All About Fostering...
Foster homes are the MOST ESSENTIAL part of our rescue. Without foster homes, we would not be able to rescue more dogs. We are always looking for new foster homes for current and future rescues!
What does fostering a dog involve?
Everything a responsible dog owner would do! Foster parents are responsible for feeding and providing water, exercising, socializing, and giving medication (when necessary) to your new furry friend. We request that fosters give us honest assessments of their dog's behavior and personality. If guidance is needed on basic training or behavior modification we have other volunteers with years of experience to help. Fosters also take an active role in adoptions. Be prepared to do Meet & Greets/adoptions and trips to the vet if necessary.
When you foster, you agree to take a homeless dog into your home and give him or her love, care and attention, either for a predetermined period of time or until the dog is adopted. This means that sometimes you are on standby, but we need people to be available to take a dog at a moments notice as sometimes that is all the notice we get.
Why do adoption groups need foster homes?
There are many reasons a dog might need foster care. Some of the most common include:
- A rescue group doesn’t have a physical shelter and depends on foster homes to care for dogs until suitable homes are found.
- A puppy is too young to be adopted and needs a safe place to stay until he or she is old enough to go to a forever home.
- A dog is recovering from surgery, illness or injury and needs a safe place to recuperate.
- A dog is showing signs of stress such as pacing or hiding in the shelter.
- A dog has not lived in a home before or has not had much contact with people and needs to be socialized.
- The shelter is running out of room for adoptable dogs.
Why should I foster a dog?
Taking a scared and confused animal out of the shelter or off the streets and into a loving, private home gives them the opportunity to relax, recover and become the best version of themselves before adoption. Fostering dogs that do not repoind well to being in a shelter greatly increases their chance of adoption and avoids unnecessary euthanization. By volunteering your time, energy and patience as a foster parent, you can help put a dog on the path towards a long and happy life in their forever home. Fostering a dog is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have (other than adopting, of course). By taking an animal in need temporarily into your home you’re:
- freeing up a spot so the shelter or rescue can take in another dog.
- giving your foster dog the time he needs to be ready for adoption.
- helping the shelter or rescue learn more about the dog so he can end up in the best home possible.
- socializing the dog to a home environment and possibly getting him used to being around other pets and different types of people.
​How long does fosterering last?
This is a hard question to answer as sometimes dogs get adopted quickly while others take a while to catch the eye of their future adopter. Generally you can expect to foster for anywhere from 2 weeks to a mnoth, but it may be longer. We ask that foster parents commit to their foster dog until they are adopted at it can be stressful for a dog to move from home to home. However, with adequate notice we will of course arrange alternative foster care if your circumstance do not allow you to continue caring for the dog.
What if I want to adopt my foster?
If you decide to adopt your foster, fantastic! We love it when this happens! All adopters, INCLUDING CURRENT FOSTERS MUST filll out and adoption application, sign an agreement and pay the appropriate adoption fee for their dog.
How do I sign up to foster a dog?
You can find the application to foster on the menu bar. If you are approved, we will work with you to figure out the right foster dog for your household.