Fosters Make It All Possible
At Adopt a Golden Atlanta, our foster families are the heart of everything we do. They play a vital role in helping Goldens on their journey to a forever home. As a foster, you’ll welcome a dog into your home, offering love, patience, and basic training. During that time, you’ll help us learn more about the dog’s personality, behavior, and health, which is all essential information in finding them their perfect match.
Please review our four basic criteria requirements in order to submit a Foster Application.
If you do not meet the criteria, there are so many other ways you can get involved! Learn more about volunteering with us here.
Foster Home Application Requirements
*Please read and only apply if you fit the criteria below.
Foster Home Application Requirements
*Please read and only apply if you fit the criteria below.
Criteria 1:
You have the time to spend with a foster dog. We ask that your schedule allow no more than 4 hours apart from the dog at any given time.
Criteria 2:
You live within one hour of the Metro Atlanta area. This keeps you close to all of our vet partners for appointments. And, you are able to attend our monthly Meet & Greet events.
Criteria 3:
You pass AGA's phone interview, home check, and a vet check (if you currently have a pet in your home).
Criteria 4:
You are at least 24 years old and not a full-time student.
Please apply only if you meet the four basic criteria for a Foster Application.
Types of Foster Homes
Types of Foster Homes
Short-Term Foster Homes
Can’t commit to a few weeks? Short-term fosters provide a temporary place to stay for a few days or a week when a regular foster is traveling or AGA needs a temporary placement. Even a short stay makes a BIG difference and helps us keep our Goldens safe and cared for!
Holidays are especially important for us. We can match you with the right dog for the period of time you want, just ask! All you have to do is provide love, exercise, and attention. We need foster homes with and without other pets.
Regular Foster Homes
OUR BIGGEST NEED!
We are always looking to add to our “foster families.” Our regular fosters open their hearts and homes for about 2–3 weeks (sometimes less or a little longer) while we work to find their perfect forever match! By providing a safe, loving place to land, you play a HUGE role in helping a Golden begin their next chapter.
We’ll match you with an orphan who fits your lifestyle! All you need to provide is a safe, loving home, along with plenty of love, exercise, and attention. Foster homes with and without other pets are needed!
Permanent Foster Homes
Think about becoming a foster for one of our special needs dogs who has been determined “unadoptable.” You provide a loving home for the dog for the rest of their life, and we pay all medical bills. You only have to provide food, toys, a bed, and, of course, the most important thing, LOVE. If you are interested in becoming a Permanent Foster, just fill out the foster application and check the appropriate box.
Foster FAQ's
Where do I have to live to be a foster?
We typically ask that foster homes be within an hour’s drive of the greater Atlanta area so you’re close to our vet partners, volunteer team, and monthly Meet & Greet events. Foster families help transport their orphan to veterinary appointments and attend Meet & Greets to give potential adopters a chance to meet them. While we’ve made occasional exceptions, staying within this radius helps ensure a smooth experience for you and your Golden as they make their journey to a forever home!
What do you look for in a foster home?
To best help our goldens, we look for foster homes that have time to spend with the orphan, whether they work from home, are retirees, or stay at home full-time. The max time away from home for your foster dog is 4 hours at a time. We also require foster families to have cared for dogs before, as many of our foster dogs need retraining, patience, structure, trips to the vet, grooming, and emotional TLC. Fosters are also required to be at least 24 years old and not a full-time student.
Can I foster if I live in an apartment?
If you live in an apartment, townhome, or condo, you can be considered to be a foster for AGA. What matters most is finding the right fit for each golden. Every orphan has unique needs, and we do our best to place them in an environment where they will thrive. We consider each situation carefully to ensure the best match for both the foster & the orphan.
What are my financial requirements as a foster?
AGA covers all medical expenses for the dog while in your care. As a foster, you're responsible for providing quality dog food and having essentials like a collar and leash on hand. We do our best to make fostering as smooth and supported as possible. Your love and time mean the world to our goldens!
Can I foster if I have other pets?
Yes, you can absolutely foster if you have other pets! Each AGA orphan is unique, and we carefully consider their comfort and experience with other animals before placing them in a foster home. If we know a dog does well with other dogs, cats, or specific environments, we will do our best to match them accordingly. Your current pets and the orphan's safety are always our top priority.
Why are fosters with no other pets important?
All orphans rescued from shelters require a 7-day quarantine period to ensure they do not pick up any illnesses, such as kennel cough or pneumonia, which are contagious to other animals. This measure is to ensure the health of our orphans, as well as any other pets in the home.
Why do we ask that foster parents are not away from a foster dog for more than four hours?
We ask this because consistency, companionship, and reassurance are especially important during this transition. Goldens are social dogs who thrive on being around their people, and many of our orphans are learning for the first time what it feels like to live in a safe, loving home. Some may be adjusting to unfamiliar surroundings, new routines, and experiences they have never had before.
Keeping alone time limited helps prevent them from becoming overwhelmed, gives them more opportunities to feel secure, and allows foster families to recognize their needs and help them build confidence.
These early experiences lay the foundation for trust, emotional well-being, and a successful transition into their forever homes.
If I want to adopt, should I apply to foster instead?
If your goal is to adopt, we kindly ask that you apply through our adoption process, not as a foster.
Fosters must care for a minimum of three orphans before becoming eligible to adopt. We understand this may feel strict, but it is important to ensure fairness for the many pre-approved adopters who are patiently waiting to be matched with an orphan.
If there is even a small chance you may want to adopt in the future, we highly recommend submitting an adoption application right away, even if you start by fostering. This way, if you fall in love (and it happens often), and have met the requirements to become eligible to adopt, you will be better prepared and will not miss your chance.