All About the Foster 50 Challenge (2025)

Bonus Episode: Building and Scaling Foster Programs with Impact

PLEASE NOTE: This episode is from the 2025 Foster 50 Challenge, so some details and timing are out of date. For information on the 2026 Foster 50 Challenge, visit PEDIGREEFoundation.org/Foster50 [https://www.pedigreefoundation.org/foster50/]. Join us for an insider’s look at building and scaling a successful foster program. In this episode, we dive into how to pilot new ideas, gain buy-in from leadership and stakeholders, and use data to drive real change. You'll also learn how to effectively market your program and get a behind-the-scenes view of one of the largest foster programs in the country—including how they make onboarding simple and barrier-free. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up, this conversation is packed with practical insights you can use right away. GUESTS: * Daisy Navin, Foster Programs Manager, LifeLine Animal Project * Finnegan Dowling, Shelter Program and Engagement Manager, Mutual Rescue * Stephanie Jackson, Public Information Officer, Louisville Metro Animal Services LINKS: * Pilot program worksheet [https://docs.google.com/document/d/13LslqQ2AXP3YcXnsLf9OMktqqr3Z8IOjTon4GjlVzyo/edit?usp=sharing] * Dog field trip program names to inspire your shelter’s next brainstorming session [https://chewonthis.maddiesfund.org/2019/09/dog-field-trip-names-to-inspire-your-next-brainstorming-session/] (blog) * Doggy Day Out toolkit [https://mutualrescue.org/programs/doggy-day-out/doggy-day-out-toolkit/](Mutual Rescue) * Field trip pilot program toolkit [https://www.maddiesfund.org/assets/foster-care/field-trip-pilot-program-toolkit.pdf] (Maddie's Fund) * Sleepover/weekend foster toolkit [https://www.maddiesfund.org/assets/foster-care/sleepover-weekend-foster-pilot-program-toolkit.pdf] (Maddie's Fund)

Getting Pets Adopted from Foster Homes

PLEASE NOTE: This episode is from the 2025 Foster 50 Challenge, so some details and timing are out of date. For information on the 2026 Foster 50 Challenge, visit PEDIGREEFoundation.org/Foster50 [https://www.pedigreefoundation.org/foster50/]. Foster homes are great for pets, but they’re also a marketing goldmine. Learn about creating a process to market pets in foster homes and get them adopted- right from the couch. GUESTS:  * Rachel Jones, Consultant, Rachel at the Shelter   * Tori Fugate, Director of Communications, Shelter Animals Count  * Stephanie Jackson, Public Information Officer, Louisville Metro Animal Services  LINKS: * Marketing from Foster Homes Resource Collection [https://university.maddiesfund.org/products/marketing-pets-from-foster-homes-collection#tab-product_tab_overview] * Adoption from Foster Homes Resource Collection [https://university.maddiesfund.org/products/adoption-from-foster-homes-collection#tab-product_tab_overview] * How to create a process for marketing and adopting pets from foster homes [https://www.maddiesfund.org/assets/foster-care/how-to-create-a-process-for-marketing-and-adopting-pets-from-foster-homes.docx]  (PDF download) * Getting foster dogs adopted: Five tips for foster coordinators [https://chewonthis.maddiesfund.org/2019/10/getting-foster-dogs-adopted-5-tips-for-foster-coordinators/] (4 min. read) * Foster Resource Page Examples: * Kansas City Pet Project [https://kcpetproject.org/programs/foster/dog-foster-resources/] * One Tail at a Time [https://www.onetail.org/foster-resources/] * Pima Animal Care Center [https://www.pima.gov/2584/Foster-Resources]

How to Find New Fosters in Your Community

PLEASE NOTE: This episode is from the 2025 Foster 50 Challenge, so some details and timing are out of date. For information on the 2026 Foster 50 Challenge, visit PEDIGREEFoundation.org/Foster50 [https://www.pedigreefoundation.org/foster50/]. Tired of asking the same people over and over to foster? This episode is all about fresh recruitment ideas and proven ways to bring in new faces from all parts of your community.   GUESTS:   * Whitney Fang, Founding Executive Director, Hearts and Bones Rescue  * Meaghan Colville, Founder and Director of Shelter Operations, Cincinnati Animal CARE Humane Society   * Lauren Nickerson, Executive Director, Hawaii Island Humane Society  * Sam Wolfman, Director of Behavior and Pathway Planning, Animal Welfare League of Arlington  LINKS:  * Foster Caregiver Recruitment resource collection [https://university.maddiesfund.org/products/foster-caregiver-recruitment-collection#tab-product_tab_overview ] * Foster Caregiver Market Research Report [https://www.maddiesfund.org/assets/research/maddies-fund-foster-caregiver-research-report-june-2017.pdf] * Comprehensive Recruitment Plan [https://www.maddiesfund.org/assets/foster-care/comprehensive-foster-recruitment-plan.xlsx] * Need more foster caregivers? These 6 questions can help! [https://chewonthis.maddiesfund.org/2023/08/cant-find-foster-caregivers-these-6-questions-can-help/] (3 min. read)

