Dog Fostering Policies

We’re looking for caring individuals and families willing to open their homes to rescued dogs, give them love and stability, and help find them the permanent, loving homes they deserve.

What to Expect

What Last Hope provides:

• Volunteer training and ongoing support
• Food and supplies, including kennels, treats, leashes, and collars
• All veterinary care costs for your foster dog
• A caring, experienced network of fellow volunteers

What you provide:

• A clean, loving home environment
• Daily feeding, care, and socialization
• Attendance at Saturday adoption events (11am–3pm plus setup and teardown) on 2–3 weekends per month
• Screening of potential adoptive families per Last Hope guidelines
• Transportation to and from vet appointments as needed

Foster Requirements

Your household:

• All adults in the household must be on board and actively supportive of fostering.
• All resident pets must be current on Rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella vaccinations, be heartworm-negative, and be spayed or neutered.
• You must carry homeowners or renters insurance, including medical coverage for all household members.
• Renters must provide written permission from their landlord to foster animals.

Foster limits:

• Fosters may care for 1–2 dogs beyond their city’s pet limit, or a full litter of up to 12 puppies with a mother. Exemptions apply for rural homes without city restrictions or those with kennel licenses.
• All dogs and puppies attending adoption events must have completed their required veterinary examination beforehand.

Transportation:

• You must have reliable transportation to vet clinics and adoption events throughout the metro area, including Inver Grove Heights, Burnsville, Lakeville, Apple Valley, and Farmington.

Legal:

• All foster families are required to sign a hold harmless agreement, releasing Last Hope and its affiliates from liability.

Last Hope reserves the right to decline any foster application after review, without stating a reason.