A foster fail is rescue slang for a foster who adopts the animal they were caring for. We love them. Here are three from the last year.
Marisol and Winnie
Winnie arrived as a heartworm-positive hound with a treatment plan and a lot of opinions about the couch. Marisol signed up for eight weeks of crate rest and stayed for the rest of it.
"I kept saying I was just getting her through treatment," Marisol told us. "Then I met the applicants and none of them were going to let her sleep on the pillow."
The Nguyen family and Otis
Otis was a shutdown senior cat who spent his first three weeks behind a dryer. The Nguyens took the slow route, sat on the floor every evening, and eventually got a headbutt.
They pulled his adoption listing the day he climbed into their youngest's lap during homework.
Dave and Pepper
Dave had fostered eleven dogs without a single wobble. Number twelve was a three-legged terrier who beat him to the truck every morning.
"Eleven for eleven, then Pepper," he said. "I have retired undefeated except for the one that counts."
Why we count it as a win
A foster fail is a perfect match found early, and the foster network keeps growing anyway. If you want to try fostering, we cover supplies and all vet care. The worst case is that you love them too much.
Give an animal a second chance
There are so many animals who still need a safe place to land. Whether you’re ready to adopt, open your home as a foster, or simply want to support our work, there’s a way to help.