Become a Foster. Be the bridge to their forever.

Every action you take is the difference.

Foster Me

Fostering does more than save one Great Dane, it helps combat overpopulation, eases the burden on high-kill shelters, and breaks the cycle of neglect and abuse.

By opening your home, you become the bridge between a rescue dog and their forever family, giving them the chance to experience love, safety, and care for the very first time.

We urgently need foster homes across the United States.

Be the helping hand that changes a life. Apply to become a foster today and make a lasting impact.

WHY FOSTER?

Foster Application

YOU CAN’T BUY LOVE, BUT YOU CAN RESCUE IT. FOSTERING IS THE FIRST STEP.

  • LONG TERM FOSTER

    Our highest-need foster program, long-term fostering provides rescue dogs with a safe, stable home for at least one month, and often until they find their forever families. There is no fixed end date - each dog stays until the right adopter comes along.

    Long-term fostering is deeply rewarding and plays a vital role in a dog’s path to a successful, permanent home. Your commitment gives them the stability and love they need to truly thrive.

  • HOSPICE FOSTER

    Hospice fostering is a special commitment focused on dogs with limited life expectancies. These dogs may never be adopted, but they deserve comfort, stability, and love for the time they have left.

    Hospice fosters provide a peaceful, nurturing home—often replacing a lonely shelter environment with a quiet space where a dog can feel safe, cherished, and cared for until the end of their life. The goal is not adoption, but dignity, compassion, and quality of life.

  • TEMPORARY FOSTER

    Temporary fostering provides short-term care for rescue dogs who need a safe place to stay while waiting for their next step. These foster placements typically last from one day to a few weeks and are used when a long-term foster or adopter is already lined up, but immediate care is needed in between.

    Temporary fosters offer stability during transitions and help ensure dogs remain safe, comfortable, and cared for while plans are finalized.

  • EMERGENCY FOSTER

    Emergency and overnight fostering is urgent and fast-paced, often occurring with little notice. These placements happen when we need to pull a dog from a shelter or unsafe situation immediately.

    Emergency fosters provide a safe place for a dog to land, sometimes for just a night or two, until transport or a longer-term foster can take over. Even a single night in an emergency foster home can save a life.

FOSTER FAQ

  • Where aren’t we located?
    We operate nationwide, helping Great Danes from coast to coast across the United States. While we are proudly based in Texas, our network of fosters, volunteers, and partners allows us to assist Danes wherever they need us most.

    Due to state laws and regulations we do not operate on a foster basis in Massachusetts, or Colorado.

  • We welcome fosters of all experience levels. What matters most is a willingness to learn and an open heart.

    Our foster families receive the training, resources, and ongoing support they need to succeed, including guidance from our dedicated Foster Team who is with you every step of the way.

  • Team Rocky covers all veterinary and medical expenses for our foster dogs. Our foster families provide food, toys, daily care, and lots of love.

  • For the safety of our foster dogs, dog parks are not permitted. While a foster dog may behave well in your home, dog parks are unpredictable environments. We do not know the full background of every dog, and unfamiliar dogs, fights, or unsecured fencing can put everyone at risk. If a foster is taken to a dog park against policy, the foster is responsible for any resulting costs or incidents.

    Foster dogs must never be walked off-leash unless they are in a secure, private, fully fenced area.

    These guidelines are in place to minimize unnecessary risks and ensure the safety and well-being of our dogs.

  • Each dog is evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine whether they may be a good fit for a home with children. Because we often have limited background information when dogs first enter our care, we rely on observations from our team and details provided by our partner shelters and rescues to guide placement decisions.

    Ultimately, you know your child best. Choosing to foster should take into account your child’s temperament, energy level, and understanding of how to respectfully interact with dogs. Regardless of age or experience, slow, calm introductionsare essential to help ensure a safe and positive experience for both the child and the dog.

  • The length of a foster placement can vary, but most dogs are in foster care for about 2–3 months. Here’s what you can generally expect:

    First 3 Weeks – Decompression:
    When a foster dog first arrives, they need time to settle in and adjust to their new home. During this period, we focus on helping them feel safe, comfortable, and secure.

    Post-Decompression:
    After the initial three weeks, we’ll ask for a pup-date, including photos, notes on personality, and any behavioral observations. This is also when we make sure any necessary veterinary care is complete, which may take additional time depending on your schedule and the number of dogs arriving.

    Adoption Interest Check-In:
    We’ll check if you or someone in your personal circle is interested in adopting the dog.

    Adoption Listing:
    If there’s no interest from your circle, we review our waitlist for potential adopters. If no match is found, we’ll work with you to create a bio and officially list the dog for adoption.

    Timeline to Adoption:
    The time from listing to adoption varies depending on when the right applicant comes along. Several things can help speed up the process:

    • Sharing high-quality photos and videos

    • Consistent training and progress with any behavioral issues (we provide resources and guidance!)

