Get Involved

A dog sitting on the grass looking up at the camera.

We can't do it without you.

We are thrilled you want to volunteer with us. Our volunteers are the backbone of our rescue. We can't wait to introduce you to our organization and the team that makes it all happen. Please take a few minutes to read through the website. Learn our foster and adoption processes and read the stories of the animals whose lives have been changed through Adoption First Animal Rescue. When you're ready, please fill out our VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

There are various volunteer opportunities within our organization. When you sign up to become a volunteer you will join a special group of people who help make dogs and cats lives better. You can volunteer as little as once a month or as much as every day. The choice is yours!

Do not worry, we have a wonderful team who will guide you through the volunteer opportunities and will help you feel comfortable. You must be at least 16 to volunteer on your own and your parents must consent.

Volunteer Signup

Foster

Thank You for Considering the Lifesaving Act of Becoming a Foster

Fosters truly are the FRONT LINE for these animals & a critical step in saving more lives! A foster home is a temporary living situation for animals while they are awaiting placement in a permanent home. Foster families provide shelter, food, care, love, and guidance. The number of animals we can save depends entirely on the number of people who will open their homes and hearts to foster them. For some of these animals, this will be their first experience being treated as a family pet. You are their salvation and you should never underestimate the important role you are playing in their lives!

A cat sitting on top of a red blanket.
A dog laying on the ground with its head down.

Why Foster?

The only way that we can save animals is with the help of foster homes. Being a foster family has rewards beyond the essential value of helping a pet in need find a new home. For some, it is a chance to have an animal companion without making a lifetime commitment, or to try new companions for an existing pet. Foster Care is critical to our rescue efforts, the more homes we have, the more animals we can save. Becoming a foster family is a very rewarding experience, and can be a lot of fun. There are often tears shed when a foster finally finds a home of their own, but knowing you have saved a life and opened up space to save another is truly rewarding.

How Long Can I Expect to Foster a Pet?

Fosters will keep animals an average of 2-8 weeks. Some pets need more time because of age, illness, injury, or behavior issues. Your time commitment will be discussed up-front before you agree to foster the pet, but most foster families keep the animal until the animal gets adopted.

A dog laying on the floor in front of a door.
A dog sitting on the grass looking up at the camera.

What are the Responsibilities of a Foster Family?

  • Provide a safe, clean, and caring environment for the animal.
  • Provide food, water, exercise and socialization as appropriate.
  • Monitor any medical and/or behavioral problems and provide any medications as directed.
  • Assist with transport to/from adoption events.
  • Participate in helping AFAR find a family for the animal by contributing additional information including, but not limited to: pictures, videos, and personality information.
Foster Application

What Does Fostering Mean and How Will It Impact Me?

What exactly does fostering mean? It means bringing a homeless animal into your home, caring for them, providing them with affection and socialization, until a permanent family comes along who will love them forever.

Adoption First Animal Rescue will provide the supplies you need to foster! You do not have to provide your own supplies, although you are more than welcome to. The rescue pays for all veterinary care for the foster pet.

The benefits of fostering are numerous, and not only a wonderful thing for the animal and rescue, but can be beneficial to the one doing the fostering in so many ways!

  1. Fostering Saves Lives
  2. You have a hand in helping make the animal more "adoptable"
  3. You have the opportunity to change an animal's future
  4. Fostering can be great for your family
  5. You will become part of a wonderful "community"
  6. You will make someone's family complete

 

A black and white kitten sitting on top of a purple blanket.
A brown dog sitting on top of a bed.

So, Change a Life, Save a Life, & Become a Foster Today!

DEAR FOSTER MOM:

There I sat, alone and afraid,
You got a call and came right to my aid.
You bundled me up with blankets and love,
And, when I needed it most, you gave me a hug.

I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold,
That sometimes there is someone to have and to hold.
You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend,
You loved me and healed me and became my first friend.

And just when I thought you'd done all you do,
There came along not one new lesson, but two.

First you said, "Sweetheart, you're ready to go,
I've done all I can, and you've learned all I know."
Then you bundled me up with a blanket and kiss,
Along came a new family, they even have kids!

They took me to their home, forever to stay,
At first I thought you sent me away.
Then that second lesson became perfectly clear,
No matter how far, you will always be near.

And so, Foster Mom, you know I've moved on,
I have a new home, with toys and a lawn.
But I'll never forget what I learned that first day,
You never really give your fosters away.

You gave me these thoughts to remember you by,
We may never meet again, and now I know why.
You'll remember I lived with you for a time,
I may not be yours, but you'll always be mine.

Foster Application