Animal Care League
708-848-8155
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Become a Foster Family:
Help Build a Shelter Without Walls

Submit a Foster Application
Would you like to help save a life?
Animal Care League depends on our foster families to help save the lives of our shelter pets. By becoming a foster family, you can help us to expand our shelter walls. The more foster families we have, the more lives that are saved!

What kind of animals can I foster?
ACL cares for and houses cats, dogs, rabbits, and other small animals like guinea pigs, hamsters, and more—all of which are available to foster!

What does fostering involve?
Fostering is simple. It involves taking an animal into your home for a weekend, a few weeks, or until a forever home is found! By fostering, you can help ensure your temporary house guest will make a good forever pet in someone's home. Fosters are responsible for bringing their foster pet to ACL's facility for veterinary care and keeping us informed should any issues, either medically or behaviorally, arise.

Will I be responsible for any expenses?
Animal Care League will provide all supplies necessary for your foster including food, treats, toys, leash, collar, harness, crate, etc. Our veterinary team provides all of your foster pet's medical care free of charge. All you need is a little love and attention to spare!

How long will a shelter pet stay with me?
We have three options for fostering: weekend getaways, spay/neuter fosters, and general fosters.
  • Weekend Getaways: Help a shelter dog reduce their stress and help us learn what type of home would be perfect for one of our pups by having a weekend long sleepover. For weekend getaways, dogs are typically available to pick up on Friday and return Sunday, but we can adjust to whatever days work in your schedule. Weekend getaways are only available for foster dogs.
  • Spay/Neuter Fosters: Help us get to know a dog or cat while they wait to be spayed or neutered. Typically these animals are in foster for 2 - 3 weeks.
  • General Fosters: Set your own length of time that works in your schedule, whether you have a week, a month, or you're able to keep them until adoption! This helps us get to know our animals and find the perfect home for them. General fostering is available for cats, dogs, and small animals.

Is it hard to let fosters go?
It can be! You may find it hard to let your foster go, but you're not sending them off into the unknown. ACL screens all potential adopters and finds the best home for each animal based on their individual personality. Remember that each time you place a foster in their forever home, you free up your home to give another deserving animal a second chance at life. But, if you really fall in love, know you're always welcome to adopt your foster pet!

We can't wait to welcome you as an ACL foster!
Fill out the online foster application, and someone will be in touch with you soon! If you have any questions, please contact volunteer@animalcareleague.org.

Animal Care League, 1011 Garfield, Oak Park, IL  60304; 708-848-8155

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