For anyone who likes to bake, dropping off cookies or muffins or things like that at your vets office or at a rescue can make bad days much better. I work in animal welfare and the stuff those people do, sometimes for quite frankly insulting pay, is astounding.

Nope. The shelters know their dogs. Most dogs that are fostered are ones that have been through a behavioral assessment and are totally fine. They just need a place to go. I trained an Anatolian Shepherd who was terrible in the shelter because his breed was a guardian and being surrounded by "predators" had him on high alert at all times. I fostered him for a few weeks and he was the sweetest loaf. He was adopted shortly thereafter.

Another answer to your concern would be the short-term fostering. The shelter isn't going to put you with a dog that has big issues, but if you're still unsure, ask to take a dog out for a trip to Starbucks for a pup cup, or a walk around a new park. You can gradually work your way up with a longer field trip, then a sleepover, and then a weekend foster. Just take it at your own pace and know that you have an entire shelter there as support should you need it.

No dog is perfect. They all have their own personalities and quirks. The best trained golden retriever has likely destroyed a shoe or went counter surfing a time or two. The brilliant thing about these kinds of fosters is that you get to know this awesome new friend without having to commit yourself to months or years. When the dog returns, you can let the staff know some of those quirks and they can work on them with the pup to help make them more adoptable.

If anyone really wants to help but can't donate, consider fostering a dog from a shelter. Damn near every shelter is overwhelmed right now, and opening even one space at a rescue means that another dog can be saved. It doesn't have to be for months, either. A shelter near me does weekend fostering, as well as 2 week fostering. It helps the dogs in a number of ways, one of the most important being that the foster becomes that dog's advocate. All costs are provided for, all you need is a place for the dog to chill, and some time to give them loves and walks.

If you're worried that it will be emotionally difficult, then even just taking a dog out for a field trip or to chill at your house for the day while you work is an amazing way to help the dog, the rescue, and increase chances of adoptions. A snoozing senior pup on a couch will get more attention than a picture through the gate of a kennel. Plus, there's been studies that show a decrease in stress in dogs who went on sleepovers or went on doggy dates, so even when the dog goes back to their kennel, they're less stressed, they sleep better, and they're more calm.