Thank you for your interest in fostering with NLOL chicago!
We are a fully volunteer-run organization and are thrilled you want to learn more about fostering with us. Foster care is an integral part of our operations. We try to place all of our dogs into caring temporary homes as we search for the perfect forever home! Our foster care program allows us to learn more about our dogs and enables us to make better long-term matches. Fostering is also an ideal way for people to get their "dog fix" without making a lifetime commitment. Remember, the more foster homes we have, the more animals we can save together!
When you foster a dog or puppy for NLOL, you are opening your home and heart to a homeless animal in need. By agreeing to foster, you save the life of an animal that would otherwise have little hope of getting out of the shelter alive.
Watch this video to learn more about fostering with New Leash on Life - Chicago.
Fostering a NLOL dog entails caring for a homeless animal and providing him/her with food, water, appropriate exercise, and lots of love. NLOL provides all dog food, veterinary care, basic supplies (such as a collar, leash, and crate), and guidance while we actively seek a permanent and appropriate home for the dog. Your foster dog may initially be scared or confused, as they have all been abandoned or displaced. We ask that you treat the dogs as you would your own pet, understanding that you may need to have extra patience with them. For some of these dogs, your home may be the first place they have ever been treated kindly
If you have the love, dedication and time to take on the extremely rewarding challenge of becoming a foster parent, please fill out our online Foster Application or email chicago@nlol.org. A NLOL foster coordinator will contact you within 48 hours to go over your application and possibly determine which of our dogs would be the best match for you.
In order to become a NLOL foster parent, you must be 21 years of age or older, complete our screening process, and agree to a home visit. We also require that your foster dog be available for frequent veterinary, training, daycare and meet greets; NLOL will provide transportation in those events.
Apply to be a foster now!
Please note: We only place our animals in-state within 60 miles of Chicago. If you do not live within this radius, please do not fill out an application. We DO NOT allow our animals to be shipped.