Fostering saves lives.
By opening your home temporarily, you help animals recover, decompress, and prepare for adoption. Foster homes are essential to Boreal Animal Rescue’s frontline work in northern and remote communities.
Whether it’s for a few days or a few months, fostering creates space for the next animal in need—and gives vulnerable animals the care and stability they deserve. Even a short-term foster can change a life.
The Path to Fostering
Step 1: Learn About Fostering
Take time to learn what fostering involves and decide what type of foster placement feels right for you and your household.
Step 2: Complete a Foster Application
Submit our online foster application so we can learn more about you, your home, and your availability.
Step 3: Connect With Our Team
A member of our team will be in touch to discuss potential foster matches and answer any questions.
Step 4: Welcome a Foster Animal Home
Once matched, you’ll welcome a foster animal into your home with ongoing support from our team.
Common Foster Questions
Fostering can be challenging, rewarding, emotional, and incredibly meaningful. Many of our fosters tell us they never realized how much of a difference they could make—until they did.
What does it mean to foster with Boreal Animal Rescue?
Fostering means temporarily welcoming an animal into your home while they wait for adoption or recover from medical care. Foster homes provide safety, stability, and socialization in a home environment.
How long does fostering last?
Foster timelines vary depending on the animal’s needs. Some fosters last a few days or weeks, while others may be longer for medical recovery, behavioural support, or young puppies. We work with fosters to find placements that fit their availability.
What does Boreal Animal Rescue provide?
Boreal Animal Rescue provides:
Veterinary care and medical treatment
Vaccinations and spay/neuter services (when appropriate)
Guidance, coordination, and ongoing support
We aim to ensure fosters are supported throughout the process.
What does the foster provide?
Fosters provide:
A safe, caring home environment
Daily care including feeding, exercise, and supervision
Transportation to veterinary appointments when possible
Regular communication with our team about the animal’s progress
Expectations are discussed clearly before placement.
Do I need prior experience to foster?
No prior fostering experience is required. Many of our fosters are first-time caregivers. Our team is available to offer guidance, answer questions, and support you along the way.
Can I foster if I have pets or children?
In many cases, yes. Each foster placement is considered individually to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved. We’ll work with you to determine the best match based on your household.
Is fostering expensive?
Boreal Animal Rescue covers veterinary care and medical costs. Fosters are typically responsible for daily care items such as food, unless otherwise arranged. We strive to be transparent about expectations before placement.
What if the foster animal isn’t a good fit?
Your safety and the animal’s wellbeing are our priority. If challenges arise, please contact us immediately. We will work with you to address concerns or arrange an alternative placement if needed.
Can I adopt my foster animal?
In many cases, yes. Foster-to-adopt situations can be discussed with our team once the animal is ready for adoption.
Who Can Foster?
You don’t need prior experience, a large home, or a perfect schedule to foster. Many of our fosters are first-time caregivers, renters, families, or people with existing pets.
We work with you to find a foster situation that fits your life.
Types of Foster Opportunities
We offer a variety of foster placements depending on need and availability:
Short-Term / Emergency Foster – temporary placement during intake or transport
Medical Recovery Foster – quiet homes for healing after veterinary care
Puppy Foster – helping young pups grow, socialize, and prepare for adoption
Behavioural Support Foster – patient homes helping animals decompress and build confidence
You can let us know what you’re comfortable with—or simply say you’re open to learning.
Join Our Foster Network
Even a short-term foster can change a life. Our team will support you every step of the way.
Apply to Foster
What Our Foster Parents Say
Here are some heartfelt words from our amazing foster families.
Join Our Fostering Family
Your support can make a real difference. Together, we can provide loving homes for animals in need. Get involved today, and help us change lives!