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Foster a dog & save a life.
Fostering is one of the most rewarding ways to help a Bali street dog. When you open your home, you give a recovering dog a place to heal, to learn to trust again, and to discover what it means to be safe — while we cover the vet bills, the vaccinations and the care.
To ensure the best match for you and the dog, please complete a foster application first, then book an appointment.
Before you apply
A roof, a bowl, a second chance.
Fostering is the bridge between the streets and a forever home. When you foster a GAIA dog, you give a recovering animal a place to heal, to trust again, and to learn what it means to be safe — while we cover the vet bills, the food and the rest.
You do not need experience. You need patience, and a quiet corner of Bali to share. By taking a recovering dog out of the sanctuary environment, their immune system grows stronger, their social skills improve, and the love they give you is unconditional.
All medical decisions and vet visits must be approved by GAIA in advance — unless it is an emergency, in which case contact us as soon as you can.
Terms and conditions
- 25+ years of age
- Government-issued photo ID
- Written permission from your landlord if you rent
- A fully fenced and secure yard
- No kosts or guesthouses
- No cages, no chains, no free roaming
- Rabies pre-vaccination recommended for carers
- GAIA approves all medical and vet visits in advance
By appointment only
How fostering works.
To give you and the dogs the best possible match, complete a foster application first, then book a time to visit us.
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Foster application
Tell us about your home, your household, and the other animals who live with you — so we can find the dog who will thrive with you.
Foster application02
Book an appointment
Once we receive your application, message us on Instagram to book a time to visit the sanctuary and meet your foster dog.
Message us on Instagram03
Welcome them home
GAIA covers vet care, vaccinations and a food starter pack. You provide a safe, fenced space, patience, and kind, consistent treatment.
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Prepare them for adoption
Help your foster dog heal, socialise and trust. When they are ready, we begin their adoption — in Bali or overseas — together.
A home, not a cage.
A foster carer is a dog's guardian for a time — not their owner. You provide a fully fenced, secure yard, kind treatment, and no cages, chains or free roaming. GAIA ensures every dog is healthy or on a successful treatment plan before they come to you, and we provide all the support and medical care your foster dog needs.
- Foster dogs are strictly not allowed off lead whilst in your care or in public.
- They keep their name until they are officially adopted.
- If you go away on a trip, you can't just hand them to friends — notify the GAIA team and the appointed staff member you liaise with first.
Questions
Questions about fostering
Who can foster?
Foster carers are pre-approved by the GAIA team once you complete the foster form — it's not just anyone. You'll need space, and a patient heart for helping a dog learn "normal" life and living. You are a key member of the team, and you give these dogs a great chance of being adopted — helping them train, potty train, walk, and learn basic commands.
How is fostering different from adopting?
You're the stepping stone that gives them a chance at getting adopted. People love a trained dog, and it makes life that little bit easier. So if you can help with training, commands, walking and exposure to different environments — but can't commit to adopting and still want to make an impact — then this is for you.
What does GAIA provide?
We provide as much as possible with what we have available — but if you're able to supply the food and meals (we help you know what to do), crate, beds, lead and collars where you can, it makes a difference.
Do I need to train my foster dog?
Yes — it gives our dogs a great advantage. Training, basic commands, potty training and lead walking are what make a dog far more adoptable: people love a trained dog, and it makes life that little bit easier for their new family. Patience and short, gentle sessions work best — and it's exactly the kind of help that makes you a key member of the team.
Can I walk my foster dog in public?
Yes — as long as they have had their 2 vaccinations. They must be kept on the lead at all times, as a reminder that they're not your dog: the dog belongs to GAIA until they are officially adopted.
What about rabies?
Your foster dog will have all their vaccines, so they're protected. Just be mindful of the dogs you let approach and play with them — stick to dogs you know are healthy and vaccinated.
Foster carers doing great things
Some of our dogs being fostered at the moment
#adoptdontshop
Moo
Black and white
She's learning the basics as we speak — playful with other dogs and seeing the bigger, wider world out here.
Adopt me
Brew
Chocolate brown
Great on a bike, trained on and off leash, can sit on command. Working progress with potty training but doing great. Awesome with other dogs and children — no interest in cats. An absolute showstopper — adopt Brew!
Adopt me
Mirage
Tan
She is thriving. An absolute natural on the lead, and great in her crate for timeouts.
Adopt me