Animals are waiting for foster homes right now. Without a foster, they cannot leave the shelter — and it costs you nothing. We cover all food and vet care.
Apply now →That's what fostering feels like. A scared dog settling in next to you on the couch. A litter of kittens finally warm. The moment an animal stops bracing and just… breathes. YHBR handles everything — food, vet care, supplies — so you can focus on the part that only you can give: the feeling of home.
A shelter kennel is loud, cold, and unfamiliar. Animals shut down in them — and that shutdown is what gets them passed over. Your home changes everything. One couch, one quiet room, one consistent person — and suddenly a dog that looked "unadoptable" becomes the dog someone falls in love with.
Animals fostered in homes get adopted faster, bond more deeply, and arrive at their forever families with a real history instead of a blank file. You're not just keeping them alive — you're making them ready to be loved.
Most of our fosters say the same thing: they thought they were helping the animal. They didn't expect how much it would give back.
"Fostering is the most rewarding thing I've ever done — and I've fostered 14 pets!"
— Jennifer R., YHBR Foster ParentSome animals arrive with us before they're fully ready for adoption — they may still need their spay/neuter surgery or to complete their vaccination series. For these pets, we offer our foster-to-adopt pathway.
The animal moves into your home right away. You care for them, love them, and help them settle in — while we complete their medical needs.
YHBR covers all vet costs — spay/neuter, vaccinations, and any other needed care. You don't pay a thing while fostering.
Once the animal is fully vaccinated and spayed/neutered, adoption is officially completed. No waiting periods, no surprises — just a seamless transition.
Questions about foster-to-adopt? Contact us and we'll walk you through the process.
From application to adoption — here's what the process looks like, step by step.
Complete our foster interest form below. Tell us about your home, experience with pets, and what types of animals you're comfortable caring for.
A team member will reach out via email or Facebook Messenger to match you with the right animal and answer all your questions.
We'll coordinate pickup and set you up with all supplies, food, and medical records for your new temporary housemate.
Provide a loving, safe environment. Send us updates and photos (we love them!). Our team is just a text away if you need support.
Tell us a little about yourself and we'll reach out within 2–3 days to find your perfect match.
From bottle babies to bonded pairs — every foster story is a life saved. Here are just a few of the Yuma families who opened their homes.
He didn't know what a bed was. Found on a Yuma street at barely 40 pounds — half what a dog his size should weigh — Chance had never had a reason to trust anyone. Months of vet care and quiet foster patience gave him one. He put on weight, learned to rest, and eventually walked into a forever home with his tail going the whole way.
— YHBR rescue & foster team
Every human who came near him sent him into a full shutdown — cowering, trembling, unreachable. Grimace had learned that people meant danger, and he believed it completely. Weeks of quiet foster patience slowly rebuilt something in him. Today he lives in the Midwest, thoroughly convinced that people are, on balance, pretty great.
— YHBR foster volunteer
She arrived nursing three kittens, underweight and terrified — a mom doing her best with nothing left. A Foothills family took them in for six weeks, just to help out. They thought it was temporary. Luna apparently had other plans, and they're all still together.
— Foster family, Yuma FoothillsWant to share your own foster story? We'd love to hear it — and feature it here.
Share Your Story →We'll send you what to expect on day one, how to handle common foster situations, and first notice when animals need homes. Nothing filler. Just what actually helps.
Nothing. Fostering with YHBR is completely free to you. We cover 100% of all food, veterinary care, and supplies. There is zero financial commitment required from foster families — ever.
A safe, caring home environment and a willingness to give an animal temporary love. We provide everything else — food, supplies, and all medical care. No prior fostering experience required.
In many cases, yes. We work with you to find a foster animal that is compatible with your existing pets. We assess each situation individually to find the best match for your household and the animal.
Some animals arrive before they're ready for official adoption — they may still need their spay/neuter or to complete their vaccination series. You care for them in your home, and once their medical needs are met, adoption is finalized. You get to know them first, with no pressure to commit.
Have a question we didn't answer? Reach out — we're happy to help.
Real animals. Real urgency. No fluff — just the ones who need you right now.