A new study has found that even a single week in foster care can deliver meaningful welfare benefits for dogs living in animal shelters, including lower stress levels and increased rest. The research also suggests that co-housing dogs with a familiar companion when they return to the shelter can further support positive welfare outcomes.
The study, The implications of weeklong fostering and co-housing on shelter dog welfare, explored how temporary time away from the shelter environment, and different housing arrangements on return, affect dogs’ physiological stress and activity levels.
Inside the study
Researchers followed 84 shelter dogs across two different shelters, one open-admission and one managed-admission. Dogs were monitored over a 17-day period that included:
- Five days in the shelter before fostering
- Seven days in a caregiver’s home
- Five days back in the shelter after foster care
Stress was assessed using urinary cortisol levels, while dogs’ behaviour and rest patterns were measured using activity monitors worn throughout the study.
At one shelter, a smaller sub-study also examined the effects of co-housing, comparing dogs housed alone with those living alongside another dog, either familiar or unfamiliar, before and after foster care.
Key findings
Across both shelters, dogs experienced significantly lower cortisol levels and spent more time resting during the week spent in foster homes, indicating reduced stress and improved welfare. These benefits were greater than those previously reported for shorter foster stays.
Importantly, the welfare improvements did not disappear once dogs returned to the shelter. With one exception, cortisol and activity levels after foster care were similar to pre-fostering values, suggesting that dogs did not experience a rebound increase in stress.
When housing arrangements were considered, co-housing did not affect cortisol levels before or after fostering. However, dogs that were housed with a familiar dog after returning to the shelter rested more and showed less high-intensity activity, a pattern consistent with improved welfare.
Why this matters
Shelter environments are known to present multiple stressors for dogs, including noise, confinement and social isolation. This study provides strong evidence that week-long fostering programmes can act as an effective welfare intervention, offering dogs a meaningful break from these pressures.
The findings also highlight the potential value of keeping dogs with familiar companions when possible, particularly following foster care, as part of evidence-based shelter management strategies.
While the authors note that differences between shelters suggest environmental factors still play a significant role in canine welfare, the study clearly demonstrates that temporary foster care and thoughtful housing decisions can make a measurable difference to the lives of shelter dogs.
