Fosters & Paws began its journey as Sacramento Front Street Animal Shelter Advocates. In 2019, a shift in our Board composition opened the door to new opportunities, allowing us to re-evaluate our mission and vision. With this fresh perspective came a new name and revised goals that better align with our passion for rescuing animals in need.
Our primary focus is rescuing pregnant dogs from shelters across Northern California. These dogs often face uncertainty and limited options, but we make a promise to every mama who comes into our care: they will never have another litter, and they will forever be loved. Each mom is spayed to ensure she can live a healthy and carefree life. All of their puppies are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated to prepare them for happy, healthy futures in loving homes.
In 2020, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we pulled 14 moms into our care. This was just the beginning of an increasing need we’ve witnessed as more dogs end up in shelters. It’s not just the typical breeds like Chihuahuas and Pit Bulls; we’ve seen an influx of French Bulldogs with serious medical issues, Bulldogs in rough shape, and countless bottle-fed puppies being abandoned. The need for rescue has grown exponentially, and we’ve risen to the challenge year after year.
Our commitment to saving lives is reflected in our intake numbers over the years:
2020: 322 animals rescued
2021: 573 animals rescued
2022: 453 animals rescued
2023: 519 animals rescued
2024: 479 animals rescued
Each of these numbers represents a life saved, a story rewritten, and a family made whole. Through our dedicated team of fosters, volunteers, and supporters, we’ve been able to grow our impact and provide second chances to hundreds of animals.
Our mission is to rescue and rehabilitate vulnerable animals from shelters, providing them with the care and support they need to thrive in a forever home. We believe every dog deserves a second chance at happiness and are committed to finding loving families for each of the animals in our care. Through our rescue efforts and education programs, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of responsible pet ownership and the impact it has on the lives of animals. We strive to make a positive difference in the lives of both animals and people, creating a more compassionate and humane community for all.
At Fosters & Paws Rescue, our vision is a world where all animals are treated with respect and kindness. We're dedicated to saving animals and helping animals in need. Our mission, through rescue efforts, education programs, and advocacy work, is to create a more compassionate and humane society. We believe in a future where shelters are no longer necessary because all animals have responsible and caring owners, and where animal cruelty and neglect are a thing of the past. Together, we work towards a world where every animal has the opportunity to live happy and healthy lives in loving homes. Join us in our mission to make this vision a reality.
Our Values:
Compassion: We believe in treating all animals with kindness, empathy, and understanding, and strive to create a safe and nurturing environment for them to heal and thrive.
Responsibility: We are committed to responsible pet ownership and believe that all animals deserve to be treated with respect and care.
Respect: We value and respect the individuality of each animal in our care, and strive to meet their physical, emotional, and behavioral needs.
Integrity: We are transparent and honest in all of our actions and decision-making, and hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards.
Collaboration: We believe in the power of collaboration and partnership, and work with other animal welfare organizations, volunteers, and community members to achieve our shared goals.
Each month, Fosters & Paws finds itself struggling to make ends meet, running at a deficit of approximately $3000. This financial shortfall affects every aspect of our work, from covering medical bills and providing food to ensuring safe and comfortable housing for the animals in our care. Without additional support, it becomes increasingly challenging to respond to urgent rescue situations or take in animals that require extensive medical attention.
Our goal for this year is to secure property for a sanctuary, a dream that would provide a permanent safe haven for animals in need. This sanctuary will not only serve as a refuge for dogs but will also create a welcoming, home-like environment where they can heal, thrive, and feel loved. By achieving this goal, we can expand our capacity to rescue more animals and provide them with the care and stability they deserve.
Additionally, we are dedicated to addressing the spaying and neutering needs of our community's pets. Overpopulation is a significant contributor to the number of animals in shelters, and by promoting responsible pet ownership through these essential services, we can help reduce the cycle of abandonment and neglect.
We cannot accomplish these goals without the support of our community. Your donations, whether large or small, directly impact our ability to save lives. Volunteering your time, becoming a foster, or spreading the word about our mission are equally invaluable ways to help. Every contribution brings us closer to a future where every animal is safe, loved, and cared for.
Please consider joining us in our mission to provide hope and care for those who need it most. Together, we can ensure that every mama, every puppy, and every animal in our care experiences the love and stability they deserve.
As we look to the future, our mission remains the same: to save as many dogs as possible and ensure that every animal in our care experiences the love and stability they deserve. Together, we can continue making a difference, one mama, one puppy, and one life at a time.
At Fosters & Paws, we are firmly committed to fostering a culture of equity, inclusivity, and social justice in all aspects of our organization. We recognize that every living being, regardless of breed, background, or circumstance, deserves equal access to care, support, and a chance for a better life. Our mission to rescue, nurture, and rehome animals is grounded in the principle of equity, where we strive to ensure that each individual receives the care and opportunities they need to thrive, irrespective of their history or challenges.
We are dedicated to providing equal opportunities for our animals, as well as our volunteers, staff, and supporters. We actively seek to create an inclusive environment that values diversity and respects the unique contributions and perspectives of each member of our community. We are committed to addressing and dismantling any systemic inequities that may exist within our organization and the animal welfare industry as a whole.
Fosters & Paws is dedicated to continuous learning, self-reflection, and ongoing improvement in our journey toward equity. We acknowledge that the work of promoting equity is an ongoing process and, as an organization, we are committed to evolving, adapting, and striving for a more just and compassionate world for animals and the people who care for them.
Our equity commitment is reflected in our daily actions, policies, and decision-making processes, ensuring that we provide an inclusive and supportive space for all animals and individuals involved in our mission. We hold ourselves accountable to this commitment and welcome feedback and dialogue from our community to help us achieve our shared vision of a more equitable and compassionate world for animals.
View our current participation opportunities.
In-Person Volunteering
Adoption Events
Pet Food Express
Ongoing opportunity
Organization name
Fosters & Paws
other names
F&P
2013
Tax id (EIN)
46-0552423
Mission Category
Animal Related
Operating Budget
$250,001-$500,000
Organization Need
Funding: Program, Funding: Unrestricted, In-Kind Donations, Other, Funding: Other
Demographics Served
Animals
Local Counties Served
El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento
Address
PO Box 189571Sacramento, CA, US
Elk Grove, CA, US
San Francisco, CA, US