Foster

At Desert Dog Project, we focus on Arizona’s most vulnerable dogs: the ones who end up in municipal (government run) shelters. They are the most vulnerable as public shelters are often underfunded and don’t have the luxury of turning away dogs when they are at capacity (as private shelters do), so unfortunately have to euthanize for space.

In Maricopa County, this shelter is Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC), which is where the dogs you see us post about are kenneled. Due to severe overpopulation issues, the only way that we can save dogs and get them out of the shelter is through having an amazing list of fosters. Without our amazing volunteers, we truly can’t do the work we do!

By far, the best way you can help is by signing up to be a foster with DDP! It is truly one of the most rewarding ways to spend your time, by inviting a pup into your home as they seek their medical treatment, decompress, and start to let their true personalities show. It gives them a chance to decompress, while also the chance for the volunteer to get to know about the dog, take photos/videos to spread awareness and advocate for the dog.

They are called fosters “heroes” for a reason. You really are saving a 2 lives by fostering; 1 by taking in the dog, and another by opening a kennel space for another. This can greatly reduce euthanasia rates and increase the chances of a dog being adopted, as it’s much easier to get to know the personality of a dog, as well as help with training and getting them ready for their furever home, in a loving home environment (rather than at the loud, stressful shelter).

We set our fosters up with everything they need for success:

• Food, bedding, crate, collar, leash, and the cost of all necessary medical needs (vet appointments, prescriptions, etc)

• Streamlined communication with the DDP team to check in on the dog and provide help when needed

• Tips and resources to help you properly integrate your new foster baby into your home (whether as the sole dog, or with others)

• Access to dog trainings for behavior, when necessary

• Education on how to advocate your foster dog to others to hopefully help get them adopted!

Here are some things that potential adopters like to know about in dogs (which short and long term fostering make possible):

• How is the dog in the house?

• What is their personality like? Silly? Energetic? A couch hippo?

• Any notes on their interactions with you, new people, other dogs (any introductions need to be done slowly and carefully), children, etc

• Anything that makes them uniquely them

• Are they house trained? Do they do well in a home environment?

Apply to Foster

Event Set Up

Desert Dog Project hosts several events throughout the year, and we’re always looking for volunteers to help us set up, work merch tables, etc! Check out our Events page, and contact us if you’re interested in helping out.

Medical & Foster Transfer

We’re always in need for volunteers to help us with transporting dogs. Whether it’s to a medical appointment, a foster’s house, or from the shelter, this is extremely valuable for us! Sometimes even with a foster, they may be unavailable to take a dog to their medical appointment due to work conflicts, so we are always looking for backups.

Services / Give Away Items for Events

Do you have any skill that you’d be willing to donate your time for? At Desert Dog Project, we are always looking for ideas for our next event. If you feel you have a service that you’ want to offer (fitness instruction, paining classes, baking are ideas of things we’ve done in the past), we’d absolutely love to chat! Please contact us.