5 sites for finding foster homes for rescued dogs and cats [Basic information before rescuing]

When considering adopting a dog or cat, many people consider rescue dogs and cats.

Rescue dogs and cats are often sought for adoption through local public health centers and online. There are several adoption sites, offering a wide range of information on rescue dogs and cats. Each site has different rescue histories and requirements, so be sure to check beforehand.

In this article,

"Where can I find rescue dogs and cats for adoption?"

"Can I check what kind of dogs and cats they are online?"

"What should I be aware of before adopting a rescue dog or cat?"

For those of you thinking about adopting a rescue dog or cat, we'll introduce you to five well-known adoption sites and some basic information to know before adopting.

If you're considering adopting from a foster care site, please refer to this information.

How do I find rescue dogs and cats?

To find rescue dogs and shelter dogs, check out the Ministry of the Environment's "Shelter Animal Search Information Site."

You can check information on lost dogs and cats being cared for and housed at local public health centers and animal welfare centers across the country.

There are also links to local government websites listing dogs and cats available for adoption, as well as a list of dog and cat adoption events.

In addition, private organizations also publish information about adoptive homes online. Check local government information and private adoption sites to find a rescue dog or cat you can welcome into your family.

5 Sites Looking for Adoptions for Rescue Dogs and Cats

Next, we will introduce five websites that help find foster homes for rescued dogs and cats.

• OMUSUBI
• Always looking for foster parents
• Anifare
• NPO Dog and Cat Lifeboat
• Pet Shop Coo & RIKU: Adoption of Dogs and Cats

The adoption site lists not only adult dogs and cats, but also puppies and kittens for adoption. Both male and female dogs and cats are listed, so if you see something you like, please feel free to inquire.

OMUSUBI (knot)

Source: OMUSUBI

OMUSUBI is an adoption site that connects rescued dogs and cats with foster homes. Our mission is to "resolve the issue of euthanasia by creating happy families."

The dogs and cats featured on the site are rescued by rescue organizations that have passed OMUSUBI's unique screening process. Information on over 200 organizations nationwide is included. There's also a compatibility test available to check your compatibility with rescue dogs and cats, so you can check your compatibility before adopting them.

The process for using OMUSUBI is as follows:

① Find a pet you're interested in

② Check the conditions and apply

③ Contact a rescue organization

④ Visits and Trials

You can rest assured that adoption will be supported by a secretariat staffed by certified pet care managers.

【Check out information on rescued dogs and cats on OMUSUBI】

Always Looking for Adoption

Source: Always Looking for Adoption

Always Looking for Adoption is a site that connects people looking for adoption with people looking to become pet owners.

The site's greatest feature is that it not only lists information from rescue organizations, but also from individuals looking for adoption. Individuals are also looking for adoption for a variety of reasons, including financial constraints and allergies.

The process for using the Always Looking for Foster Parents service is as follows:

① Register

② Find a pet you're interested in

③ Apply to be a foster parent

④ Visitation/Adoption

Including those that have closed, there are a total of over 30,000 foster parent applications.

【Check out information on rescued dogs and cats available for adoption at any time】

Anifare 

Source: Anifare 

Anifare is a foster home recruitment website that lists over 2,700 rescued dogs and cats.

Veterinarians support the initiative, and when adopting a pet, you can receive a health check and care advice at the veterinary clinic. You can get an accurate understanding of the health condition of rescued dogs and cats and receive appropriate advice, so even first-time dog or cat owners can feel at ease.

​​The process for using AniFair is as follows:

① Find a pet you're interested in

② After making an inquiry, receive a hearing to discuss necessary details

③ Contract

④ Handover at the veterinary clinic

If you have any questions about raising a pet, please ask your veterinarian at the time of delivery.

【Check out information on rescued dogs and cats on Anifare】

NPO Dog and Cat Lifeboat

Source: Lifeboat

Lifeboat is a website that takes in rescued dogs and cats from animal shelters and recruits them for adoption. With over 20 years of experience, we have found homes for over 20,000 animals to date.

We also have a veterinary clinic on-site, so we not only provide care for rescued dogs and cats, but also provide them with the best possible medical care.

The process for using the Lifeboat is as follows:

① Find an animal you're interested in

② Check the conditions and inquire

③ Visit

④ Adoption

Animal shelters provide proper care and feeding for rescued dogs and cats, allowing many of them to live healthy lives.

【Check out information on rescued dogs and cats on Lifeboat】

Pet Shop Coo & RIKU: Dogs and Cats for Adoption, Looking for Adoption Homes

Source: Pet Shop Coo & RIKU

Pet Shop Coo & RIKU lists information about dogs and cats available for adoption.

Over 4,420 dogs and cats have found homes through Pet Shop Coo & RIKU. Currently, over 180 dogs and cats are looking for homes.

All dogs and cats are kept in excellent health by our affiliated veterinary clinic. We also provide vaccinations and deworming.

