Join the Foster Tales family.

Our unique approach to canine adoption enables success and satisfaction.

Your decision to adopt should be celebrated.

Adopters are considered heroes at Foster Tales.

At Foster Tales, we are dedicated to rescuing dogs from two of California’s Central Valley shelters, places known for being some of the most overcrowded, underfunded, and least visited in the state. These shelters are often the last chance for dogs of all breeds and ages, where they face heartbreaking conditions: exposure to deadly diseases, the risk of being taken by unfit individuals, or the grim reality of euthanasia. For many, hope is in short supply, but we are determined to change their stories.

With a network of fosters spanning California and Nevada, we provide each dog with the care, rehabilitation, and preparation they need to thrive. Using professional photography and heartfelt bios, we showcase their unique personalities to connect them with loving adopters. Our mission is to save lives and create forever families, one rescue at a time.

Foster Tales is based in Bakersfield, CA, an area where the odds are often stacked against dogs in need. To give these dogs the best chance at finding loving homes, we often search for adopters in Northern California and offer a range of transportation options, so adopters aren’t required to travel all the way to Bakersfield. Using Petfinder’s “out-of-town pet” feature, we advertise our dogs California and beyond, reaching areas with greater adoption opportunities.

Our outreach efforts have helped over 325 canines find forever homes outside Kern County in the last two years alone. We’re dedicated to ensuring these dogs get the futures they deserve. Check out our new Testimonial Page to hear directly from some of our happy adopters.

Thank you for being a dog hero by considering adoption. Your interest in one or more of our rescue dogs is truly valued. We often hear from adopters who feel ignored by other rescues, with inquiries going unanswered and lengthy applications never receiving a response. At Foster Tales, we pride ourselves on being different. Every inquiry receives a response within 48 hours, and we ensure that every completed application is promptly acknowledged. Your commitment to adopting a rescue dog is important to us, and we're here to support you every step of the way.

Our approach.

At Foster Tales, we focus on setting adopters up for success, not scrutinizing them. Our streamlined adoption process emphasizes education and support, featuring a personalized “adoption counseling” session with a certified dog trainer. This unique approach equips you with the tools and knowledge to smoothly integrate your new dog into your home and establish a lasting bond.

Unlike many rescues, we don’t require lengthy applications or invasive documentation like proof of income. Instead, we welcome adopters who are ready to embrace our supportive process and commit to giving a rescue dog the life they deserve.

Adoption Fee

As a nonprofit fully funded by donations and adoption fees, we rely on compassionate support from dog lovers to continue saving lives. Our adoption fee not only provides vital funding but also ensures adopters are financially prepared for the responsibilities of dog ownership. Adopting from Foster Tales is more than just taking home a pet—it’s joining a community dedicated to giving a dog love, care, family, and stability for its entire life.

We keep things simple and fair with our adoption fees. Instead of varying fees for each dog, we offer a flat adoption fee of $625. For dogs listed as long-term residents on our homepage, the adoption fee is reduced to $450, making it easier for these deserving dogs to find their forever homes.

The Foster Tales process.

Click to expand each step to learn more about our adoption process.

  • This helps us understand your expectations, give you general information, and answer any questions you have. Call or text 661-364-8844 to get started.

  • You will meet with the dog’s foster parent(s) and learn everything we know about the dog you are interested in. You will get to see how the dog behaves in a home setting, giving you a much better idea of the dog’s personality and mannerisms. While you are in the meet and greet process, we will not let any other adopters see the dog you are interested in to give you ample opportunity to adopt should you be interested.

  • You get 24 hours after the virtual meet and greet to decide if you want to pursue adoption. If you choose to proceed, you will need to complete our adoption application and agreement and submit a $100 deposit that goes towards your adoption fee (Venmo preferred). This deposit reserves the dog for you while you continue the adoption process, preventing anyone else from adopting your prospective canine friend.

  • Our Adoption Quality Assurance Specialist will set up a Zoom or FaceTime call where you will complete a tour of your living space, both inside and outside. We require it to be a live tour and do not accept videos or pictures. Once again, our process is designed to be educational and will not leave you feeling scrutinized. If something needs to be fixed, we will let you know and give you time to adjust rather than rejecting you.

  • One of our certified trainers will complete pre-adoption counseling with you, where they will teach you how to most successfully introduce your new dog to your home and life. Adopters report that this session is extremely valuable and helpful in transitioning a newly adopted dog. We promise that you will enjoy it! This adds value to your adoption and is included in your adoption fee; one-on-one coaching from a certified dog trainer is valued at over $200.

  • Your dog will be scheduled for one of our upcoming adoption transports. We drive to Merced (for NorCal adopters) every weekend to introduce dogs to their potential adopters and give them the opportunity to take their prospective dog for a "get-to-know-me" walk. If you fall in love, you are approved to pay the remaining adoption fee and take your new beloved pet home. We have other meet up points for adopters in other areas of the state, and occasionally we offer transport to San Francisco for an additional donation to cover transport costs.

Want more information?

Feel free to call or text our main line at 661-364-8844 for more information, or check out more of our website below.