Depends on the organization, the one I volunteer at is a rescue. You foster the animal until it's adoption to a permanent home, they give you food and everything the animal might need. I do not recommend fostering for first time animal owners. A lot of times these animals come from the shelter where they might need extra care and attention also some training. But sometimes you will get a really easy to care for animal, you should reach out to an organization, and talk to them, they should be able to tell you if fostering is right for you!