Animal Foster Shortage Map

An interactive map showing foster home shortages across the United States. Find which regions need foster families most urgently and how your rescue can help expand foster capacity in your area.

The Foster Shortage Problem

Animal shelters and rescue organizations across the country are at or near capacity. The single largest constraint limiting how many animals can be saved is the number of available foster homes. Every foster home creates space for another animal in a shelter.

This map aggregates foster capacity data from rescue organizations using Pawtice to show where the need is greatest. If you can open your home — even temporarily — you are part of the solution.

How to Help

Apply to become a foster volunteer with a rescue in your area
Share this map with people in your community who might be interested in fostering
If you run a rescue, sign up for Pawtice to list your foster openings and reach more potential volunteers