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What does it mean to become a foster?
Fostering a dog means opening your heart and home to a dog in need, temporarily caring for them until they find their forever family. As a foster, you provide love, stability, and basic training, helping the dog adjust to life in a home environment. This crucial step not only eases the transition for the dog but also increases their chances of being adopted. Fostering saves lives, and every foster home creates space for another dog to be rescued. It’s also an incredibly rewarding experience for people, offering the joy and companionship of a dog without the long-term or financial commitment. Many fosters find that the bond they form with their temporary companion brings purpose, comfort, and a deep sense of fulfillment.
As a foster-based rescue, our ability to rescue and rehome dogs is limited by the number of active fosters we have. We are ALWAYS in need of more fosters.
We handle the food and supplies while our fosters provide the safety, care, and love a dog needs while waiting for their forever family.
Of course, we know there are lots of questions when it comes to fostering. Take a look at our process below! If you still have questions take a look at our Foster FAQs that follow.
Once you’ve been paired with a dog, we’ll contact you to arrange a pick-up or drop-off time that works for everyone. When your foster dog arrives, you’ll also receive a starter kit with essentials like food, a collar, a crate, toys, and anything else they may need. From there, your fostering journey begins! You’ll be their safe space as they adjust, grow, and get ready to find their forever home, with support from our team every step of the way.
If you’re ready to take the next step, please complete our Foster Application Form. Once submitted, one of our dedicated volunteers will review it and reach out to you. This is a chance for us to learn more about you, answer any questions, and talk through the responsibilities and rewards of fostering. We want to make sure you feel confident and supported every step of the way!
Once you’re approved as a foster, we’ll reach out when a dog in need is scheduled to arrive. We’ll check in to see if you’re available and if the dog is a good fit for your home and lifestyle. There’s no pressure to say yes every time, we understand life gets busy! When the timing and match feel right, we’ll coordinate the next steps to welcome your foster dog.
Before jumping into fostering, it’s important to think about your daily routine and living situation. We receive dogs of all shapes, sizes, breeds, ages, and personalities, so being open and honest about what you’re comfortable with helps us make the best match. Ask yourself if you can provide the time, patience, exercise, and socialization a dog might need to thrive. Fostering isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being willing to help a dog build positive experiences and prepare for their forever home.
Step 1 - Consider your Lifestyle
Step 2 - Foster Application
Step 3 - Confirming your Availability
Step 4 - Begin Fostering
Foster Process
Join Our Foster Family & Be the Bridge to a Dog’s New Beginning
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Im interested in adopting, how do I apply?The first step is to fill out an application, which can be found on our website, the link in our Instagram bio, or in the post about the dog. The application helps us with matching our dogs with the best possible forever home. We will then contact you to further discuss if your application is selected for screening, we will answer your questions along the way.
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I submitted my application, when will I hear back from you?Our turnaround time for processing each adoption is around one week and often sooner. Please watch our Facebook/Instagram page for updates. When applications close, or a dog is adopted, we will make an announcement there!
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Im interested in ____ but I don't fit one of the criterion listed in the dog bio, should I till apply?Based on what we know of the dog’s history, as well as what our fosters have observed, this is what we believe the dog needs in order to really shine! You are welcome to apply anyway, but our process is to find the best match for each dog.
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Where are you located?We are a foster-based rescue, meaning that our dogs are placed with fosters who generally live within one hour of the Greater Toronto Area. Upon the successful screening of an application, an applicant is invited to meet the dog of interest at the foster’s residence. While we welcome applicants from anywhere in Ontario, you must be prepared to travel, at your expense, to where the foster is located to meet and adopt the dog.
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What is the average time to adopt?Your application to be reviewed WITHIN ONE WEEK of receipt. Once the interview process begins, you may end up with a new family member in as little as 10 days! If you are not ready to welcome a pet right away, please wait to apply closer to that date. Sometimes the adoption is delayed if the dog is still waiting for vetting results. Your assigned adoption coordinator will keep you updated.
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I had my heart set on a dog and they are no longer available?!Please still apply if you are open to be matched to similar dogs. Our adoption coordinators are experienced with assessing your lifestyle and experience level and can help match you with a dog who would be best suited to your household! We have hundreds of dogs coming through our rescue each year and each and every one of them is deserving of a forever home!
