Join the Foster Tales family.

Our unique approach to adoption ensures success and satisfaction.

Your decision to adopt should be celebrated.

Adopters are considered heroes at Foster Tales.

At Foster Tales, we are dedicated to saving dogs from two of the most overcrowded and least visited high-kill shelters in California's Central Valley. We proudly serve as a premier adoption agency, helping caring individuals and families open their homes and hearts to rescued dogs. In these shelters, dogs of all breeds and ages face a grave risk of euthanasia. Our mission is to give these dogs a second chance at a quality life. Through our dedicated foster care system, we work tirelessly to prepare our canines for adoption. By utilizing professional photography and crafting detailed, heartfelt bios, we showcase each dog's unique personality to connect them with loving adopters.

To maximize visibility, we advertise our dogs across Northern California and beyond, using Petfinder’s “out-of-town pet” feature. With few adoption prospects locally due to the overwhelming number of dogs in need, our outreach efforts have successfully placed nearly 200 dogs in forever homes outside our area in the last 18 months alone. Our dedication ensures that these dogs find the loving families they deserve. Check out our new Testimonial Page to hear from some of our satisfied 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 prioritize educating adopters rather than scrutinizing them. Our adoption process features a unique "pre-adoption counseling" session with a certified dog trainer, designed to help you smoothly integrate your new dog into your home. We don't require lengthy applications or documentation like proof of income. Instead, we seek adopters who are eager to engage in our supportive process. Our adoption fee serves as a litmus test for ensuring adopters are financially prepared to care for a dog.

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.