If you love dogs but aren’t sure you’re committed to becoming an owner long-term, there’s an option that allows you to save your dog’s life while you explore.
Most dog rescue centers in Middle Tennessee are looking for humans for temporary placements, anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Shelters use foster care to free up space during busy seasons and provide ongoing medical care for dogs who may need it.
Shelters typically provide foster families with food, bowls, dog beds, leashes, any needed medications, and crates.
Those who want to provide foster care services usually must fill out an application online. Some shelters require orientation programs or other training.
Gumdrop, director of Sarah and Kyle Crossland in East Nashville, keeps busy holding a spike ball during an interview with The Tennessean on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, at Wags & Walks Adoption Center in Hermitage, Tennessee.
Below is a list of some agencies in Middle Tennessee seeking people to foster dogs.
Nashville Humane Society
213 Osceola Avenue, Nashville, 615-352-1010
Nashville Humane requires foster carers to be at least 18 years old and live within 30 minutes of the facility. Application form must be completed.
More information:NashvilleHumane.org
question? Email foster@nashvillehumane.org.
swing and walk
100 Bonnabrook Dr., Hermitage, 615-880-6530
Foster carers must be 21 years of age or older, and Wag & Walks requires approved foster carers to submit an application and undergo training.
More information:wagsandwalks.org
Leann Beckham holds a puppy named Yannick Weber, named after the Nashville Predators defender. Beckham adopted the dog on Saturday, August 25, 2018, at the Mars Pet Care Weekend Adoption Event hosted by the Nashville Humane Society.
Metro Animal Care and Control
5125 Harding Place, Nashville, 615-862-7928
The Nashville government-run agency requires foster carers to be 18 years or older and complete an application.
More information:nashville.gov
Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue
Nashville, www.proverbs1210rescue.org
More information: Email DogFoster@proverbs1210rescue.org
Williamson County Animal Center
1006 Grigsby Hayes Court, Franklin, 615-790-5590
The county-run facility requires potential foster carers to fill out an application.
More information: Powered by WAC.org
Rutherford County Pet Adoption and Welfare Services (PAWS)
285 John R Rice Blvd., Murfreesboro, 615-898-7740
Available to Rutherford County residents only, foster carer must be 18 years or older. All foster placements are for a minimum of two weeks.
More information: rutherford county tn.gov
Sarah and Kyle Crossland Gumdrop of East Nashville paws at the window during an interview with The Tennessean at Wags & Walks Adoption Center in Hermitage, Tenn., on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025.
Cheatham County Animal Control Center
2797 Sam’s Creek Road, Pegram, 615-792-3647
for reference:ccactn.org
Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary
765 Nonaville Road, Mount Juliet, 615-314-5565
This rescue is looking for “Old Man Keepers” to adopt senior dogs for the rest of their lives. The sanctuary requires fosters to live within 100 miles of Mount Juliet and provides free veterinary care for the dogs’ lifetimes.
More information: ofsds.org
Tennessee Dachshund Rescue
South Willow Avenue, Cookeville, tndachshundrescue@gmail.com.
More information: tndachshundrescue.com
This article was originally published in Nashville, TN: List of Some Animal Shelters to Find Dog Boarding
