Independent Alameda News. Support us!

Fostering: Great for You, Fantastic for Dogs!

Want to kick off the year in a healthy way? Fostering one of our dogs might be just what you need for physical and emotional well-being! A new scientific review of dozens of studies shows that people who are fostering report that they’re both happier and more active.

Alameda Post - a collage of adoptable dogs
Get to know the good boys and girls on the FAAS website. Photos FAAS.

Fostering is also really good for dogs! That same review finds that dogs who experience even short foster stays have lower cortisol levels and higher rates of adoption, along with a slew of other benefits.

A break from the shelter gives dogs a chance to breathe, to let down their guard, to be the dogs they are at their core—not necessarily the dogs they are in a stressful environment. (As much love and attention as we give our animals, there’s no place like home.) Foster homes often let staff know about how well a dog is doing in a home setting, so we’re better able to represent to adopters who the dog really is. That info is golden!



If you’re ready to consider fostering, we’ve got some great dogs for you! First are a bunch of very friendly, easygoing dogs who would love to be in a home while they await adoption. (Fostering can be short-term or long-term.) Among them: Alice, Aruba, Bingus, Cusco, Dulce, Fancy, Penelope, and West. Check out these cuties and beauties on our canine adoption page.

Alameda Post - Poke the Anatolian shepherd mix mix
Poke the gentle giant tripod. Photo FAAS.

In addition, we have a big 85-pound tripod who is super sad in the shelter—kind of shut down—and needs to get out ASAP. His name is Poke, and he’s sweet, shy, and seems to get on with other dogs. We think he will thrive in foster care. He’s a really good boy. He’s also our current Pet of the Week on the Alameda Post.

And then there are dogs who desperately need to get out, but they’re a little more challenging. Derby is going stir crazy in his kennel. He runs round and round in circles, and it’s tough to watch. He needs a home that’s experienced with big, active dogs. Derby needs a lot of exercise. He’s on some meds, so you’d have to be OK giving him his medication as well. He’s our priority for fostering among the less-easy dogs.

Alameda Post - Derby the adoptable or foster-able dog
Meet Derby! Photo FAAS.

Whether you choose a walk-in-the-park dog or a Derby, we want you to know that FAAS makes fostering easy! We supply all food, leashes, bowls, etc., and take care of any medical expenses while they’re in foster.

If you’d like to find out more about dogs who might fit into your life, please come to our main shelter at 1590 Fortmann Way between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, and we’ll talk about what could work for you. You can fill out a foster questionnaire online if you want, but we are generally able to respond much more quickly when you visit in person.

We’re trying to build our foster community for the future as well, so if you can’t foster now but would like to consider it for a later time, please fill out the foster questionnaire and we’ll be one step ahead when you’re ready.

On behalf of all our dogs who would love to spend their time awaiting adoption in a home, not a kennel, thank you!

John L. Lipp
CEO, Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS)


Editorials and Letters to the Editor

All opinions expressed on this page are the author's alone and do not reflect those of the Alameda Post, nor does our organization endorse any views the author may present. Our objective as an independent news source is to fully reflect our community's varied opinions without giving preference to a particular viewpoint.

If you disagree with an opinion that we have published, please submit a rebuttal or differing opinion in a letter to the Editor for publication. Review our policies page for more information.


KQED Curated Content
Thanks for reading the

Nonprofit news isn’t free.

Will you take a moment to support Alameda’s only local news source?