Make Foster Onboarding Work for You

PLEASE NOTE: This episode is from the 2025 Foster 50 Challenge, so some details and timing are out of date. For information on the 2026 Foster 50 Challenge, visit PEDIGREEFoundation.org/Foster50 [https://www.pedigreefoundation.org/foster50/]. Let’s talk about low-barrier foster onboarding! What works, what doesn’t, and how to make it simple enough that people actually sign up and stay involved.  HOSTS: Kristen Hassen, Principal, Outcomes Consulting                Kelly Duer, Senior Shelter Solutions Specialist, Maddie's Fund GUESTS:  * Stacy Price, Operations Director, One Tail at a Time  * Clare Callison, Director of National Operations at American Pets Alive!  * Luis Quintanilla, Senior Director, Sanctuary Animal Care at Best Friends Animal Society  LINKS: * Foster application template [https://outcomesforpets.com/resource/animal-shelter-applications-and-questionnaires-reimagined/] * Foster agreement template [https://www.maddiesfund.org/assets/foster-care/foster-care-agreement-PACC.pdf]  * Evidence supporting a home-based approach to pet sheltering [https://docs.google.com/document/d/11zgNCBPedklyVrvBSI5953qj7IJLWM86/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107118349994460096903&rtpof=true&sd=true] * 2022 National Foster Survey [https://www.maddiesfund.org/assets/research/Dog-Cat-Foster-Care-Report-2022.pdf?_ga=2.31025791.1985666717.1745854536-1665449256.1710166815] * Thinkific [https://www.thinkific.com/]

All About the Foster 50 Challenge (2025)

PLEASE NOTE: This episode is from the 2025 Foster 50 Challenge, so some details and timing are out of date. For information on the 2026 Foster 50 Challenge, visit PEDIGREEFoundation.org/Foster50 [https://www.pedigreefoundation.org/foster50/]. Welcome to the Foster 50 Challenge! Thank you for joining us on this important journey to grow your foster network programming. In our first episode, you’ll hear real talk about what actually works to build a foster program that scales and sustains. We’ll also discuss the important checkpoints of the Foster 50 program to prepare you for grant submission timing and for our national consumer launch to drive foster participation to your organization. While all shelters and rescue organizations were invited to participate in the free trainings and access to online resources and Foster 50 podcast, grants are only open to organizations within the continental United States. In addition, shelter and rescue organizations in Puerto Rico that are 501(c)3 may also apply for one of the PEDIGREE Foundation grants. Later this month we will be formally announcing Foster 50 nationwide. As part of this announcement, we’ll be driving pet parents to a page on PEDIGREEFoundation.org where they can learn more about how to foster, how to prepare for fostering, and what shelters and rescues in their area are participating in Foster 50. HOSTS: Kristen Hassen, Principal, Outcomes Consulting                Kelly Duer, Senior Shelter Solutions Specialist, Maddie's Fund GUEST: Sarah Aguilar, Director, Santa Barbara County Animal Services  LINKS: * Learn more about the 2026 Foster 50 Challenge and sign up [https://www.pedigreefoundation.org/foster50/] * Comprehensive Foster Recruitment Plan [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ip3lx-LARh1MNx6woMhq-iGafHV3gHF5/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107118349994460096903&rtpof=true&sd=true] * Fostering Connections: A Guide to Strengthening Volunteer & Foster Programs [https://www.pedigreefoundation.org/media/uploads/2025/02/PEDIGREE-Foundation-Fostering-Connections-Toolkit-FINAL.pdf] * Foster resource collections [https://university.maddiesfund.org/catalog#form_type=catalog-quick-filter&page=1&product_type[]=1135&sort_by=new_to_old&favorite_products=0&keywords=foster%20collection]  * How to pilot a program [https://39561995.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/39561995/Foundational%20Guides%20PDFs/Foundational%20Guide_Creating%20a%20Pilot%20Program.pdf] * Super charge your foster program with these 7 guiding principles [https://chewonthis.maddiesfund.org/2019/04/super-charge-your-foster-program-with-these-seven-guiding-principles/] (5 min. read)