Looking to volunteer this summer in the UAE?

Volunteering can look like this: you, a sofa, Netflix... and fostered furry friends catching zzz’s by your side.

Foster a dog from the comfort of your home

Each summer, as many residents leave the UAE to escape the heat, support for our shelter drops—and yet our needs grow. With fewer hands on site and adoption events slowing down, one way to truly make a difference stands out above the rest:

👉 Fostering a dog

At Stray Dogs Center, we care for nearly 1,500 rescued dogs. Every one of them deserves love, comfort, and a real chance at a forever home — and fostering plays a crucial role in making that happen.

Fostering IS volunteering — and it saves lives

In the summer months, many foster families travel, leaving countless dogs in need of temporary homes. Boarding facilities reach capacity, and dogs who had begun to flourish in a home may suddenly have nowhere to go. Even our shelter is full to the brim.

By opening your home temporarily, you’re not only providing comfort. You’re becoming part of the journey toward adoption and changing the life of that dog.

Fostering gives dogs:

• Stability and routine in a home setting

• A chance to learn house rules, socialization, and exposure to new environments

• A critical step in preparing them for a forever family

Fostering gives you:

• A fulfilling way to help from home – You're making a real difference without needing to commit long-term.

• The joy of companionship – Experience the love, fun, and routine a dog brings into your life.

• A meaningful way to volunteer – Especially during a time when other opportunities are limited.

• Good for kids and families – Teaches empathy, care, and responsibility in a hands-on way.

• A great introduction to dog ownership – Perfect if you're considering adopting in the future.

• It just feels good – Knowing you’re keeping a dog away from the heat and the stress of shelter life is deeply rewarding.

Whether you’re staying in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or other emirate — and not planning to travel — you can volunteer this summer simply by welcoming a dog into your home. Fill our foster form to get started!

A foster dog is also a great companion during the summer, when most people are away.

💛 Why fosters matter more than ever

Foster homes don’t just offer safety. They provide something we can’t get anywhere else: insight into who a dog really is.

Living in a home reveals things that can’t be seen at the shelter or boarding:

• Is the dog good with children or other pets?

• How do they handle being alone?

• Are they calm and cuddly or playful and energetic?

  
  

These are the questions adopters ask all the time — and fostering gives us the answers.

Fosters also provide photos, videos, and stories that help us create posts and to match each dog to the right home. Without that personal touch, so many wonderful dogs remain unseen.

🏠 Who can foster?

If you're staying in the UAE this summer and have some time and space at home, you're probably a great fit. Fill our foster form to let us know more about you.

✅ You can foster for as little as two weeks

✅ We provide a harness and leash, a starter pack of food and a bed if needed, vet care, and ongoing support 

✅ You provide love, comfort, and attention

Whether you’re a family, a working professional, or someone spending the summer locally, fostering is a powerful way to give back — and it truly makes a difference.

These 3 dogs are already thriving in foster — let’s keep it that way

These three doggies have already experienced the love and comfort of a home. Let’s not take that away from them.

Winnie urgently needs a temporary foster home

🌼 Winnie – The Gentle Soul

After years in the shelter and time in boarding, Winnie finally landed in a loving foster home — and she blossomed. Calm, affectionate, and perfectly house-trained, she’s around 6 years old and happiest lounging nearby or soaking up the sun. Let’s make sure this sweet girl continues to enjoy home life through the summer 💛

Andre puppy should grow up in a home, not a shelter

🎯 Andre – The Young Star

Andre is just a 6 months old puppy and doing wonderfully in foster — learning leash walking, socialising with other dogs, and getting used to being alone for short periods. He’s shy at first but incredibly sweet, and his quirky ears and striking coat turn heads wherever he goes. He deserves to keep learning and growing in a home, not a shelter 🐕

Poppy loves people so much she should get her cuddles every day

🌸 Poppy – Calm, cuddly, and easy

Poppy’s current foster says she’s a dream. She’s quiet, calm, and loves curling up for cuddles — happy just being near you. At around 4–5 years old, she’s fully vaccinated, spayed, and not much trouble at all. Her foster family is away for the summer, and she needs someone new to keep her safe and cozy 🛋️

👉 We’ve highlighted just three of our wonderful dogs — but there are many more who need your help this summer. If you're staying in the UAE and want a meaningful way to volunteer from home, apply to foster and let us match you with the perfect fit.

🙌 Can’t foster? There are other ways to help

• BOSTER: Sponsor a dog’s stay in boarding if you can’t foster

• Share this blog with friends/colleagues staying in the UAE this summer

• Support our work by donating or sponsoring a dog

• Spread the word to help us find adopters and loving homes

Every action counts — especially in summer when adoptions slow down.

✨ Be the reason a dog gets adopted

Dogs in foster care are far more likely to be adopted — not just because of the exposure, but because they’re more prepared for life in a home.

Even if they don’t find a home right away, fostering builds their confidence, improves their well-being, and helps them shine in ways we’d never see otherwise.

This summer, while others are away, you can change a life.

💬 Ready to get involved?

👉 Apply to foster now

 📧 Questions? Email us — we’d love to hear from you!

Read next:

Can't foster – then boster?

White dogs getting overlooked