Tulsa-area hound lovers, we need you!
Every Hound We Save Lives in a Foster Home
Helpless Hounds has no shelter building. Every hound we rescue lives in a foster home until they're adopted, so the number of open foster homes decides how many dogs we can say "yes" to.
We're almost always over capacity. When our foster homes are full, hounds in Tulsa-area shelters, strays and owner surrenders have to wait. One more foster home in the Tulsa area means one more hound we can pull to safety.
- $0Fostering costs you nothing
- 100%Of vet care covered by us
- ~6 weeksAverage foster stay
A temporary home makes a forever difference
What Is Fostering?
Fostering means opening your home and your heart to a hound in need for a while, usually until they're adopted or for a set amount of time.
A foster home gets a dog out of the stress of a shelter or boarding kennel and gives them one-on-one attention. Because we pull hounds from shelters, off the streets and from rural areas, we often don't know much about them when they arrive. Living in a home is how we learn who they really are: how they do with other dogs, cats and kids, how active they are, and what kind of forever home will suit them.
You provide a safe, loving home and everyday care. We handle the rest, including finding the right adopter.
You bring the couch. We bring everything else.
What Helpless Hounds Provides
Fostering costs you nothing. We supply what your foster hound needs, and we pay for all of their care.
- Crate
- Food
- Collar, ID tag and leash
- Toys
- All vet care
- Vaccines
- Spay or neuter
- Medications and preventatives
- Marketing and the adoption process
Bought something for your foster? We reimburse you. Supplies we provide go back to the rescue when your hound is adopted, or stay with you for your next foster dog.
Love, routine and a little patience
What Fosters Do
- Provide a safe, clean and caring home
- Feed the food we provide, and give fresh water, exercise and socialization
- Watch for medical or behavior concerns and give medications as needed
- Get your foster to vet visits and adoption events when you can
- Tell us about your hound's personality and routine so we can find the right match
- Keep your foster's ID tag on at all times, and keep them leashed outside your home or fenced yard
Can't always drive? That's okay. We have a network of volunteer drivers who help with transport.
How Long Does Fostering Last?
Anywhere from a few days to several months. On average, a hound stays in foster care about six weeks before going home. Some are adopted quickly; others take a little longer to find their match. Want something shorter? Pick one of the short-term options below.
Find the one that fits your life
5 Ways to Foster
Regular Foster
Until adoptionFully vetted adults: anywhere in the USCare for a hound in your home until they're adopted. We provide everything they need the whole time. Fully vetted adult hounds can be fostered anywhere in the US, so you don't have to live near Tulsa.
Weekend Foster
Friday afternoon to Monday morningWithin 30 min of TulsaGive a hound a weekend away from the kennel and a chance to relax in a real home. We need weekend fosters every single weekend.
Short-Term Foster
Set end dateWithin 2 hrs of TulsaFoster for a set stretch of time that works for your schedule, with an end date agreed up front.
Emergency / Temporary Foster
24 to 48 hoursWithin 30 min of TulsaBe a safe landing spot for a day or two when a hound needs somewhere to go on short notice.
Sunday Funday
A few hoursWithin 30 min of Tulsa$20 Visa gift card includedTake a hound out for a few hours of fun: a walk, a park or a dog-friendly patio. It's a great way to try fostering, and we'll give you a $20 Visa gift card for your outing.
Not Sure Which?
Apply anyway and tell us what sounds good to you. Our foster team will help you find the right fit.
What You'll Need to Apply
- A photo ID
- Basic information about your home and any pets you have
- A vet reference we can contact to confirm your pets are spayed or neutered and up to date on vaccines and prevention
- A fenced yard is nice, but it is not required
You can tell us your preferences for age, size and gender. The more open you are, the faster we can match you; very specific requests may mean waiting a bit for the right hound.
What Happens After You Apply
- Fill out the application at the bottom of this page.
- Our foster team reaches out to talk about the kind of fostering that fits your home and schedule.
- We match you with a hound and set you up with supplies, food and everything else they need.
Foster FAQs
Who pays for vet care?
We do. Every hound in foster care is examined, vaccinated and spayed or neutered, and we cover all of their medical care. If your foster needs to see a vet, contact us right away and we'll tell you where to take them. For emergencies, please get the rescue's approval before heading to an emergency clinic whenever you can, and let us know immediately if your foster is hurt or goes missing.
What if I fall in love and want to adopt my foster?
It happens, and we call it a "foster fail." We're here for it! If your hound is thriving with you, we think that's the best place for them to stay. Most of the time, fosters get first right to adopt their foster dog.
Just tell us as soon as you're thinking about it, because we're always marketing our hounds and could already be reviewing an application for that dog. You'll need an approved adoption application, and the regular adoption fee applies.
What if I can't keep my foster dog?
Life happens. Let us know right away and we'll work with you to move your hound to another foster home. Please don't rehome a foster dog yourself: the hound stays in Helpless Hounds' care until their adoption is complete.
Do I need a fenced yard or experience with dogs?
No fenced yard is required. Your foster just needs to be on a leash any time they're outside your home or a fenced area, and should never be left outside unsupervised. We'll guide you through everything else.
I don't live near Tulsa. Can I still foster?
Yes. Fully vetted adult hounds can go to Regular foster homes anywhere in the US. Short-Term fostering is open to homes within about 2 hours of Tulsa, and Weekend, Emergency and Sunday Funday fostering are for homes within about 30 minutes of Tulsa.
More questions? Email us at helplesshounds@gmail.com.
Ready to help a hound?
Foster Application
Fill out the form below and our foster team will be in touch.