The process for using Pet Shop Coo & RIKU is as follows:

① Find a pet you're interested in

② Apply

③ Interview

④ Adoption

Pet insurance is required at the time of adoption, so you can rest assured even if you incur expensive veterinary treatment costs.

【Check out information on rescued dogs and cats at Pet Shop Coo & RIKU】

Five Basic Things to Know Before Adopting a Rescue Dog or Cat

Here are five basic things you should know before adopting a rescue dog or cat.

What are the requirements for fostering?

While requirements vary slightly depending on the rescue organization and region, you must be an adult who can financially support a rescue dog or cat.

The basic conditions are as follows:

• Living in an area with a public health center accepting dogs and cats
• Having the financial means to care for a dog or cat
• The person in charge of adopting the pet is an adult
• If you are over 60 or 65 years old, you can be sure of finding a home for the pet if you are no longer able to keep it.
• Consent from all family members is obtained.
• Taking appropriate measures to prevent breeding, such as spaying or neutering.
• Living in a home where keeping a dog or cat is not an issue.
• Receiving on-site inspections and guidance before and after adoption.

For more information on foster parenting requirements, please refer to the following article.

【I want to adopt a dog or cat from the animal shelter! Explaining costs, conditions, and more! 】

Can I become a foster parent if I live alone?

It's generally said that it's more difficult for people living alone to become foster parents. This is mainly for the following reasons:

• Long periods away from home
• Financial issues
• Frequent life stage changes

However, some foster parent recruitment sites state "Single people welcome" or "Single people require consultation." In this case, if you meet the following conditions, you may be able to become a foster parent even if you live alone.

• Prepare the pet's environment
• Decide on a pet boarding facility just in case
• Make your intentions known
• Adopt an adult dog or cat

Puppies and kittens require a lot of care, so people who live alone and are often away from home for long periods of time may be turned down. On the other hand, adult dogs and cats are relatively easy to care for, so they are more likely to be deemed suitable for a single person.

Also, be sure to decide on a pet boarding facility in case you suddenly become ill or find yourself in a difficult situation.

Are indoor pets required?

Some adoption sites require rescue dogs to be kept indoors. This is because leaving a rescue dog alone outside can cause problems.

Some rescue dogs have grown up without human affection. These dogs need to be given plenty of human love and warmth so they can experience it.

Also, if a rescue dog is left alone outside, it may become frightened and develop problematic behavior. For this reason, some organizations prohibit keeping dogs outdoors, such as guard dogs, so be sure to check beforehand.

How much does it cost to rescue a dog?

If you adopt a dog from a public health center, the cost will usually be less than 10,000 yen. However, if you use a foster care website, the cost will vary depending on the rescue organization.

For example, with the adoption site we introduced this time, "Anifare" charges fees for transporting pets, pet insurance, and microchipping. According to the Adoption Fees, the cost is 96,700 yen for dogs and 90,500 yen for cats.

With "Lifeboat," both dogs and cats are charged a flat rate of 30,000 yen.

Fees are listed on the site, so be sure to check beforehand. If you have any questions about the costs, we recommend checking before adopting.

How much does a pet cost over its lifetime?

Depending on the calculation method and your living environment, the lifetime cost is approximately 3 million yen.

Breakdown	Amount
Initial costs (vaccines, tests, daily necessities, etc.)	Approximately ¥47,000
One-year care costs (food, consumables, grooming, etc.)	Approximately ¥190,000
One-year medical expenses	Approximately ¥50,000
One-year utility costs	Approximately ¥20,000

Breakdown	Amount
Initial costs (vaccines, tests, daily necessities, etc.)	Approximately 35,000 yen
One-year pet care costs (food, consumables, grooming, etc.)	Approximately 60,000 yen
One-year medical expenses	Approximately 30,000 yen
One-year utility costs	Approximately 20,000 yen

The cost of owning a dog is higher than that of a cat due to differences in medical and grooming fees. Dogs require more training and discipline than cats, and are often walked outdoors, so they are said to be at higher risk of injury.

Cats generally groom themselves, so they don't need to be groomed as frequently as dogs.

Furthermore, both dogs and cats are at higher risk of illness as they age, so you need sufficient financial resources to live with them.

Consider the lifetime costs and carefully consider whether you can properly care for them.

Summary (Adoption Site for Rescue Dogs and Cats)

To become a foster parent for a rescue dog or cat, you can choose from a local health center, animal shelter, or adoption site. Since this will be a family member you'll be living with for many years, it's important to make all the necessary preparations and checks.

Costs vary depending on where you adopt, so be sure to check.

Even if you can't adopt a rescue dog or cat for some reason, you can still help with dog and cat protection efforts by spreading the word and making donations via social media.

If you love dogs and cats, please consider adopting one from a public health center or adoption site, or supporting rescue efforts.