Fostering with animals: Pets, dogs and what you need to know

Fostering with animals: Pets, dogs and what you need to know

For many families considering fostering, a common question is: Can you be a foster carer if you already have pets, like dogs? The short answer is yes, in most cases having pets won’t stop you from fostering, and for many children, a friendly animal can be a source of comfort and companionship. But there are important safety considerations and legal rules to understand.

Why pets can be a positive in fostering

Having a pet, especially a dog, can be very beneficial for a child in care:

• Animals often help children feel calm and settled, especially when entering a new home.

• Caring for a dog can encourage children to develop empathy, responsibility, and trust.

• Many fostering agencies see pets as part of family life, provided they’re well cared for and safe around children.

That said, having a dog is considered during your fostering assessment, to make sure both the child and the pet will be happy and safe together. We would talk to you and observe your dog’s temperament as part of this process.

Legal rules: banned dog breeds in the UK

While most dogs are fine, some dog breeds are banned entirely under UK law, and owning one of these means you cannot be approved as a foster carer unless you can legally rehome the animal first. These bans are based on the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, which prohibits keeping certain types of dogs deemed dangerous to the public.

Dogs that are illegal to own in the UK:

If you live in Great Britain, you cannot legally own or foster children if you have these dogs:

• Pit Bull Terrier

• Japanese Tosa

• Dogo Argentino

• Fila Brasileiro

• American XL Bully

These breeds are banned because of safety concerns under the law, and owning one can result in it being seized if it’s identified by the police.

Sometimes we will flag other breeds for extra assessment, such as German Shepherds, Bulldogs, Dobermans and Rottweilers, not because they’re illegal, but because they’re considered higher-risk and may require a specialist behaviour assessment.

What we look for...

When you apply to be a foster carer with pets, we will:

✔ Assess the animal’s temperament around children and strangers.
✔ Check that the animal is healthy, vaccinated and well cared for.
✔ Consider whether the child might fear animals or have allergies.
✔ Evaluate how many pets you have (e.g., a large amount of dogs in one household).

The goal isn’t to discourage pet owners, it’s to make sure every child placed in your home feels safe and supported.

Pets and foster care

Yes, you can usually foster if you have dogs and other pets as long as they’re safe, manageable, and not on the banned list. We value the calming, supportive role pets can play in a child’s life and will work with you and your animal companions to make sure the match is right.

If you’re thinking about fostering and have pets, the best first step is to get in contact and we can explain how your pets fit into the assessment process and help you prepare.