, VT, and NH.

Please note:

1. Our Foster Application and Adoption Application is one and the same. HOWEVER, each track has its own unique onboarding processes. Please be sure to read the foster onboarding process below if you are applying to foster.

2. Being approved to Foster does not mean you are also approved to Adopt. There will be a few additional (but simple) steps to complete before an approved Foster is approved to Adopt.

3. Fosters do not have the first right of refusal to adopt the dog they are fostering. Rain or Shine Rescue reserves the right to grant adoption of a dog in rescue to an adopter of our choice.

4. If you are interested in our foster-to-adopt track, please make sure you note this down in your application. At our discretion, we may offer foster-to-adopt as an option for pets with less adoption interest.

Foster onboarding process:

1. It takes our team 7-10 business days to process a foster application.

   a. Review application and follow up where necessary

   b. Check personal references

   c. Schedule and conduct virtual interview

2. Although we’re committed to working with fosters to match them with a suitable dog based on their lifestyle and experience, fosters must agree not to discriminate against any dog based on breed, size or age.

3. If the foster’s lease or building code lists any dog breed or size restrictions, we are more than happy to work within those constraints.

4. We conduct a virtual interview with every applicant to get to know them better so that we can make the best possible foster dog match. It is also their chance to ask us any questions they may have.

5. We depend on the applicant and their references to respond in a timely manner in order to move their application along.

What we need from you:

1. Must be 23 years or older to apply to foster.

2. Complete Rain or Shine Rescue’s foster application.

3. Attend a virtual interview with our foster coordinator.

4. Sign the Foster Contract, which will be emailed to you after you’ve completed all other steps.

5. Be willing and able to bring your foster dog to in-person adoption events and adoption meetings.

What we provide fosters:

1. Rain or Shine Rescue covers all costs for vet visits, procedures and medications that are pre-approved in writing by our Vet Team coordinator.

2. We cover all costs for professional dog training that are pre-approved in writing by our Foster Team coordinator.

3. We promote your foster dog for adoption on our social media pages and at in-person adoption events.

4. If we receive donated dog crates, dog food, toys etc., they will be accessible to fosters. Please note - we depend on fosters to pick up these items and return them (except perishables and broken items) when they are no longer fostering.

5. For our full-time fosters, we provide short-term foster coverage upon request (a 2-week minimum notice is required).

If you have more questions about fostering with us, please email hello@rainorshinerescue.com and our team would be happy to assist you. Thanks!