Foster & Adopt
Every adoption with us starts as a foster-to-adopt.
Adoptable Pitties
Abby
Belly-rub-loving 4-year-old girl who wants a family of her own
Meet Abby →Baya
fka Belle
Joyful 3-year-old Staffy girl who lives to wiggle on her back
Meet Baya →June Bug
Active, people-loving 1.5-year-old boy who plays hard and loves big
Meet June Bug →Muñeca
High-energy 4-year-old girl who needs hikes, walks and a backyard
Meet Muñeca →Rocky
95 lbs of hugs, kisses and “rooing” who thinks he’s a lap dog
Meet Rocky →Sancho
Senior sweetheart who loves giving kisses and prancing when he runs
Meet Sancho →📍 Who can foster or adopt
Foster-to-Adopt: available nationwide
Temporary, short-term and long-term fostering: California only
Out of state? Pre-approval by Miko’s Rescue Mission Inc. is required before applying.
How it works
- Fill out the Interest FormA quick form to tell us you’re interested. Not sure which dog? We will match you with a pitty! Interest Form
- Fill out the General ApplicationThe full foster / foster-to-adopt application. General Application
- Schedule a phone callBook a call with the Rescue Founder, Crystal Cassese: https://calendly.com/mikosrescuemission/phonecall
- Meet & GreetWe will arrange an initial “Meet & Greet” between our foster dog and your entire family, including all pets who live in the home (depending on circumstances).
- Your foster dog comes homeThen comes the decompression and adjustment period as everyone settles into a new routine with a new dog in the home, with our support the whole way.
🐾 Homes with other animals
IMPORTANT: If there are other animals in the home, we will REQUIRE you to completely separate our foster dog from all other animals for a pre-determined amount of time (in some cases, for the entire time you are fostering). This includes keeping our foster dog away from other animals in the home, on walks, at the park, on outings, etc.; in general keeping them away from all animals entirely at all times.
This is for SAFETY and to prevent any type of dog fights, attacks, or altercations from happening.
This is crucial during the decompression and adjustment period as everyone settles into a new routine with a new dog in the home and so we can continue learning more about our foster dog in a safe setting.
“Separate and Rotate” means keeping all dogs/animals 100% separated from each other at all times. You can keep each dog in a separate room or secured area, using physical barriers such as baby gates, playpen fencing, dog crates, and visual barriers such as furniture or a wall, and rotating one dog at a time to go outside or have free time while all other animals are secured out of physical reach or visibility.
Need guidance on how? We will provide anything you need to do this as well as offer guidance on where in your home to set up needed barriers. We will also provide you with in-person training support if desired, in addition to access to our certified trainers virtually, for successful integration in the home for all animals.
Life at Miko’s
Foster or adopt?
Choose one to see what it looks like with us.
Foster a pittie
Fostering saves lives. When you open your home to one of our pitbulls, you give a dog from a high-kill shelter a safe place to decompress, learn and show who they really are, and you free up a spot for us to save the next one.
Our foster parents give dogs a safe place to decompress and learn, and we support them with training through our Co-Parenting Prep Course.
Ways to foster
- Temporary Foster: Less than 1 WeekYou are required to keep the foster dog separated the entire time from any and all animals in the home AND while out on walks or outings.
- Short-Term Foster: 1 Week up to 3 MonthsWe may give approval on a case-by-case basis for a variation of Slow Introductions to happen depending on the specific circumstances.
- Long-Term Foster: 3+ Months (As long as it takes for the dog to get adopted)There will be a designated plan in place if/when it is time for Slow Introductions and Integration to begin. Please understand that this process can take several weeks, months, or longer.
- Foster-to-Adopt (Furever, a Permanent Home!)Every adoption starts with a 2-month foster-to-adopt period. We will arrange an initial “Meet & Greet” between our foster dog and your entire family, including all pets who live in the home (depending on circumstances). Available nationwide.
💚 What we provide
Miko's Rescue Mission covers all supplies and vet care during the foster period, and during the 2-month foster-to-adopt period when applicable.
Foster FAQ
Are supplies and vet care covered?
You will be reimbursed for approved expenses for your Foster Dog’s needs. This includes food, necessary supplies and veterinary care at a pre-approved partnered vet. All purchases must be approved beforehand, and a photo of the receipt must be sent (via text or email). Reimbursements are made on a Weekly or Monthly basis.
What training methods do you use?
We use LIMA-based training methods which include a combination of force-free, positive reinforcement, cooperative care, among other things. We NEVER use Prong Collars or E-Collars (Shock Collars). We may approve the use of a Slip Lead TEMPORARILY on a Foster Dog until we know more about their behavior, personality, and any potential issues (such as slipping out of a harness). You’ll have guidance from the Rescue, virtual training courses, and approved certified trainers.
What do I need at home?
While you are away from home, your Foster Dog stays in a properly enclosed Crate so they are 100% safe and secure, with a Security Camera (provided by the Rescue) set up to monitor them. Foster Dogs live indoors as if they were your own family pet, wear a collar with a name tag at all times, and stay leashed and collared at all times while outside. In some instances, we may also provide an Apple AirTag and/or a Fi GPS Collar for additional safety and security.
Can I take my foster dog to the dog park?
No. Foster Dogs 100% avoid dog parks, any areas that allow off-leash dogs, and overly crowded spaces with a lot of people and/or a lot of dogs, EVEN if your Foster Dog is “dog-friendly”.
Will I need to drive my foster dog anywhere?
Fosters transport their Foster Dog to vet visits, adoption events, and meet & greets as needed. These are scheduled around your schedule and needs. Please communicate to us if you’ll expect reimbursement for gas!
Do I need to take photos?
Yes! Fosters take photos and videos and send them to the rescue on a regular basis, and as requested, to help find placement for their Foster Dog. We’re happy to give guidance on how to take good quality photos/videos.
Adopt a pittie
Every adoption with us starts as a foster-to-adopt.
Foster-to-Adopt is available nationwide.
How adoption works
- Find a pittie you love and fill out our quick Interest Form. Ready to move forward? Fill out the General Application.
- We review your application and reach out to set up a meet & greet.
- Every adopter starts with a required foster-to-adopt period: 2 months for adult dogs, 3 months for puppies.
- When it’s a forever fit, we finalize the adoption and stay in touch.