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Is vetting included in the adoption fee?All incoming dogs receive a physical exam, a 4DX test (to test for Heartworm and tick borne diseases), deworming, and flea/tick preventatives during the warm months, and heartworm preventatives for the duration they are in our care. Spay/neuter surgeries are also covered. Some of our dogs need life-saving procedures such as surgeries, Heartworm treatment, or emergency procedure that far exceed the amount of the adoption fee. We rely on donations and sponsorship to help cover those costs.
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I have cats, can I still adopt?This is on a case-by-case basis – the short answer is yes, but it depends on what we know about the incoming dogs. If they have been previously fostered with cats safely, then we have a better prediction of how the dog may act with your cat.
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Do I need a back yard in order to adopt?Absolutely not, but if you have one it’s great. The dogs need to go for walks and get out into the world to bond with their foster home and grow their confidence!
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I live in a small home / condo / apartment, can I still adopt?Absolutely. So long as you are able to provide the time and exercise required for your dog.
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I have kids, can I adopt?Yes, you can. We will match dogs that our rescue partners indicate are appropriate to place in families with children. We do our best to assess a dog going into a foster home with children. Most dogs do very well with children as long as there is a general understanding and respect for the dog’s space. It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure that children are aware of how to interact with the dog and must always be supervised when doing so.
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I have two dogs of my own already, can I adopt?The short answer is yes, lots of dogs do very well with other dogs in the household. With that being said, It depends on the other variables of your situation… how much time do you have for the dog individually, how much structure and leadership do you have in your home, how big is your house and property, how well mannered are your other dogs in the household, etc. Send in an application and when we get to know you more, we will better understand if you can provide a safe and beneficial environment for the dog.
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I live outside of Toronto and GTA, can I still adopt?Absolutely! You will be responsible for transportation to and from the meet and greet and we will organize pick up and drop off after the adoption is confirmed.
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Ive already filled out an application for another dog, do I need to submit a new one for a different dog if all my information is the same?Please send an email to info@hopeshaven.ca to advise of the additional dogs of interest. You do not need to complete an application unless we do not find yours on file.
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What is your adoption fee?Hopes Haven is a not-for-profit that is run exclusively by volunteers. Depending on the country of origin, age and expenses incurred, our adoption fees can vary. $900 is the adoption fee for most dogs in our care, and we will advise if a higher fee applies. Fees are subject to change based on fluctuating costs such as oil prices, international freight costs, age of dog, veterinary expenses, etc. We’d be happy to tell you the fees for the dog of interest.
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How do you determine what the adoption fee is?There are many costs associated with preparing a dog for adoption. This includes, but is not limited to: vet visits, vaccines, spay/neutering, food, supplies, flights (some of which are via cargo), and other transportation, administrative costs, supplies, etc. We are a non-profit and 100% volunteer run. We keep our fees as low as possible, with any additional funds being used to rescue or treat the dogs that need us most.
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How can I make my application stand out?It’s not so much about standing out as it is about being honest. Each dog is unique, and we are looking for the best match for that dog. At the end of the form there is a section where you can tell us more about why you think you’d be a great fit, so you can let your personality and context shine there!
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Can I adopt if I rent my home?Yes, renting is not an automatic disqualifier. What matters most is stability, landlord approval (if required), and your ability to meet the dog’s physical and emotional needs.
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Why do some dogs have restrictions (e.g., no kids, no other pets)?These are based on the dog’s observed behavior and history. Some dogs have experienced trauma or lack proper socialization. We want to set both the dog and adopter up for success, so we follow what our fosters and trainers report. These aren’t judgments — just guidance for a happy match.
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Do I need a back yard in order to foster?Absolutely not, but if you have one it’s great. The dogs need to go for walks and get out into the world to bond with their foster home and grow their confidence!
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I live in a small home / condo / apartment, can I still foster?Absolutely. So long as you are able to provide the time and exercise required for your foster dog.
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Are medical expenses covered?All necessary medical expenses are covered by the rescue. All dogs receive deworming and flea/tick meds when they arrive in rescue. Heartworm preventative is given during warm months.
