Fostering means opening your home temporarily to a Bernese Mountain Dog in need while they recover, decompress, and prepare for adoption. NBMDRN covers rescue-approved medical care, while you provide a safe environment, patience, and love.

We do our best to match foster families with dogs that fit their experience, home environment, and lifestyle. Foster placements are a collaborative decision between you and our foster team, always with the dog’s best interests in mind.

It happens often! Foster families are given the opportunity to adopt their foster dog if it’s a great fit. While we jokingly call it a “foster fail”, it’s truly one of the best outcomes — a foster home becoming a forever home.

A physical fence is required for some dogs, depending on their individual needs and background. Many dogs in our care come from traumatic or unsafe situations, making security and containment especially important.

Invisible or electric fencing is not permitted for many of our dogs. Dogs with a history of neglect, abuse, or fearfulness may react negatively to these systems, which can increase anxiety or cause setbacks. For this reason, dogs with certain backgrounds cannot be fostered or adopted into homes using invisible fencing or shock collars of any kind.

Our highest priority is always the safety, comfort, and well-being of our dogs.

Yes! We welcome foster applicants and onboard foster families as quickly as possible so they are ready when a dog needs a temporary home.

Fostering is a wonderful way to get to know a dog and see if they’re the right fit for your family. If you fall in love, you’ll have the first opportunity to adopt your foster dog.

Please note: once a dog is adoption-ready and listed as available for adoption, they have already completed foster care and are no longer available for fostering.

No. While experience with large breeds can be helpful, it is not required. We provide guidance and ongoing support.

Many fosters have dogs, cats, or other animals. Compatibility depends on the individual dog, and we’ll work with you to ensure safe introductions.

You’ll be assigned a volunteer caseworker who is available by text or phone to support you throughout the foster experience.