Fostering

For every foster that opens their heart and home to a pet, that is another pet saved from suffering. A foster parent takes in the pet as their own: they love the pet, help the pet adapt to a new home and take care of all their daily needs.

Lakeshore PAWS will provide all necessary foster supplies (e.g. food, beds, crate, etc.) also, all medical expenses will be covered by Lakeshore PAWS. As a foster parent, you will also talk to potential adopters, informing them of details you acquire during fostering, such as the personality or temperament of the pet. In this way, the individual(s) interested in adopting the pet can better decide if the pet is right for their family.

We often have different needs for our fosters, such as a foster to care for a long timer dog that isn't doing well in the shelter. We typically will allow dogs who have been in the kennels at our shelter for more than 2-3 weeks to go into foster.

Please feel free to read through our Foster FAQ.

Read Before Applying

By applying to serve as a foster care guardian for Lakeshore PAWS, I understand and agree to the following:

  • ​I will be responsible for the welfare and humane care of the companion animal(s) placed in my home.
  • The companion animal(s) is the property of Lakeshore PAWS and therefore, any sale, trading or re-homing of the animals(s) is strictly prohibited.
  • I will notify Lakeshore PAWS as soon as possible if the foster animal becomes ill, lost, bites me or anyone else or threatens the well-being of any person or animal.
  • If the animal becomes sick while in my care, I will contact Lakeshore PAWS firs to send a vet authorization form and tell me which approved vet to take the sick animal to.
  • If I decided to take a sick dog or pup from Lakeshore PAWS to foster or one that I am fostering becomes sick, I realize that I need to keep it separate from any animals that I have and if the dog or pup is not kept separate and gets my own pets sick, I realize that it is my responsibility to pay for any vet bills associated with my pets.
  • I will not bring a sick dog or puppy from Lakeshore PAWS to any dog park, kennels or anywhere else there are other dogs that can get sick as well. If my own dogs are exposed to the sick pup, then I will not bring my dogs to the dog park or anywhere else it can make others sick until all animals are cleared of sickness.
  • I will provide the Lakeshore PAWS office with updates on the foster animal(s) health and well-being upon request.
  • I will make the foster animal available for off-site adoption events as needed.
  • I will return the foster animal when requested.
  • If I can no longer care for the companion animal(s), I will immediately contact Lakeshore PAWS and make arrangements to return the animal to Lakeshore PAWS.
  • I will comply with all city and county code provisions governing companion animals.
  • I understand that the foster animal(s) in my guardianship may or may not be placed in adoptive homes.
  • I further understand that serving as a foster care guardian carries with it certain risks of physical injuries, including, but not limited to: bites, scratches and other injuries.
  • If approved to serve as a foster care guardian, I will assume the risk for any and all injuries that may arise while caring for Lakeshore PAWS' foster animal(s) and will release, hold harmless, and indemnify Lakeshore PAWS and the employees, offices, agents and assigns of these entities from any claim of claims which may arise out of any incident connected with or in any way related to the undersigned's participation as a foster care guardian. This includes claims for personal injury, property damage, and/or any other type of harm to injury to the foster guard guardian, members of the guardian's family, including guests and invitees.

By applying below, you are confirming that you have read the above terms.

Foster and Adoption Application

Before filling out this short survey, note the following:
  • Filling this application does not guarantee you a dog from our adoption center
  • Make sure you are allowed to have a dog of the breed and size where you currently reside - check with your HOA, landlord or homeowner's insurance before adopting.
  • Be able to take the dog home on the day of the adoption
  • Bring along all family members (including children) to meet your new dog
  • If you have a current resident dog, we'd like them to meet our dog before adoption; we may need to schedule an appointment
  • Be able to spend the time and resources necessary to provide the training, medical treatment and proper care for your pet.
Thank you for considering to save a life and adopting from Lakeshore PAWS. Please be patient with us as we are 99% volunteer run; our goal is to find loving homes for the homeless pets in our program.
Are You Filling this Application out at Lakeshore PAWS or at Home?(Required)

Are You Interested in Fostering or Adopting?(Required)
Have you ever adopted from Lakeshore PAWS before?(Required)
Which age ranges were you most interested in?
Select as many age ranges you would consider.
What sizes would you consider?
Select which weights you would be open to.
Your Birth Date(Required)
Your Name(Required)
Street Address(Required)

Household Information

Do You Live In A(Required)

Do You Rent or Own?(Required)
Are there ANY restrictions from your Landlord, HOA, City Ordinance, or Subdivision? (Please check all that apply):
Do You Have a Yard?(Required)
Are You Going Out of Town on Vacation in the Near Future?(Required)
Please specify or state NO here
Please enter a number from 1 to 10.
18+
This field is hidden when viewing the form
First and Last Name

Section Break

This field is hidden when viewing the form
Please enter a number from 0 to 10.
List ages, comma separated, oldest to youngest
Have Your Children Been Around Animals Before?(Required)

Current Pet Information

We require all dogs living in the home to be up-to-date on vaccines, be on heartworm preventative, and spay/neutered. Please list the information for all current PETS that live in the household:
Do you currently have any other pets in your home?
Please provide your current veterinarian's information or the vet you are planning on taking your new pet to:

New Pet Information

What Qualities are You Looking for in a Dog?(Required)
Do You Plan on Crate Training Your Adopted Pet?(Required)
Have You Ever House-Broken a Dog or Puppy Before?(Required)
List corrective action(s)
Where will your pet sleep at night?(Required)
Are you willing to work through your new pet's issues, if any?(Required)
What length of time will you allow your new pet to adjust to his/her new home?(Required)

Do you plan on taking an obedience class with your new dog?(Required)
List circumstance(s)
Should an unexpected circumstance arise where you become unable to care for your pet whether it be illness or your passing, have you made any arrangements for their care?(Required)
List applicable breeds, if any
Have you ever had a pet that contracted parvo in your home?(Required)
Have you returned a pet to a shelter or had to euthanize a pet? IF so, explain(Required)
I understand that adopting a pet is a lifetime committment, and that I will be responsible for the care and welfare of the pet from the date of adoption. I understand that it will cost at least $1000+ per year to care for my new companion and am prepared to take on that financial committment for the rest of the dog's natural life.(Required)
Waiver of Liability: By submitting this form, you and your party are agreeing to release and hold harmless Lakeshore PAWS for any claims which may arise as a result of interacting with the animals, including injury to person and/or property.(Required)
NOTICE: After submission, the page will refresh. Please scroll back down the page to ensure your application has been completed successfully. If you do not get a confirmation message and still see the application, your application was NOT submitted and you need to double-check every question was filled in correctly. Thank you!