How do I get a foster pet?

Fill out an application first and then come to the adoption center to be matched with a foster pet.

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What time should I come?

You can pick up a foster pet between between 1 PM to 7 PM on Monday to Friday and 10 AM to 5 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.​

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Do I need to buy food?

No. We provide food, a crate, toys, a collar/tag/leash, and treats.

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Can I bring my dog for a meet and greet to make sure the foster will be okay with him/her?

For any meet and greets, we do ask that you make an appointment since we will need extra staff on hand to facilitate the meet. Please call (314) 696-2444 or email info@icarestl.org to schedule a meet and greet.

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Do you have dogs that are cat-friendly?

We don't cat test dogs at the shelter since it is stressful for the cat and doesn't always provide an accurate assessment of a dog's ability to live with cats. For temporary fostering, we recommend that the foster dog and the cat be kept separate. For longer-term fostering, we provide resources to help manage slow introductions.

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Do I have to market my foster dog?

It's not required to market your foster pet, but it's encouraged! We have a marketing team that collects information and pictures for posting. We do ask that you try to get some good pictures for our team. The more you share your foster dog on your own social media, the better!

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Am I expected to help with the adoption process of my foster?

Ideally, you would be able to talk to a prospective adopter since you know how the dog does in a home. Our adoption team will support you throughout the process.

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Why is the foster period only 2-3 weeks?

We would love for you to keep your foster pet longer than 2-3 weeks! But even a short time away from the shelter is great! That period allows the animals to decompress outside the shelter while we learn more about what he/she is like in a home. Having them outside the shelter also helps free up space for new intakes and helps free up our caregivers to focus on those who have to stay in the shelter (abuse cases, bite cases).

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Should I take my foster pet to my vet?

No. We have a veterinary clinic on-site, and you can contact our clinic manager with any medical questions.

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What other support do you have for foster families?

We have a foster manager and a team of staff and volunteers who can help answer questions. We also have a Facebook group for fosters and volunteers.