March 2018 by Kristen Auerbach

Audience: Executive Leadership, Foster Caregivers, Shelter/Rescue Staff & Volunteers

Video Length: 60 Minutes

Whether you're looking to start a foster program at your shelter or give a boost to an already-existing foster program, Maddie's Fund has a webcast series for you! We're going all-in on foster care, including programs that have worked to get more dogs and cats adopted in communities across the country. You'll have the chance to learn from your peers in other organizations, get your questions answered, and start saving more lives. View the complete series here, and sign up today!

Medium and large adult dogs remain one of the groups most at-risk of euthanasia in animal shelters. Foster programs, which used to be geared at puppies, kittens and pets recovering from illness or injury, are now expanding to serve healthy adult dogs as well.

On Thursday, March 15, 2018, at 9 PM Eastern, Kristen Auerbach, Director of Animal Services at Pima Animal Care Center in Tucson, Arizona, will present a free Maddie's Fund webcast, Adult Dog Fostering.

The presentation will include:

  • Finding the right foster caregivers
  • Training fosters
  • Selecting dogs for foster placement
  • Getting dogs adopted into permanent homes
  • And more!


This course have/has been pre-approved for Certified Animal Welfare Administrator continuing education credits.

Whether you're considering starting an adult dog foster program or you need help troubleshooting an existing program, this webcast will teach you the ins and outs of running a successful, high-volume adult dog foster program.

The presentation will last for 60 minutes, including an opportunity for Q&A.

Bio photo of Kristen Auerbach, smiling in a pink shirt against a corrugated metal background

About the Presenter

Kristen Auerbach
Director of Animal Services, Pima Animal Care Center

Kristen is the Director of Animal Services for Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) in Tucson, Arizona. PACC saved a raw 85% of the nearly 20,000 pets who entered the shelter in 2016. Among PACC's nationally-recognized programs are the Pet Support Call Center, which in its first six months, reduced owner surrenders by 30%.

Kristen previously served as the Deputy Chief at the Austin Animal Center, in Austin, Texas. Austin Animal Center is a national leader in No Kill animal sheltering, saving 96% of the 18,000 pets who come through its doors each year. Since 2011, Austin has been the largest No Kill city in America. Before that, Kristen was the Assistant Director at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, in Fairfax, Virginia, where she helped overturn pit bull adoption restrictions and cut euthanasia in half, bring Fairfax County to No Kill status. In these two organizations, Kristen implemented dog play groups, comprehensive enrichment programs and lifesaving foster programs for all animals.

Kristen created and managed the adult dog foster apprenticeship held at Austin Animal Center. More than 70 students from around the country have attended, learning how to save more adult dogs through foster care.

Kristen writes and presents nationally on a variety of subjects including breed labeling, reducing shelter intake, innovative foster-based solutions, social media for No Kill animal sheltering and providing enrichment for shelter pets. Her efforts have been featured in Animal Sheltering Magazine, the Huffington Post, the Dodo, Buzzfeed, and Barkpost, as well as on CNN, Fox national news and ABC.

In addition to being the Director at PACC, Kristen, in partnership with Maddie's Fund, is leading a study to assess the impact of foster homes for medium and large adult dogs.