Foster Program

Dog Coalition Los Angeles (DCLA) has a unique program fostering dogs (~35lbs and over) directly from the shelter. Our team carefully selects shelter dogs based on their personalities, energy, and needs. Then, we match them with fosters based on lifestyle compatibility, household members, and previous experience.

Fosters in our program receive comprehensive support, including basic training, weekly calls, and access to a community of fellow fosters and socialization activities like pack walks and playgroups. DCLA also actively promotes dog adoption online and at in-person meet-and-greet events.

Apply now

How it works

Fill out the Foster Form. Our team will review the application and reach out to start a conversation about pairing the foster with a dog in our program.

Attend a personalized setup video call with a member of our team. We provide everything fosters need to know the first week and beyond! If you’d like a sneak peak at some of our foster resources, check out our training essentials guide.

Schedule a time to meet and pick up the new foster dog! We’ll meet at the shelter to introduce the new foster to their dog and provide some basic supplies.

Supplies

We provide a crate, collar, and leash. We ask that at pick up, the foster provides an ID collar with their contact info ready and has some old towels or blankets, bowls, and poop bags ready at home.

At this time, we do not provide food. For those unable to provide food, the shelter’s Pet Food Pantry can help.

Support

Leash walking

On Sunday mornings we meet in Highland Park to practice our leash skills and we often end with a playgroup. This is excellent socialization both on and off leash for the dogs and also helps the humans get to know each other and swap tips while sharpening their handling skills.

Weekly foster call

Once a week, our team joins a video call with all our fosters to check in on their progress and address any questions or concerns. It’s especially important that new fosters attend these calls as the first few weeks are the most challenging. Once on their feet, fosters can check on a less frequent basis.

Adoption guidance and promotion

Each dog in our program is posted online. We ask that fosters share pictures and videos to help with promotion and also encourage fosters to share on social media. When someone applies to adopt one of the dogs in our program, our team reviews the application and will guide and support fosters in choosing the right adopter.

Testimonials

"The DCLA team is amazing - full of committed and passionate volunteers. Pairing with my first foster dog through the program was seamless and spot on. I am so impressed by how the team thoroughly vets the prospective foster (and resident dog). My dog and foster dog got on so well as a result. The weekly check-ins and walking class was very informative and helped me become a better foster mom (and, honestly, dog mom!). I felt very well supported during the entire foster period."

Marie
"It was really nice to be matched with a dog who was a good fit. The team listened to my preferences and gave me a few options. I met them, chose the one I was drawn to and that was that. The weekly calls were nice so that I wasn't on my own. I have fostered directly through the shelter in the past and that is where you are truly on your own. DCLA helps guide you, creates a community and momentum for the dogs in foster to be seen. I'm really happy this exists now for potential shelter fosters. It was the missing link. :)”

Aurora (Foster fail, btw. That's how good a match it was.)
“I am so fortunate that I found this foster program. I was eager to help foster a dog but at the same time hesitant since I have 2 small kids. The team took their time and guided me towards a dog that was a great fit for my whole family. The leash walking class was very helpful for me as well as my foster dog. I've had dogs in the past but the training I received was invaluable. Timmy was a great dog guest that just needed some care and help to decompress so he could shine like the amazing dog he is. Fostering is an amazing experience, it's not easy but so rewarding!”

Monica
“We adopted our best friend Goliath from North Central Animal Shelter a little over a year ago. It wasn’t always easy! But fostering and then adopting Goli is easily the most rewarding thing either of us have ever done. Goliath has taught us so much; how to be patient, how to be consistent and that old dogs can absolutely learn new tricks. He makes everyday better whether you’re going for a long hike or cuddling up to watch a movie on the couch. We can’t imagine our life without him!”

Nikole
“We couldn’t be more thankful to the DCLA volunteers that saw the gentle side of that barking, withdrawn, stressed shepherd in a North Central kennel and matched her with our family...Fostering may not be for everyone but the team at DCLA makes it a rewarding and supportive experience. The amount we learned about dog behavior and being supportive for their best outcome, and not putting our needs first is an education our whole family will keep with us, always.”

Sandy
"I have been fostering dogs for 8 years now, and have worked with 7 or so rescue organizations during this time (and still do). I can say with certainty that my experience with DCLA was the most supportive, informative and enjoyable foster experience that truly set up my foster dog up for success...Having a manual to read before starting, having weekly zoom calls to check in and ask questions, and having weekly walk classes to work on leash skills and ultimately our handler skills helped me build my confidence to support my foster dog in the way he needed."

Ranko
"The DCLA program inspires a shift in perspective of how community can show up and gives an active step for people to take towards change by becoming a foster. Due to their guidance and thoughtful process of knowing the dogs and the foster applicant’s needs DCLA’s success rate is impressive. They are irreplaceable!”

Shelter volunteer
"I've fostered for several rescue organizations, and I believe DCLA has set up a thoughtful and comprehensive process that not only gets dogs out of the shelter and matched with well-qualified fosters/adopters but also sets those fosters/adopters/dogs up for long-term success....this is no easy feat but DCLA has successfully paired hundreds of dogs with fosters/adopters through their dedication and devotion. The humans have a positive, rewarding and educational experience integrating their new shelter animal into their lives with a community of dog lovers supporting them along the way."

Priscilla
“We’ve been fostering with Dog Coalition LA (DCLA) since September 2022. During that time they’ve supported us in fostering nine dogs from LAAS shelters. We joined the DCLA program after fostering through the annual LAAS 4th July initiative, but felt we need more support as we had limited dog handling knowledge. Over the last two years, DCLA have provided us with the most incredible support, training and knowledge. We have learned how to crate train, house train and loose leash train our fosters. We’ve also had more challenging dogs that had some leash reactivity and DCLA guided us step-by-step to help those dogs and get them successfully set up to be adopted."

Jay