    • Promoting your foster through friends, family, and social media

    • Being flexible for meetups, training, photography, or potential adopter visits

    Once someone applies, the adoption process usually takes about 1 week, including the interview, reference checks, meet-and-greet, and finalizing the contract and adoption fee. After that, your foster begins their trial adoption with their new forever family.

  • Having access to a vehicle is helpful, but not required. If you do not have a car, we ask that you first see if a friend or family member can assist with transporting your foster dog to vet appointments or the airport when needed.

    If that isn’t possible, please don’t worry, we’re happy to help coordinate transportation to ensure your foster receives the care they need.

  • Team Rocky will schedule all veterinary appointments for your foster dog through our approved clinics. Please do not take your foster to your personal veterinarian or to any clinic without prior approval, as we are unable to reimburse unauthorized expenses.

    Our rescue also has a dedicated Vetting Team available to support you with any medical concerns or questions. You will receive their contact information during your foster onboarding process so you always know who to reach out to for guidance.

  • Your foster dog must remain in your care at all times and may not be sold, rehomed, gifted, or transferred to any third party.

    If you anticipate being away for any reason, whether for work, travel, or personal commitments - you must notify Team Rocky in advance and receive approval for any alternate care arrangements. Please note that Save Rocky does not cover the cost of boarding or pet-sitting.

    All alternate caregivers must be pre-approved by Save Rocky. Approved sitters may include trusted friends or family members, but they must be cleared with our team beforehand to ensure the safety and well-being of the dog. Providing advance notice allows us to help coordinate appropriate care and avoid unnecessary stress for your foster dog.

  • We understand that sometimes a foster placement may not be the right fit for you or the dog, and that’s okay.

    If you encounter challenges or need guidance, please reach out to your Foster Team. We’ll work with you to find the best solution. In some cases, we may ask that you continue fostering until another suitable home is arranged.

    Whenever possible, we try to minimize moving dogs between foster homes, as transitions can be stressful - especially while a dog is still adjusting to a new environment.

    For urgent concerns or emergencies, you will have direct contact information for our team, which will be provided during your onboarding process.

  • Sometimes a foster dog becomes the perfect addition to your family, and we love when that happens!

    Foster families have the first opportunity to adopt during the first three weeks after the dog arrives. During this time, the dog will not be listed for adoption to the public.

    All foster-to-adopt applications go through our standard adoption process, which includes a phone interview with one of our Adoption Counselors and payment of the regular adoption fee (please note: there are no discounts for foster adoptions).

    After the initial three-week window, friends or family may still apply before the dog is made available to the general public.

    For safety and health reasons, all pets currently in your home must be fully up to date on vaccinations, and documentation will be required.

    Some call it a “foster failure” - we like to call it a retroactive adoption just for fun!

  • As a foster with Save Rocky, you provide a safe, loving, temporary home for our dogs until they are adopted. Your role is critical to their well-being and long-term success, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

    Basic Care & Support

    • Provide a safe, secure, and loving environment, foster dogs are inside dogs and must never be left outside unattended.

    • Supply proper nutrition, clean water, daily care, attention, and interaction.

    • Team Rocky covers all medical expenses; you provide food, toys, enrichment, and love.

    • Absolutely no abuse or neglect will be tolerated.

    Training & Adjustment

    • Assist with basic training, including housebreaking, crate training, and teaching basic commands.

    • Allow at least three weeks for decompression before introducing new dogs; foster dogs may be fearful or display unusual behaviors during this period.

    • Introductions to other dogs should be slow and gradual, starting with parallel walks, neutral ground introductions, and supervised indoor meetings without food or toys present.

    • Use barriers or baby gates as needed to manage interactions safely.

    Appointments & Communication

    • Bring your foster to scheduled vet appointments or help coordinate transport if you’re unable to attend.

    • Provide regular updates, photos, and feedback to help Team Rocky maintain accurate bios and share the dog’s progress with potential adopters.

    • Participate in meet-and-greets or adoption events when requested.

    Safety & Boundaries

    • Never take your foster to dog parks. Unpredictable situations can be dangerous, and you may be responsible for any incidents.

    • Never walk your foster off-leash unless in a secure, fenced area.

    • Shock or pinch collars are not allowed.

    • Your foster must remain in your care at all times; they may not be sold, rehomed, gifted, or given to anyone else.

    • If you plan to travel or be away, notify Team Rocky and receive approval for any alternate care arrangements. (Please note: Save Rocky does not cover boarding or pet-sitting expenses.)

    Social Media & Advocacy

    • Share your foster’s journey responsibly on social media, tagging @SaveRockyRescue and using #SaveRockyRescue, to help raise awareness and find them a forever home.

    Fostering with Save Rocky is a rewarding experience. By providing stability, love, and care, you give our dogs the best chance to thrive and find their forever families.