Worth the Wait List

Foster to Adopt Opportunities

This page is for Worth the Wait List adopters who may be interested in fostering-to-adopt as a pathway to adoption.

What are the benefits of foster-to-adoption for Worth the Wait list adopters?

  • As the foster for the selected puppy, you will get “first dibs” to adopt them - no matter when you joined the Worth the Wait List.

  • You’ll get extra time to decide. We usually give fosters until just after the wellness exam to decide if they want to adopt the dog in their care - this can be anywhere from 1-7 days after welcoming the dog. WTWL foster-to-adopters will get 14 days to make a decision - two weeks with the puppy in your home so you can decide if a puppy - or this puppy - is right for you.

  • OTAT PDX foster’s receive $100 off of their adoption fee if they decide to adopt the dog they are fostering!

What else do I need to know?

  • WTWL FTAs should be aware that they will need to sign up to become approved fosters with OTAT PDX. Because you already have an adoption profile, this process is pretty easy and we can help walk you through it!

  • Puppies often do best when fostered with another dog, or one or more of their siblings. If you do not already have a confident, puppy-tolerant resident dog in your home, we will ask that you foster at least two puppies at once so they have a friend during their transition period after arriving to OTAT PDX.

  • You will be responsible for all the normal foster parent things - picking the foster puppy up when they arrive on New Dog Day, getting them to/from scheduled wellness exam or vaccine appointments, making them available for events like Puppy Yoga and Paws for a Break, etc. All OTAT PDX foster policies and procedures still apply, even if you are fostering with the goal of adoption.

  • Finally, if you ultimately decide not to adopt, you will be asked to foster the puppy (or puppies) through to adoption and make them available for adoption events. The good news is, puppies usually move fast, so the commitment isn’t usually too long :)

Okay, I’m sold - how do I sign up?

If you already have an approved foster application on file, skip to Step 2.

  1. Since you already have an approved adoption survey in our system, please use this link to apply to foster with OTAT PDX using your existing profile. You will need your unique ID that was provided at the time of your original application.

  2. Next (or if you are already an approved foster with us) please fill out this form and we will follow-up via email with more details about the puppies that will be joining our foster program in the next 2-4 weeks so you can decide if you would like to foster, and hopefully adopt them!