Foster Fail: Why Foster Failures Are Actually a Good Thing

The word “failure” is generally a negative one, but when it comes to foster failures in the world of pet adoption, the term takes on an unexpectedly positive meaning. Temporarily opening your home to a pet through fostering is a great experience, often tugging at the heartstrings in ways you never imagined.  Enter the phenomenon known as a “foster fail.” Find out what foster failure means and what to do when the line between temporary caregiver and forever family blurs.

What is fostering and why is it so important?

Put simply, fostering is when you temporarily take care of an animal in need. Fostering is a commitment to feeding, training, and caring for a pet so they can be successful while they await adoption to a permanent home. The importance of fostering extends beyond addressing the immediate needs of these animals — it serves as a bridge between rescue and permanent adoption. And by offering them a refuge from the challenges of overcrowded and understaffed shelters, you also provide much-needed relief to these organizations and their staff who work tirelessly to accommodate the growing number of animals seeking care. But it can be tough to hold back from forming a bond with them sometimes.

What is a foster fail?

A foster fail is when someone initially takes in a pet for temporary fostering but decides to keep them permanently after they’ve cared for them. A foster fail can occur when the bond between a foster parent and an animal is so profound, that parting ways feels impossible. What starts as a well-intentioned act of fostering turns a once temporary stay into a forever home. We spoke with Krista Almqvist, executive director of Badass Animal Rescue in Brooklyn, where her team refers to them as “foster adoptions.” 

“Foster adoptions are a part of rescue and can help to get some of the long-term dogs adopted into a great home,” Almqvist says. “By allowing fosters to adopt their long-term dogs (dogs they have been caring for for over two months), you are keeping a dog in the environment they already know and are thriving in.”

Is it bad to be a foster failure?

Being a foster failure is far from a “bad” thing — it’s actually a celebration of giving a pet a second chance. When you become a foster parent, your primary goal is to provide a temporary haven, and if that evolves into a permanent, loving home, it’s a triumph for both you and the animal you’ve welcomed into your life. Being a foster failure is very common, in fact. One rescue in Los Angeles shared that 90 percent of their foster families become a foster fail. 

“While not all fosters are looking to adopt, when they are ready to make that commitment, we love it when they stay in our Badass community,” Almqvist says. “They don’t happen with every foster, and we take each one on a case-by-case basis, but we have a number of foster adoptions each year.”

While being a foster failure is certainly a cause for celebration, it may mean that there are less foster parents available to take in pets. People may believe that if they already have an existing pet, they can’t (or shouldn’t) foster. Fostering, however, is an indispensable and invaluable service. Foster parents play a pivotal role in alleviating the strain on shelters and offering animals the attention and care they deserve. Ultimately, finding pets safe homes is the goal, so fostering in any capacity is a commendable and much-needed contribution to the well-being of animals.

How to avoid becoming a foster failure

While foster failures shouldn’t be seen as a bad thing, not everyone can commit to a permanent pet. If you’re looking to stay in the fostering lane without adopting, here are some tips to help you resist those irresistible puppy-dog eyes and navigate the bittersweet art of saying goodbye:

• Set clear boundaries: Define your fostering commitment from the beginning, and remind yourself of the temporary nature of the arrangement.

• Stay connected with the rescue: Regularly communicate with the rescue organization to understand the progress and success stories of the pets you’ve fostered.

• Foster in pairs: Consider fostering in pairs. This way, your pet has a companion, reducing the temptation to keep them permanently.

• Celebrate achievements: Celebrate each successful adoption as a personal victory, reinforcing the positive impact you’ve had on the lives of the animals you’ve fostered.

• Lean on support networks: Connect with fellow fosters and share experiences. Having a supportive community can help navigate the emotional journey of fostering.

Consider fostering another pet after a foster fail.

Shelters and rescues greatly depend on having an abundance of foster homes to provide care and a stepping stone to adoption. Even if you already have “failed” fostering once, there are some great reasons to consider becoming a foster parent again:

• Companionship for your pet: Fostering can provide your existing pet with a temporary playmate and companion, enriching their lives with social interactions and shared adventures.

• Teaching moments: Fostering offers valuable teaching opportunities for your pet, helping them develop social skills and adaptability by interacting with new animals.

• Contribution to animal welfare: By fostering, you actively contribute to the well-being of animals in need, providing them with love, care, and a chance at a better life.

• Flexible commitment: Fostering allows for a flexible commitment. You can choose the duration and type of pet to foster, tailoring the experience to suit your lifestyle and preferences.

• Fulfilling a temporary need: Fostering is a temporary commitment, allowing you to make a significant impact without the long-term responsibilities of permanent adoption.

• Saving lives: Fostering directly saves lives by opening up space in shelters, enabling them to rescue more animals from challenging situations.

• Personal growth: Fostering promotes personal growth by cultivating empathy, patience, and a deep sense of satisfaction derived from making a positive impact on the lives of animals.

“As a pet parent, you get to see how your dog does sharing space, provide them with companionship, and you might just find out how much your dog loves having a buddy,” Almqvist says. “It can be a great way to find a good second dog companion as well. Bonus that many dog walkers will walk your foster dog for free if you are an existing client.”

When you become a foster, you not only enhance the lives of animals in need, but also help reduce overcrowding in shelters and rescues. Even if your fostering experience becomes a “fail,” know that your contribution is immeasurable. The impact of fostering extends beyond your home, creating a ripple effect that touches the lives of countless animals and the communities striving to care for them.

Commonly asked questions

How is foster failure different than foster to adopt?

A foster failure is when the foster parent intends to take care of the pet temporarily and ends up keeping them permanently. Foster to adopt, on the other hand, is where the foster parent takes a pet in with the intention of adopting them afterward. Rescues often employ foster-to-adopt programs to ensure that the potential pet parent and animal are a good match.