How it Works

We work with our partner shelters in NYC and Kentucky to identify dogs for our foster program, then upload their information to the Foster Portal. This is done on a rolling daily basis!
Registered fosters can (and should!) check the Portal frequently to see pups who need foster placement.
Fosters indicate interest in a pup (or multiple pups!) through the Portal.
We match pups with potential fosters based on their submitted preferences, availability, and a pups’ unique needs.
We confirm matches via email, asking fosters to confirm within 24 hours of being matched and to request any needed supplies.
Once confirmed, we email our fosters pickup details.
Fosters pick up their MPR pup and care for them until they get adopted.

How We Make Matches

At Muddy Paws, we carefully consider each dog’s individual needs and each foster’s preferences and restrictions. This allows us to maximize lifesaving, and ensure every possible dog is paired with an approved foster parent.

Because we prefer to keep our dogs in the same home until they are adopted, we also generally look for fosters who can commit to fostering a dog for 2-3 weeks at minimum. However, short-term coverage is sometimes needed.

We will confirm a match requested by you, or reach out to you by email when we have a pup in need of placement that is a match for you - sharing their name, age, weight, photo, and any behavior information known. Once you confirm that you can foster the dog, we will coordinate any supplies you may need to borrow and send you the dog’s pickup details.

Haven’t been matched yet?

We do our best to match pups who need placement as quickly and responsibly as possible. If you haven’t been matched with a foster pup yet, here are a few reasons why that may be:

You haven’t requested pups through the Portal
Your availability is not up-to-date so we don’t know you’re available to foster pups we are trying to place
Your registration may have expired
Your preferences are too restrictive so there hasn’t been a pup that fits them

If you have any further questions about why you haven’t been matched with a foster pup, send our Foster Team an email!

Once You’ve Been Matched

We will be in touch to let you know your dog’s pickup details. In the meantime, you can prepare by dog-proofing your home and checking out our Foster Blog for tips and tricks that might come in handy!

You’ll hear from your Foster Buddy shortly before or after you pick up your pup - they are your source of support throughout your foster experience!

Thank you for opening your home and heart to our pups, and being part of their journey to their forever home!