Superstar Foster Program

The Superstar Pup Academy is Animal Care League's specialized training program for shelter dogs. Through individualized, one-on-one training, our behavior team helps dogs build confidence, learn important life skills, and overcome challenges that may be preventing them from finding homes.

After graduating from the Academy, these dogs head into foster homes to practice their skills in a real-life environment. That's where Superstar Foster Families come in!

As a Superstar Foster, you'll receive personalized support from our training team, educational resources, and all the supplies you need. We'll teach you the basics of dog behavior and positive reinforcement training, and our trainers will be available to guide you every step of the way.

By fostering a Superstar Pup, you'll help reinforce their training, increase their adoptability, and give them the opportunity to shine outside of the shelter. You'll also play a direct role in reducing shelter stress, shortening a dog's length of stay, and helping more shelter dogs find lasting homes.

Before you can bring home a Superstar Pup, you'll need to complete our standard foster onboarding process. This includes submitting a foster application, completing our online foster orientation, and providing proof of homeowners or renters insurance.

We're also building something exciting! As the Superstar Foster Program continues to grow, we're creating a dedicated training video just for Superstar Fosters. You'll learn the basics of dog behavior, how dogs communicate, how to use positive reinforcement, and what to do if your foster pup needs a little extra help with their training at home.

Ready to get started? Reach out to Remy, our Foster Manager, at Foster@animalcareleague.org to schedule a meet-and-greet with one of our Superstar Pups and their trainer. It's a great opportunity to learn about the dog's personality, training, and unique strengths before they head home with you.

When it's time to foster, we'll send you home with everything you need—including supplies, a personalized packet about your pup, and direct contact information for your trainer. You'll also receive regular check-ins at 3 days, 1 week, and 3 weeks (and beyond!) so we can celebrate progress, answer questions, and support you every step of the way

Our ideal foster commitment is about three weeks, giving your Superstar Pup plenty of time to practice their new skills in a home environment. Can't commit to the full three weeks? No problem! We'd still love to have you involved—just let us know, and we'll work with you to find a foster arrangement that fits your schedule.

Click on the button below to view our foster board! You can see our eligable superstars under the superstar tab!