When you think about fostering, don’t ask yourself why, ask why not. When you see dogs and cats, are you inclined to greet them? Of course you are! Animals can bring a certain peace, wipe away the daily stress. Fostering allows you to enjoy these benefits and snuggle with an animal in need. Fostering is the most rewarding “hobby”. All of the work, time and attention you give to a foster helps them bloom into the perfect addition for a family actively searching. Nothing better than seeing joy in others and knowing you helped bring that smile to their face … and the tail wags and kisses …. You did that! You gave your foster confidence and socialization to welcome others into their space and into their hearts. You healed them, you trained them, you loved them. ❤️

Fostering with Paws Across Pittsburgh gives you the incredible opportunity to witness the transformation of a rescued dog from their initial intake day to the moment they find their forever home. Being part of this journey—from seeing a neglected or maltreated dog become healthy and happy—is immensely rewarding. The time and effort you invest in a rescued animal are returned tenfold by their love and gratitude. If you’ve ever considered fostering a dog or cat, Paws Across Pittsburgh is the perfect place to start. They provide comprehensive training, supplies, and mentors to guide you through the process and answer any questions you might have. One of the best parts about fostering with PAWS is that you get to help choose the perfect home for your foster pet. And if you’re like me, you might even find yourself adopting a foster—or two! Fostering not only saves a dog or cat's life but also brings immense happiness to the new adopter’s life. It’s a beautiful cycle of rescue, rehabilitation, and joy that touches everyone involved. Fostering changes the lives of the animals and brings joy and fulfillment to your own life. Join us and make a difference, one paw at a time.

Fostering has changed my life and helped me realize my future passion. High school was a rough time for me and fostering dogs helped me get through it. Fostering has helped my family get closer. It has been a truly rewarding experience and seeing the dogs so happy and healthy after all they have been through makes everything worth it. Paws Across Pittsburgh makes it so easy and the process ensures the best interest of the animals while also keeping it simple for fosters. Just because you work, or have kids does not mean you can’t foster. Don’t say that you don’t have time-as a full time college student with several part time jobs I am still able to foster, volunteer, and create/post content for our Instagram page. After fostering 35 dogs in the last few years, I will admit that some times were harder than others. I am mature enough to realize that without the help of Paws, some dogs would have never had the chance at a loving home. One of our fosters was pulled from a local shelter and was later diagnosed with incurable cancer. Had we not rescued her, she would’ve died alone and in pain, but we were able to give her a happy, loving home for the last 3 months of her life. Because we foster, we gave her a chance. Because we foster, we gave 34 other dogs a forever home with families that love them. Because we foster, we are rewarded with puppy cuddles and tiny kisses! I have some of my best memories because of fostering and I have found something I truly love doing. If you have kids, they will thank you for giving them an opportunity to save and change lives. It will teach them the hard lesson of misfortune and neglect, but it will also teach them to be a good person and to always help those in need. We need more good people in this world, now more than ever. So do it, take the initiative and be a part of the change!

Fostering is such a rewarding experience! I mean, what is more fun and cute than being surrounded by kittens, or helping a mama cat find her forever home and never having to live outside and have more litters again? Our animal friends teach us so much and we owe it to them to be their voice and advocates. Their lives may not have started out so great but fostering gives them a second chance for the life they deserve. Oh, and did I mention extreme cuteness, and guaranteed laughter and smiles everyday?

So my friends and family always told me I would never be able to foster because I want to keep them all. I feel like that's most people's reasoning for not wanting to try it. But I tell everyone now, once you get the perfect adopters, you're so excited for them that it makes you really happy. You can't keep them all anyways, because if you did then at some point, you couldn't help anymore. And once you start fostering, you realize how important it is and how much you are helping these kittens, cats, puppies, dogs, mamas and babies, you want to keep doing it. But you know if you keep wanting to keep them all then you can't continue helping, which is so important right now with how high the stray cat and shelter dog population is. Please just try it you'll be saving a life or eventually a hundred or more.

Every day we receive countless requests for help with local, outdoor/stray cats and kittens. You may have even come across stray cats in your neighborhood. Everyone wants someone to help, but the reality is there are way too many kitties living outside and not enough foster homes to help with even a fraction of the requests for help that we get. All you need for fostering kitties is a room or area where you can keep the kitties quarantined from resident kitties until they receive their vaccines/vetting. Paws provides all of the supplies and pays for all vet appointments. We have many experienced fosters who have fostered hundreds of cats and kittens. When you take your first few foster kitties, we will pair you up with a seasoned foster parent so that any questions or concerns about your foster kitties can be answered. We’ve helped almost 2,000 kitties in 8 years and would love to see that number continue to grow!

Paws Across Pittsburgh is by far the MOST supportive rescue that I have ever fostered with. I am able to foster cats and kittens knowing that any question or concern I may have will be answered quickly and efficiently. Christy, the PAP Cat Coordinator, along with the other PAP board members and volunteers, not only care passionately about the animals that they rescue but equally for the volunteers dedicating their time and hearts to this cause. There is nothing more rewarding than helping these rescues find their forever home. Paws Across Pittsburgh offers consistent supports, experienced guidance, and necessary materials. As foster families, we are never alone and always embraced in layers of compassionate community.

It’s one of the most fulfilling things you can ever do. It’s almost addicting how full your heart feels after adopting an animal out to the perfect home. Plus, I foster kittens, and my other animals love them! My dog absolutely loves to meet new kittens and try to mother them. After they’re tested and able to safely be around other cats, my cats love to play with them too. It’s almost like a full family project.

When I decided to start fostering, it was more than just a way to help animals in need—it was a tribute to the legacy of my beloved dog, Fluke. Fluke was a remarkable dog who came into my life when I adopted him from a foster organization, having been rescued from a high-kill shelter. The bond we shared was extraordinary, and his impact on my life was immeasurable. Fluke’s story is a testament to the impact fostering can have—without a foster to take him in, he would not have found his way to me. When Fluke passed away, I wanted to honor his memory, and that’s when I began fostering. I knew that I could not only save the lives of dogs in need, but I could also help others find their heart dog, just as I found mine. Fostering has been a profoundly rewarding experience, enriching my life in ways I never imagined. Each animal that comes into my home brings its unique story and personality, and I have the privilege of being part of their journey to a better life. It's incredibly fulfilling every time I see one of my fosters go to their new home. I know that I've played a part in giving them a second chance at life, and that is incredibly meaningful. I often think of Fluke and how his legacy lives on through each animal I foster. If you’re considering fostering, I encourage you to take the leap. It’s an opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of animals and to experience a type of love and gratitude that is truly special. Through fostering, we honor the legacies of our past pets and create new beginnings for animals in need. It’s a beautiful cycle of love, compassion, and second chances.

I began fostering in 2019 because I saw so many dogs in need that I wanted to take in. I couldn’t adopt them all, but I found a way to help that was even more rewarding. There is nothing better than seeing these dogs blossom in our home, and then seeing the joy they bring to the people who adopt them! We get to play a role in countless happy endings. Everyone always asks how hard it is to them go. It’s not always as hard as you may think. I’d rather my heart break a little so theirs never breaks again. People also say that they would want to keep them all. There are definitely some that have come into our lives that we couldn’t let go of, but if we keep them all, we can’t help another dog in need. I would urge anyone who has considered fostering to just give it a try. You will have incredible support with our rescue while becoming part of the solution.