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Forever Kuddles Fosters

Every Rescue Starts with a Kuddle

About Us

Family-led rescue rooted in compassion

Forever Kuddles Fosters is a home-based, foster-driven rescue focused on vulnerable puppies who need extra care before adoption. Claudia and her family are dedicated to finding each puppy a forever home.

Forever Kuddles Fosters logo
Claudia Altman, founder of Forever Kuddles Fosters, smiling while holding a small white puppy in a studio portrait

Founder

Meet Claudia Altman

Claudia Altman is the founder of Forever Kuddles Fosters, a foster-based dog rescue dedicated to giving vulnerable puppies a second chance at life. Her journey into rescue began over 15 years ago when she took in a litter of orphaned puppies who had lost their mother. What started as an act of compassion quickly became a lifelong calling. Claudia carefully nurtured each puppy and placed them into loving homes, discovering along the way the profound impact of fostering.

Our mission is to be the bridge between rescue and forever homes, where every rescue truly starts with a Kuddle.

Who we are

A small rescue with a big heart for fragile puppies

Forever Kuddles Fosters is a foster-based puppy rescue serving the Chicagoland area. We focus on saving puppies who have been abandoned, orphaned, or are at risk in high-kill shelters across the South. Many of our rescues are too young or fragile to be adopted right away, so we provide loving care, a safe environment, and veterinary support to help them grow strong and healthy.

  • Chicagoland roots with partners across the South—where so many vulnerable litters need a safe next step.
  • Veterinary support and daily in-home care until each puppy is strong enough for a forever family.
Two small terrier puppies resting together on a soft blanket

Our story

How Forever Kuddles came to be

After saving her first litter of puppies, Claudia spent years volunteering in local shelters, where she continued to advocate for animals in need. After fostering dozens of dogs and witnessing firsthand the life-saving power of a foster network, she was inspired to create her own rescue—one centered on providing safe, loving temporary homes for dogs who might otherwise never get the chance to thrive.

The name Forever Kuddles Fosters holds deep personal meaning. Claudia's family's first dog, Kuddles, was named by her then four-year-old daughter, who insisted his name be spelled with a "K" because he was a boy. Kuddles lived a long, joyful life filled with love and companionship, leaving a lasting imprint on Claudia and her family. He was the beginning of Claudia's deep connection to animals and ultimately the inspiration behind her commitment to rescue work.

Today, Claudia continues to lead with heart, ensuring that every dog who comes through Forever Kuddles Fosters is given the care, dignity, and love they deserve—until they find their forever home.

“This is more than rescue work. This is family, heart, and forever love.”

— Claudia

What we stand for

The principles behind every placement

We are not trying to be the biggest rescue—we are trying to be the one that shows up with consistency, honesty, and care.

Home-based care

Puppies grow up in real homes—not kennels—so they learn trust, routine, and gentle socialization before adoption.

Family at the center

Forever Kuddles is a family effort: everyone pitches in so each puppy gets patience, attention, and love.

Support that lasts

We stay in adopters’ corners with guidance on health and training because a forever home should feel confident, not alone.

From an adopter family

Her care does not stop after adoption. She still checks in and supports families with training and health guidance because she wants every dog to thrive.

Cooper's family

Support a family-run rescue mission

Forever Kuddles Fosters is built on hands-on care, trust, and long-term support for every puppy and adopter.