So you want to be a dog foster

So you want to be a dog foster...

Pet Adoptions

Thank you for your interest in becoming a foster

Last Hope is a non-profit 501(c)(3), no kill, foster-based rescue organization, run solely by volunteers. We foster animals in our homes until permanent homes can be found. We are funded totally by donations and adoption fees. All money collected goes directly to saving the animals. We appreciate your interest and support in becoming a great foster!

To apply on line, click here

For a form that you can fill out and mail in or deliver in person, click here

The Process

Once you have completed the volunteer application, the dog coordinator will call you with a possible foster, or if you are available to foster, you can call one of the coordinators to see if we have anything for you.

Only the dog coordinator, Angela 651-451-7603, may accept animals into Last Hope. We do take surrenders as well as strays but surrenders must pay a fee.

We work on house manners while they are in our care. The longer we have the dog, the more we know the dog and how it interacts with children, other dogs, cats and all the dog's good points and bad!

We will usually take dogs with illnesses, injuries from being outside, abused, pregnant dogs, unwanted or abandoned litters, when we have room. You must remember that we cannot save every animal but we rescue all we possibly can. Last Hope has rescued over 30,000 animals since 1985.

Canine intake

When you receive an animal for fostering, the coordinator will explain all she knows about the animal. If you agree to foster the animal, you will pick them up at one of our veterinarians. Currently, we are using Farmington Veterinary Hospital, Aiken Hills in Farmington, Southview Animal Hospital in Inver Grove Heights and Mendakota in Mendota Heights.

When received, the animal is first vet checked. NEVER take an animal from anyone unless it has been vet checked and approved for intake by the dog coordinator.

Veterinarian Care

When you pick up the animal, be sure to ask for the health record and double check it to be sure they have entered in all the procedures your dog or puppy has received and the date(s) of service. You need the health record for adoption. The record goes with you until the animal is adopted and then the health record is given to the new owner.

Health Concerns

If at any time you suspect your foster dog or puppy is sick, contact Angela, or contact the vet where you picked up the animal.
Illnesses do occur, and it is our responsibility to treat them.
Do not hesitate to call

Spay and Neutering

All Last Hope dogs are spayed or neutered when they are over 6 months of age. If your foster puppy turns 6 months while in your care, you must get the spay or neuter okayed by one of the coordinators. They will designate a clinic to have the surgery done.

Adoption days are important!

We have approximately 4 adoption days a month. We would like you to attend as many as possible so that you can answer questions about the animal(s) you are fostering. Please come on time and stay until the end. The purpose of fostering is to find permanent homes for our rescues. Your help is pivotal to the placement our your foster dog or puppy.

Write down neatly, a bio on the dog, with its name, age, sex, personality, for example: temperament, whether or not it gets along with other animals, kids etc. This will go on the front of the cage so other fosters and volunteers will know as much info as possible to better adopt out your foster animal. Also be sure to bring the health record you received from the vet. The health record goes with the animal to the customer.

Fostering is a fun and enjoyable experience. Foster homes enable Last Hope to place unwanted and abandoned animals into loving homes. As a volunteer your commitment is critical to Last Hope’s mission: To save the animals. Thank you for your time and commitment.

Read the full document here.

Adoption Day:

We are always at the Apple Valley Petco, at Petsmart in Eagan or West ST Paul Petco on Saturdays or You can call the foster during the week to learn more and meet one during the week!

(more animals available for adoption.)

Policy on adoptions: Many of our younger dogs were strays or lived in homes before that did not have a place to run. That is why you may see some dogs require a fenced in yard or 10 or more acres to run.
Statistics show that preschoolers are more likely to be bit than older children. Therefore, we do not place any of our dogs in homes where children 4 and under are present.