Foster with us

Be the Bridge to a Senior Dog’s New Life

Senior dogs often struggle in shelter environments. Many shut down completely and may never have the chance to show who they truly are. Foster homes change that.

When you foster with Miri’s Haven Senior Dog Rescue, you provide a safe place for a senior dog to decompress, receive medical care, feel loved, and begin their next chapter. Our fosters are truly the bridge between a dog’s past and their forever home.

Opening your home to a senior dog saves lives.

Become a Foster

WHAT our fosters do

Fosters provide a safe, loving temporary home for one of our senior dogs while we work to find the right forever family.

Every dog is different, but foster responsibilities generally include:

Providing love, patience, and daily care
Helping your foster dog settle into home life
Sharing photos, videos, and updates with our team
Helping us learn the dog’s personality, preferences, and needs
Bringing the dog to approved vet appointments when needed
Using positive reinforcement to encourage good habits

Most of our foster dogs are simply looking for:

A calm place to decompress
Consistent meals and medication
Gentle walks and companionship
Soft beds and sunny spots
Someone patient enough to help them feel safe

When an adoption application comes in, we'll involve you in reviewing the match and connecting with potential adopters.

You Don’t Need to Have It All Figured Out

Many of our fosters are first-time fosters. You do not need veterinary experience, a huge house, or a perfect schedule to make a life-changing difference for a senior dog.

We’ll help guide you toward dogs that fit your lifestyle, comfort level, and household — and our team is here to support you throughout the process.

You’ll also become part of an incredibly welcoming and supportive community through our private Facebook group, where volunteers cheer each other on, celebrate milestones, swap stories and photos, share advice, and fully understand the joy of living with elderly gremlins.

Become a Foster

Foster Commitment

Every dog’s timeline is different. Some are adopted quickly, while others need additional time to decompress, receive medical care, or find the right match. Most foster dogs spend weeks or months with their foster family while we search for their right forever home.

How Fosters Choose a Dog

Our fosters choose which dogs they would like to take in.

Dogs looking for foster homes are posted in our volunteer Facebook group, along with all the information we currently know about them. Some dogs — especially owner surrenders — come with detailed histories. Others, particularly shelter dogs, may have many unknowns at first.

When you see a dog you're interested in, just comment on the dog's post or message our team. We'll talk through whether the dog seems like a good fit for your home and lifestyle, and if it feels like the right match we'll move forward with placement logistics.

For first-time fosters, we generally recommend starting with a dog who is considered an “easier” placement — typically one without significant medical or behavioral challenges.

A Commitment That Matters

When a foster commits to a dog, we move forward assuming that dog has a safe place to go. In many situations, there is not another backup foster immediately available.

We understand emergencies happen, and our team will always help problem-solve if a placement becomes unsafe or unmanageable. We simply ask fosters to think carefully about whether a placement feels like a realistic fit before committing to a dog. Because of this, we do not arrange meet-and-greets with foster dogs before placement.

Become a Foster

What Miri’s Haven Provides

You are never in this alone.

Our team supports fosters every step of the way. Thanks to generous donations, we are often able to provide almost anything your foster dog needs.

Miri’s Haven covers:

Veterinary visits

Emergency medical care

Surgeries

Vaccinations

Prescription medications

Medical supplies

Monthly flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives

We coordinate directly with the veterinarian and remain the primary point of contact for treatment approvals and medical planning.
We typically provide:

Food

Leash

Harness

Collar and ID tag

Dog bed

Medications

Pee pads, diapers, belly bands, and other specialty supplies as needed
We also provide:

Guidance from experienced volunteers and rescue leadership

Help with behavioral or adjustment concerns

Transportation assistance when available

Professional grooming

Marketing support to help your foster find the right adopter

Assistance coordinating temporary vacation or emergency coverage from another volunteer

Become a Foster

"When Miri’s Haven began, it stood for everything I believed in — loving and advocating for senior dogs through every stage of their lives, right until the very end."

"We foster to give senior dogs love, joy, and peace in their final chapter — looking past age, disabilities, and medical issues to see the beautiful soul underneath."

"There is nothing more magical than watching an old, broken soul heal and learn to trust again."

"At this stage in life, no dog should be homeless. Fostering gives senior dogs the comfort, love, and security they deserve."

"I foster with Miri’s because every dog is treated with dignity, compassion, and exceptional care. Giving a senior dog a safe home and a second chance has enriched my life just as much as theirs."

"Nothing compares to seeing a senior dog transform from sick and unwanted to happy and cherished. Watching them heal, trust again, and finally find a family that adores them is pure magic."

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I get to choose my foster dog?

Yes! Our fosters choose which dogs they would like to foster based on the information shared in our foster group.

What if I’ve never fostered before?

That’s completely okay. Many of our fosters are first-timers. We’ll guide you through the process and are always available for support and questions.

What expenses am I responsible for?

Miri’s Haven covers all approved medical care, medications, preventatives, grooming, and provides most supplies. Some fosters choose to purchase additional treats, toys, or extras, but it is not required.

What if my foster dog has behavioral challenges?

We expect bumps in the road sometimes, especially as dogs decompress. We ask fosters to reach out early so we can help problem-solve and support you.

Can I foster if I already have pets?

Yes! Many of our fosters have resident dogs or cats. You’ll simply want to choose a foster dog who is known or believed to do well with other animals in the home, and we’ll help talk through which dogs may be the best fit for your household.

Can I foster if I work a 9–5 job outside the home?

Yes! Many of our fosters work full-time outside the home. We’ll help you choose a dog whose needs and energy level are a good fit for your schedule and lifestyle. Some dogs are perfectly content relaxing and snoozing while their foster is at work, while others may need a home with a more flexible schedule. We’ll always try to set both you and the dog up for success.

How long will I have the dog?

Every dog is different. Some are adopted quickly, while others may need longer-term foster care. We ask fosters to anticipate at least a 6-week commitment.

What if I need to travel, go on vacation, or have an emergency?

Our fosters regularly travel and take vacations. We can help coordinate temporary coverage for your foster dog with another volunteer while you travel or if an unexpected emergency comes up. The more advance notice you can provide, the easier it is for us to arrange a great temporary fit for your dog.

What if the placement truly isn’t working?

We understand that emergencies and unforeseen situations happen. If a placement becomes unsafe or genuinely unmanageable, our team will work with you to problem-solve and determine next steps.

Ready to Get Started?

Interested in fostering with Miri’s Haven Senior Dog Rescue? The first step is completing our Foster Profile so we can learn more about your home, lifestyle, and what types of dogs may be the best fit for you. Once approved, you’ll gain access to our foster community and can begin volunteering for dogs in need.

Become a Foster