Why Fosters Are the Lifeline for Paws Across Pittsburgh Dogs

Every day, shelters across the country face heartbreaking choices. Dogs arrive faster than space opens up, and when kennels are full, shelters are forced to consider euthanasia—not because the dogs are “bad,” but simply because there’s no room left.

At Paws Across Pittsburgh, our mission is to step in and save as many of these dogs as we can. We work with overcrowded shelters to pull dogs into our rescue so they get a second chance at life. But we can only say “yes” to saving them if we have foster homes ready and waiting.

The State of Shelters Right Now

• Shelters are overwhelmed. While intakes dipped slightly this year nationwide, shelters are still packed with medium and large dogs who aren’t getting adopted quickly enough. Many of these are wonderful dogs who just need time and space to shine.

• Dogs are staying longer. Adoption rates aren’t keeping up, which means kennels stay full, and the cycle of overcrowding continues.

• Euthanasia is still a reality. Even though lifesaving rates have improved across the U.S., 2024 was the first year more dogs were euthanized than

  cats. Without fosters, shelters simply don’t have the capacity to keep them all safe.

Why Fosters Matter So Much

When you foster, you aren’t just helping one dog—you’re helping two:

1. The dog you foster gets a safe, loving home to relax, heal, and learn while waiting for adoption.

2. The dog who takes their kennel spot in the shelter gets a second chance too, instead of being at risk of euthanasia.

For Paws Across Pittsburgh, fosters are our lifeline. We don’t have a shelter building of our own—we rely 100% on foster families. Without fosters, we can’t save dogs from shelters that are out of space.

Common Concerns About Fostering (and Why You Can Still Help)

• “I can’t foster long-term.” Even short-term fosters (a few days or weeks) save lives by buying time for shelter dogs.

• “I can’t afford another pet.” We cover all vetting and often provide supplies—you provide love, patience, and a safe place to stay.

• “What if I get attached?” It’s normal! But every time you let a foster go to their forever family, you open your home to another dog who desperately needs saving.

Who Needs Fosters Right Now

• Medium and large dogs who don’t do well in noisy kennels.

• Dogs recovering from medical procedures who heal faster in homes.

• Puppies and nursing moms who can’t stay in a shelter environment.

• Shy or stressed dogs who blossom once they’re in a quiet home.

How You Can Help Today

Becoming a foster with Paws Across Pittsburgh is simple:

1. Apply online – it only takes a few minutes.

2. We match you with a dog that fits your home and lifestyle.

3. We provide the support—vetting, guidance, and supplies.

4. You provide the love—until the dog finds their forever home.

Fostering Saves Lives—Literally

Every day, we get urgent calls from shelters asking if we can take dogs who are out of time. With more foster homes, we can say “yes” more often.

If you’ve ever thought about fostering, now is the time. The need has never been greater, and your decision could mean the difference between life and death for a shelter dog.

Go to www.pawsacrosspittsburgh.com/foster for more information and to apply!