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I have kids, can I foster?Yes, you can. We will match dogs that our rescue partners indicate are appropriate to place in families with children. We do our best to assess a dog going into a foster home with children. Most dogs do very well with children as long as there is a general understanding and respect for the dog’s space. It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure that children are aware of how to interact with the foster dog and must always be supervised when doing so.
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I have two - three dogs of my own, can I foster?Yes! Mind you, we will pair you with a dog who is well suited to your household of numerous dogs and It depends on the other variables of your situation. ie... How much time do you have for the dog, how much structure and leadership do you have in your home, how big is your house and property, how well mannered are your other dogs in the household, etc. Send in an application and when we get to know you, we will better understand if you can provide a safe and beneficial environment for the dog.
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What if I get too attached?We’ll be honest – fostering is a rewarding experience and you will get attached. Many people choose not to foster because they feel it’ll hurt their feelings to adopt the dog out. As a result, rescues are not able to help as many dogs and those dogs perish in shelters. You’re saving a life. Fostering a dog is a selfless act, and sure, it’s not for everyone, but to that one dog you foster, it means the world! However if you do decide that your foster pup is your forever family, we call its foster fail, we do give fosters first dibs for adoption if Hopes Haven decides that you are the right fit for the dog forever.
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What is the average time for fostering?With some special exceptions, we found that our dogs stay in foster care for an average of 6-8 weeks. This may vary depending on the time of year (I.e. December is very slow for adoptions)
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I have cats, can I foster?This is on a case-by-case basis – the short answer is yes, but it depends on what we know about the incoming dogs. If they have been previously fostered with cats safely, then we have a better prediction of how the dog may act with your cat. We loving giving our dogs experience with cats in foster care if the situation allows for such as it opens doors to more homes for the dogs.
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I can only foster on weekends and Hollidays, can I still help?YES! We are always in need of ‘temp fosters’ to help cover short term care. Sometimes the regular foster has a pre-booked trip and need help with caring for their foster dog, and this is when you would come in! Please apply using the same application form and we can discuss this in your interview. Note that you can switch from being a temp foster to being a full-time foster or vice-versa anytime if your situation changes.
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How do I become a foster?The first step is to fill out a foster application, which can be found on our website and through the button above. Once we receive your application, one of our volunteers will be in contact to set up a virtual meeting to learn more about you and to determine if you meet our criteria for fostering. We will also provide information about what fostering entails.
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What does it cost to foster a dog?There is no financial cost to foster a dog. All supplies and vetting expenses are covered by Hopes Haven.
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I live outside of Toronto and GTA, can I still foster?Absolutely! Please note that our veterinarian partners are mostly located in Toronto and around the GTA. As a foster you will be required to transport and accompany your foster dog to veterinary appointments as required. We ask that fosters have access to a vehicle (or have family members who can assist with transportation when needed.)
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Can I foster a dog if I travel often?Yes, you can. If you are well aware of your travel plans in advance, Hope's Haven will try its best to place a suitable dog between trips. Many of our rescue partners give us a clear sense of the dog’s needs ahead of time, but there are those who occasionally arrive without any vetting, so until a vet visit is arranged, we won’t know exactly what will be needed. But occasionally a dog will need to be moved, but being a foster is a volunteer role, for which we are grateful, so we will do our best to accommodate.
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If I want to travel, can I bring my foster dog with me or have a friend take care of them?We will ask you in advance of accepting a foster dog if you plan on travelling over the coming weeks. If you have a planned vacation then we would prefer to work with you after your vacation to avoid having to move your foster dog. Moving can be very stressful on the dog and we want to always avoid stressing them. The dogs are our responsibility and we must know where they are and under whose care they are in at all times.
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Can I take my foster dog to the dog park?We do NOT allow our foster dogs in dog parks. Dog parks, although they look like fun, can be very stressful and not all dogs get along. Incidents at dog parks happen all the time as unwanted behaviours can escalate quickly. We do not know the full background of our dogs and we want them to always feel safe.
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What if my foster dog is not working out for me?We do our best to match the foster dog with the appropriate family environment in order to set everyone up for success. If you are having issues, please reach out to your Coordinator right away so that we can assist you and your foster dog. It’s very stressful to move dogs from foster homes but if it’s absolutely necessary we ask that you continue to provide care for your foster dog until a new foster home is available. Please note that this can sometimes take a couple of days.
