Foster To Adopt

Every night in a shelter is one too many.

Our Foster-to-Adopt program helps get animals into homes faster—giving them comfort and stability.

Through this program, registered fosters can take home select animals with the potential to adopt once the pet becomes available. It’s a great way to give an animal a break from the shelter while giving yourself time to make sure it’s the right match. This unique opportunity is ideal for those looking to adopt but who want to be sure before making it official—especially for animals with medical needs or specific behavioral considerations. Want to know how to get involved? Scroll down for more information!

Even a few days in a home can make a lasting difference.

CHECK OUT OUR ELIGIBLE DOGS

CHECK OUT OUR ELIGIBLE CATS

Ready to get started?

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

All Star Animals

All-Star animals are extra special—and always eligible for Foster-to-Adopt!

These pets come with added training and medical support from our team, making it even easier to build a successful connection. Whether they’re working on confidence, recovering from a medical condition, or just need a little extra TLC, our All-Stars are supported every step of the way—and so are you.

Want to see our All Stars? Click HERE.

Questions?

Check out the FAQ’s below or email fosters@ahconnects.org

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What is the Foster-to-Adopt (FTA) program?

The FTA program allows approved fosters to take in an animal with the potential to adopt once the pet is fully ready. It’s designed for animals not yet ready for immediate adoption due to medical, surgical, or behavioral reasons.

Which animals are eligible for Foster-to-Adopt?

Eligible animals include:

Pets with medical concerns (e.g., heartworm).
Pets awaiting spay/neuter surgery.
Pets with approved behavioral issues.

Not eligible:

Healthy pets without medical or behavioral issues.
Pets already spayed/neutered.
Kittens

Where can I see available Foster-to-Adopt animals?

Photos of eligible cats and dogs are posted in real time and albums are labeled by species:

- - Cats: “Foster-to-Adopt Cats”
  - Dogs: “Foster-to-Adopt Dogs”

How soon before transport are animals posted?

Images are ideally posted to the Google Albums 5–7 days before arrival. At a minimum, they will be available at least 48 hours before transport.

Note: Animals not claimed within this timeframe may be placed into standard in-house or foster care.

Can I reserve a specific animal?

Yes! We encourage you to choose the animal you’d like to make a permanent part of your family. When multiple people are interested in the same animal, Anderson Humane will make placements based on the best fit for each household.

Potential Foster-to-Adopt homes are always given priority over standard foster homes. In the case of puppies with multiple interested families, Anderson Humane will determine placements for individual puppies within the litter.

What happens once I’m matched with an animal?

The Foster Team will coordinate your pick-up appointment, along with all the details you need!

What is the pick-up process like?

Same as standard foster pick-up! You will be notified of a date and time to pick up from our South Elgin Shelter Location.

When can I officially adopt the animal?

Once the animal is cleared for adoption, the Adoptions Assistant Manager will contact you and you’ll have 5 days to finalize the adoption.

If you decline:
The animal will be listed publicly on our website and you lose priority to adopt that animal, and will need to honor any appointments.

When are adoption appointments?

Adoption appointments are available:

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays: 9am–11am
Wednesdays, Sundays: 4pm–6pm

Appointments outside these times require approval from the Assistant Manager of Adoptions.

Can I give the pet to a friend or family member instead?

No. For the first month:

The animal must be adopted into the foster’s household.

No rehoming, gifting, or transfers are allowed through this program.

What happens during final adoption?

The final adoption process is the same as any other Anderson Humane adoption — simple, supportive, and by appointment only.

Do I qualify for the foster discount if I am just fostering to adopt?

Yes, signing up to foster to adopt you qualifies for all the same benefits as a normal foster, please review the foster manual to see if you qualify for the discount!

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