Fostering Saves Lives!

We do not have a permanent facility and rely on our amazing foster homes to help as many dogs as we can.

If you are Auckland based (or close) and want to know more about how you can help us save dogs lives check out the information below!

When you foster a dog you save two lives; The dog you foster, and the one who takes its place.

Thank you so much for your interest in caring for our rescue dogs.

Fostering is hugely rewarding but it can be challenging. You may care for dogs with medical or behavioural issues, they could require some training and might be with you for several months before they’re adopted.

Given everything they’ve been through, we also like them to live and sleep indoors.

BUT if you have the time, energy and determination to help a dog who really needs it - we will support you every step of the way AND provide all of the essentials a dog could possibly need, including training, food, bedding, toys and vet costs.

We couldn’t do what we do without the support of amazing people like you. So, if you’re keen to take the next step, read our FAQs to find out more and apply to Foster.

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We’d love to hear from you.

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What our fosterers say

I have fostered with CDRRNZ for many years, the training, support, guidance and expertise has been top tier right from the start. It has been the most delicious and rewarding experience having fosters through our home, knowing our own dogs, and our family are setting them up to be successful in their forever homes. There is something so incredibly special about facilitating an environment for a dog to flourish, and Manda and her wonderful team provide the knowledge, time, and communication to make everything a pleasure to be a part of - even hard days don’t feel so hard when you have the best team out backing you every step of the way. I would highly recommend fostering for anyone who has the capacity - it has been so rewarding for both me, my personal dogs and my family to be a part of CDRRNZ.
- Penny

I have fostered with CDRRNZ for many years, the training, support, guidance and expertise has been top tier right from the start. It has been the most delicious and rewarding experience having fosters through our home, knowing our own dogs, and our family are setting them up to be successful in their forever homes.

There is something so incredibly special about facilitating an environment for a dog to flourish, and Manda and her wonderful team provide the knowledge, time, and communication to make everything a pleasure to be a part of - even hard days don’t feel so hard when you have the best team out backing you every step of the way.

I would highly recommend fostering for anyone who has the capacity - it has been so rewarding for both me, my personal dogs and my family to be a part of CDRRNZ.
- Penny

CDRRNZ filled a void that I didn't know existed. Initially I chose to do end of life rescue, mostly because I believe that every creature deserves to leave this earth with the lingering feeling of being loved. What I never expected was just how much I would learn along the way about life, forgiveness and trust. A little bit of love truly goes a long way. Love and boundaries that is ...to go all Brene Brown if you will.

Most of all I've learned what it means to be part of a community. I never feel alone in this. There is always a helping hand just a phone call away. I love it all! From the sausage sizzles, fundraising blitzers, office moves, driving relays across the country to make sure our dogs get to where they need to be.. The community posts bring tears and laughter sometimes both at the same time, especially as we share our stories.

It's really easy, you get to participate as much as you want or are able too. At the heart of it though, is the knowledge that you are saving a dog's life! You are helping them adjust to a different life, in ways that bring out the best in them and in preparation for their forever homes. Saying goodbye, is a sign of a job well-done. Their story etched in your heart while you prepare to welcome another.

- Elena

I started fostering at first because I missed having a dog in the house, but wasn’t sure I could take on the full time, long term commitment of my own dog.

Very quickly I realised that I had a lot to learn in about being the “responsible adult” in charge, rather than being one of a big family.

But the dogs and I learned together what was needed to get them into the right space and now after 2 years and 10 dogs, I realise what I provide is more rare than a family taking on a dog.

It’s a safe place for a dog to learn new rules, and confidence, and how to make the most of the rest of their lives.

It’s always sad to say goodbye, but I’m confident they are going into a good home, matched to their needs. I’ve learned so much, now when I choose to take on my own dog, I know I will be ready.
- Jamie

I can’t recommend fostering enough! It is incredibly rewarding and celebrating the small victories with your dog is the highlight of my day.

So many times our foster dog will do something new or brave or sweet and my husband and I will just look at each other beaming!

You are given everything, all the support and equipment you need. It is wonderful to be in a community with other passionate dog lovers.

I am so glad I made this decision and it is an honour to work with Chained Dogs

- Catherine

I have only just recently begun to foster dogs with CDRRNZ Having had mainly larger dogs of my own for many years, most of them re-homed as adult dogs, when I lost my latest dog unexpectedly after only a few years with her I decided that next time I would take on a puppy.

However with holiday plans on the horizon I thought we would wait a while. Our house without a dog felt so empty that it wasn’t long before I contacted chained dogs to enquire about fostering.

The support network right from the start was fantastic, and with appointments with vets and groomers organised around what would work for me and my schedule, it was made as easy as possible to become part of this awesome group of people.

The 3 dogs we have welcomed into our home so far each have their own challenges, but sharing our love and seeing them develop and learn to trust in a home environment is so rewarding.

Each little step something to celebrate on their road to being happy, healthy, and confident socialised dogs in their own forever homes.

- Judith

Fostering is helping your foster dog discover and navigate the outside world (most things will be the first time for them, a bit like Crocodile Dundee if you have seen it!). Falcor is a bit clingy, uncertain, over excitable (which has to be managed well or it can be carnage) but he is so loving and adorable.

People describe him as a bit ‘skittery', doggie daycare said he was like a loveable unruly toddler at first (!).

Fostering requires a bit of time and patience, a lot of love and understanding, (we did quite a bit of reading up on canine behaviour and rescue dogs) and training them on expected doggie behaviour in the outside world.

Seeing Falcor now happy, having fun and unchained, running freely, saying hello to other dogs without a care in the world has to be the most rewarding feeling.

Dogs truly are our best friend, you will have a loyal companion, chained dogs are also lots of fun and very loving, so why not give a chained dog a second chance at life and foster!
- Oona