One of the most common questions people have before fostering a dog through Memphis Animal Services is a simple one: what exactly does this cost me?
It is a fair question. Fostering sounds wonderful in theory, but if you are worried about unexpected vet bills, having to buy food and supplies out of pocket, or being left on your own when something goes wrong, that concern is going to keep you on the sidelines. The good news is that MAS provides more support than most people realize. Here is exactly what you can expect.
The Short Answer: Fostering Through MAS Is Free
There is no cost to become a foster family through Memphis Animal Services. You do not pay an application fee, a deposit, or a monthly fee. The dog in your home remains MAS property throughout the placement, which means their care is MAS’s responsibility, not yours.
What you provide is your home, your time, and your attention. What MAS provides is the medical care, the supplies when available, and the support to help you and the dog succeed. Here is what that looks like in practice.
Medical Care
This is the big one, and it is where most people’s concerns are centered. MAS provides all basic medical care for foster pets, with additional care offered as resources allow. That means vaccines, spay and neuter procedures, treatment for illness or injury that comes up during the placement, and any medications the dog needs while in your care.
If your foster dog gets sick or injured, you contact your MAS coordinator and they direct you to the appropriate veterinary care. You are not expected to cover those costs yourself. This is one of the most important things to understand before you say yes to a placement, because it removes what would otherwise be the biggest financial risk of fostering.
Supplies and Food
MAS can provide supplies such as food and kennels when available through donations. This is an honest and important distinction: supplies are provided based on what is available through the shelter’s donations and grants, not on a guaranteed basis. Some fosters receive food, a crate, a leash, and other basics at pickup. Others may need to supplement with their own supplies depending on what MAS has on hand at the time.
Going in with realistic expectations here is important. Plan to have basic supplies available just in case, and treat anything MAS provides as a welcome supplement rather than something to count on in advance. A simple setup a crate or gated space, food and water bowls, a leash, and some bedding is all you need to get started.
What MAS Provides to Foster Families
- All basic veterinary care for the duration of the foster placement
- Food when available through shelter donations
- Crates and kennels when available through shelter donations
- Medications the dog requires, with dosing instructions
- Health and vaccination records for the dog
- Coordinator support throughout the placement
- A clear process for what to do if a medical situation arises
The Types of Foster Placements MAS Offers
Not all foster placements look the same, and MAS offers several different types depending on the dog’s situation and your availability. Knowing the options helps you find the right fit for your household.
Standard Foster
The most common type. You take a dog home and care for them until they are adopted or transferred to a rescue partner. The timeline is not fixed but most placements range from a few weeks to a couple of months. This is the type that opens the most kennel space and has the biggest direct impact on MAS’s capacity.
Transport Foster
Transport fostering helps prepare dogs who have already been selected to leave MAS for one of our transport partners. Once a dog is identified for transport, MAS’s goal is to move them into a foster home right away so they can relax, recharge, and get ready for their trip. This is a great entry point for first-time fosters because there is typically a clear end date and lower open-ended commitment.
Medical Recovery Foster
Some pets need extra time and care to heal after an illness or injury. When the MAS veterinary team determines that recovery can safely and successfully happen in a home environment, they look for foster families to provide a quiet, comfortable place for them to rest and heal. These placements often work well for people who want to foster but prefer a lower-energy dog.
Foster Field Trip
A shorter, lower-commitment option where you take a dog out of the shelter for a few hours or a day. You might take them to Shelby Farms, a dog-friendly patio, or simply for a walk in your neighborhood. Field trips do not require the same setup as a full foster placement and are a great way to get started if you are not ready for a longer commitment.
Who Is Eligible to Foster
Any dog that is legally City of Memphis property and does not have documented behavior issues posing a risk to public safety is eligible for foster. That covers the vast majority of dogs in MAS’s care. Puppies, seniors, shy dogs, high-energy dogs, medical recovery cases, transport-ready dogs most of them are eligible and most of them are waiting.
On the foster side, MAS is looking for people who can provide a safe home environment, commit to the placement for its duration, and communicate with their coordinator when questions or issues arise. You do not need prior experience with dogs, though any relevant experience is helpful to share when you apply so they can match you with an appropriate dog.
An Honest Note on What You Are Responsible For
While MAS covers medical care and provides supplies when available, you are responsible for the day-to-day basics: feeding the dog, giving them exercise and attention, keeping them safe in your home, and communicating with your coordinator. If a medical situation arises outside of normal hours, you may need to make a judgment call about emergency care and coordinate with MAS afterward.
You are also responsible for making sure the dog does not escape, does not cause damage that goes beyond normal wear and tear, and is kept away from situations they are not ready for. This is not a hands-off arrangement. It is a partnership, and your engagement is what makes it work.
How to Apply
The application process through Memphis Animal Services is straightforward. You complete an online foster application through their website, and a coordinator follows up to discuss the types of placements that might be a good fit for your household. You can indicate your preferences for dog size, energy level, age, and any household considerations like resident pets or children.
Once approved, you are added to the foster pool and contacted when a dog becomes available that fits your profile. Some people are matched quickly. Others wait a few weeks depending on the current population and the types of placements they have indicated they can take. The more flexible you are, the faster you are likely to be placed.
The Bottom Line
Fostering through Memphis Animal Services does not require a large financial commitment, extensive experience, or a perfect home setup. It requires space, time, and a genuine willingness to care for a dog who needs a temporary place to land.
MAS handles the medical costs, provides support throughout the placement, and manages the adoption process on the other end. Your job is to be the home. That turns out to be exactly what these dogs need most.
Ready to Open Your Home to a Memphis Dog?
Fostering is free, flexible, and one of the most direct ways to help a dog in need. Apply through Memphis Animal Services today and a coordinator will help find the right match for your household.
