Temporary Pet Heroes: St. Louis Animal Care & Control’s New Foster Program

If you love animals but can’t commit to a pet long-term, fostering might be your perfect way to make a difference. With St. Louis Animal Care & Control’s new foster program and intakes at an all-time high, there’s never been a better and more needed time to open your home and heart to a needy animal, even if just temporarily.

St. Louis Animal Care & Control’s New Foster Program

St. Louis County’s Animal Care & Control facility is experiencing a surge in animal intake. A constant influx keeps the shelter at or beyond capacity, stretching staff and resources to their limits.

To address this urgent need, St. Louis County recently launched a new public foster program at its Pet Adoption Center in Olivette. For the first time, anyone in the community can apply online to foster a pet, making the process more accessible than ever before. The program is designed to prevent euthanasia by temporarily re-homing animals, especially large breed dogs who are most at risk due to space constraints.

Key features of St. Louis Animal Care & Control’s New Foster Program

• No-cost fostering: The shelter provides food, crates, toys, and medical care, so fosters incur no expenses
• Flexible commitment: Even a short-term foster of 2–3 weeks can make a life-saving difference
• Support and training: Fosters receive guidance from staff and access to a supportive community

Why Fostering Is Perfect for Pet Lovers Who Can’t Have Pets of Their Own

Fostering offers all the joys of pet companionship without the long-term responsibility. Here’s why it’s ideal if you can’t currently commit to a pet of your own:

On Your Terms

You can choose how long you foster—weeks, days, or until the pet is adopted. There’s no pressure to commit for years. Some fosters are back-ups, covering for fosters when they travel, for example.

No Financial Burden

Shelters typically supply everything you need, from food to medical care, so you can focus on care and fun.

Emotional Rewards

Fostering brings immense satisfaction. You’ll know you’ve made a direct impact on an animal’s life and helped your community.

Exposure to Different Pets

If you’re unsure what type of pet fits your lifestyle, fostering lets you learn about different breeds and personalities without a lifetime commitment.

Trial Run for Future Pet Ownership

Fostering is also a great way to see if pet care fits your life, or to introduce children to animal care and responsibility.

No Guilt When Saying Goodbye

The goal is to help pets find their forever homes. While saying goodbye can be bittersweet, it’s also a celebration of your success as a foster, nurturing the pet until the right family comes along.

Getting Involved in St. Louis Animal Care & Control’s New Foster Program

• Learn More: Get all the info you need by visiting the St. Louis County Animal Care & Control’s foster program page
• Apply Online: Visit the St. Louis County Animal Care & Control website to submit a foster application
• Meet Your Match: The foster team will help pair you with a pet that fits your home and lifestyle
• Pick Up Your Foster: Flexible hours and staff support make it easy to get started
• Share Your Story: Fosters are encouraged to help market their foster pets, increasing their chances of adoption

Loving, Compassionate Care for St. Louis Pets

You don’t need to commit for life to save a life. With St. Louis Animal Care & Control’s new foster programs, you can provide hope, healing, and a loving home, however temporary, to animals in need. Join the movement and discover the joy of fostering. At 4-Legged Kids, Inc. we care for fosters all the time and we know how great of an impact being in a loving home temporarily can have on a needy animal!

Founded in 1997, 4-Legged Kids, Inc. has grown into the largest in-home pet care company servicing large areas of St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County. We personalize our award-winning dog walking and pet sitting services to meet your and your pets’ needs, species, age, temperament, and more! Call 636-405-0400 or email ask@4leggedkids.com to register.

Existing clients, please request services here.

If you are located outside of our service area, we recommend you visit the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) or Pet Sitters International (PSI) to locate a professional pet sitter or dog walker near you.