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Our Foster Program Open Your Heart and Home to Help Save Lives

We Need You!

Become a Foster

Considering fostering? Foster homes are EXTREMELY VALUABLE to our rescue operation. Homeward Trails is a humane organization that puts animals first. If we learn of an animal in need, we will respond if we are able to help. Our Adoption Center can house at most 60 dogs and 10 cats at one time, limiting the number of animals we can rescue by the number of foster homes in our program. The more foster homes we have, the more animals we can rescue.

KF Foster Pups

Why foster?

By providing a temporary home, you are giving that animal another chance at life that they otherwise would not have had. We’ll be there every step of the way, providing you with training and support to have a successful fostering experience. It’s fun to have a furry friend around the home! But remember, being a foster isn’t always easy—dogs may need to be housebroken or have separation anxiety issues, cats may have trust issues or need socialization. Depending on the animal and time of the year, it could take anywhere from a couple of days to many months to find a new home for your foster animal.

We always have a great need for specialty fosters who will take in pregnant and nursing dogs and cats with their babies, litters of puppies and kittens, shy and fearful dogs, dogs who need behavior support, or animals who cannot be placed in a home with other animals.

Are we a fit?

To determine if you are right for HT and if HT is right for you, take a moment to read our Foster FAQs. If you are ready to jump on board and join the HT Foster Team, please fill out the appropriate questionnaire to foster a dog or foster a cat.

A Foster Coordinator will follow up with you to provide more info about the program and answer your questions. Before starting, you will sign our Foster Agreement to clarify what you can expect from us and what we expect from you. We look forward to having you join the HT family!

Georgette KF Foster Kitten

The Details

Foster Process

More News from the Trail!

  • Come See Us at the Washington Auto Show

    We are thrilled to be joining our friends at Subaru of America, Inc. at the The Washington Auto Show again this year from January 19-28. We had a blast showing off our dogs and puppies the last two year! We love the opportunity to introduce Homeward Trails to lots of new people and see so many old friends and adopters. Come out and meet and adopt some great dogs at the Subaru booth. We are also still in need of volunteers are needed for many shift to help handle dogs and transport dogs to and from the Adoption Center and foster homes. The convention center is metro and bus accessible if you are not transporting dogs. You can enjoy the auto show for free before or after your shift. Volunteers must be 18 years and older. Sign up and come join us! https://www.signupgenius.com/…/20F084EA8AE2DA5F49…

  • Helping Happy Hounds – Fee Waived Hound Adoptions

    As you may or may not know, Virginia animal shelters are filled with Hounds. These amazing dogs are most often discarded by callous hunters, found starving wandering the countryside. Many never make it as hunters and are then tied up to chains or left along the side of the road like old furniture. A good number of them do not make it out of shelters alive.But these dogs – like all dogs – are amazing and worthy of families. We just cannot get them families fast enough to stop them from dying in our shelters when there is no more space.And so we are trying something new here. ALL HOUND DOGS ADOPTED FROM HOMEWARD TRAILS WILL BE FREE. Yes, we are WAIVING ADOPTION FEES for Hounds for the foreseeable future.We hope that will entice well-matched applicants to consider a Hound now. Use the money you save on training, treats, toys.We think all dogs are worthy. But the reality is that some take extra incentives. Some have more barriers to getting adopted. And the result is well, more end up dying. And no – this does NOT mean we are just giving dogs away. All applicants will still go through our application/screening process to ensure good homes. This is just us trying to save more dogs by eliminating one more barrier to adoption. And hey, Hound lovers can use all the extra money they can get to buy treats, right?Help us help these Hounds. Our program Helping Happy Hounds is live NOW. Let’s save some lives!

  • Our Current Supply Needs – Can You Help?

    Each year Homeward Trail spends thousands and thousands of dollars on supplies to care for our animals and support the general operations of our organization. We always strive to keep our costs as low as possible so that we can spend every extra dollar saving more lives.  One simple way you can help is by donating these supplies – everything from postage stamps, to cleaning supplies, to ink cartridges and paper, to dog and cat food and litter. Our wish lists are updated regularly so you can always find our most current needs. Please consider donating supplies to help us cover the cost of these items. The more we are able to get donated, the more animals we can help. Thank you! Adoption Center Wishlist Meow Palace Wishlist Dog Enrichment Wishlist Trails Home Farm Wishlist Farmhouse Wishlist Trails UP Wishlist  Puerto Rico Wishlist

More News from the Trail!

  • Come See Us at the Washington Auto Show

    We are thrilled to be joining our friends at Subaru of America, Inc. at the The Washington Auto Show again this year from January 19-28. We had a blast showing off our dogs and puppies the last two year! We love the opportunity to introduce Homeward Trails to lots of new people and see so many old friends and adopters. Come out and meet and adopt some great dogs at the Subaru booth. We are also still in need of volunteers are needed for many shift to help handle dogs and transport dogs to and from the Adoption Center and foster homes. The convention center is metro and bus accessible if you are not transporting dogs. You can enjoy the auto show for free before or after your shift. Volunteers must be 18 years and older. Sign up and come join us! https://www.signupgenius.com/…/20F084EA8AE2DA5F49…