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What else is covered by the rescue?Some fosters opt to provide their own crate, food, bed and other items, while others request assistance. It’s dependent on the home but please ask your foster coordinator and explain what you would need in advance. We want the dogs to have everything they need in order to find happiness and success so all supplies like beds, toys, treats, leashes, and food is covered.
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How do you determine what the adoption fee is?There are many costs associated with preparing a dog for adoption. This includes, but is not limited to: vet visits, vaccines, spay/neutering, food, supplies, flights (some of which are via cargo), and other transportation, administrative costs, supplies, etc. We are a non-profit and 100% volunteer run. We keep our fees as low as possible, with any additional funds being used to rescue or treat the dogs that need us most.
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What is Hope’s Haven Dog Rescue Foundation?Hope’s Haven is an international, foster-based dog rescue committed to saving dogs from high-risk environments and giving them a second chance through fostering, rehabilitation, and adoption. Our dogs are placed in foster homes where they can decompress, receive medical care, and with training and love, learn to trust again.
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Where do your dogs come from?Our rescue partners span several countries including the Caribbean, the U.S., and Canada. Many of our dogs were at risk of euthanasia or suffering from neglect, abandonment, or overcrowded shelter conditions.
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How is your organization funded?We are a not-for-profit, 100% volunteer-run organization. Our work is made possible through adoption fees, fundraising efforts, sponsorships, and generous donations from the public.
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Can I donate supplies instead of money?Yes! We welcome donations of items like food, beds, crates, leashes, toys, and medical supplies. Reach out to us or check our “Wish List” on the website or social media to see what we currently need most.
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I found a stray dog — can you take them in?We work primarily with established rescue partners and do not function as an emergency intake shelter. If you find a stray, contact your local animal control or humane society first. If they are unable to help and you’re willing to foster, reach out to us with details and we’ll see if we can assist.
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Do you accept surrendered dogs from the public?In limited cases. Our focus is on high-risk dogs from shelters and crisis areas. If you’re seeking to re-home your dog, we may be able to assist by networking the dog or guiding you through ethical rehoming steps.
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How can I help if I can’t adopt or foster?There are many ways to help! You can: Volunteer your time (transportation, admin, social media, fundraising) Become a flight partner to bring dogs to Canada Sponsor a dog in need Make a one-time or recurring donation Share our posts and help spread awareness
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What is a “flight partner”?Flight partners are traveler's flying from locations where we rescue dogs (like the Caribbean) who accompany a dog to Canada. We handle all logistics and costs. It’s one of the easiest and most powerful ways to help save a life.
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Can I volunteer even if I don’t live in Toronto?Yes! We have virtual roles, and depending on your location, you might be able to help with transportation, home checks, or fundraising in your community.
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Are you a registered charity?We are a registered non-profit and are currently in the process of obtaining full charitable status. Once complete, we will be able to issue tax receipts for donations.
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How can I stay updated on available dogs and events?Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, or sign up for our newsletter on the website to receive updates about new arrivals, adoption events, fundraising drives, and volunteer opportunities.
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Why do some of your dogs come from outside Canada?While we do help dogs locally, many regions in the world face severe overpopulation and lack basic veterinary care or humane shelter systems. A small act here can mean life or death for a dog abroad. That said, we are proud to help dogs wherever the need is greatest.
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Are your dogs vaccinated and healthy when they arrive?Yes. All dogs receive necessary vaccines, vetting, parasite control, and health screenings before arriving in Canada. Some may arrive needing additional care, which we continue to provide through our veterinary partners.
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What happens if a dog I adopt doesn’t work out?We’re here to support you throughout your adoption journey. If challenges arise, we offer guidance, training resources, and will always take the dog back if needed. Our goal is a forever match, not a rushed placement.
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Do you offer support after adoption?Absolutely. Our team is always available to provide post-adoption support, tips on transitioning, training advice, and a community of fellow adopters and fosters. You’re never alone on this journey.
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Do you rescue other animals besides dogs?Currently, our focus is on dogs, but we hope to expand our mission in the future. We believe all animals deserve compassion, and we’re laying the groundwork for broader rescue and sanctuary initiatives.
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