Fostering is a commitment and each rescue screens foster applicants to ensure they will provide a safe haven for a dog they have rescued. Rescue Groups are looking for special loving homes that will provide not only food and shelter but also any training and socialization required to help make these dogs better companions. There are many reasons why a dog ends up needing a new home. Some were purchased on a whim by people that didn’t understand the temperament of the breed. Sometimes lifestyle changes such as job loss or divorce dictate giving up a pet. Other dogs lose their homes when their owners become too sick or elderly to provide the necessary care, when they enter an assisted-living facility, or when the owner passes away. Still others are given up by people who just no longer want them. Whatever the reason, dogs do come into rescue with some “baggage”. Some will require special care, such as medical attention, increasing weight or strength, socializing or building trust. They may be fearful or timid. They may be sad and pining for a beloved owner. They may have suffered cruelty or indifference.

Foster homes must become familiar with how to help dogs in transition adjust. Fostering can involve housetraining and/or crate training as well as introducing some basic obedience. Additionally, you may be asked to take the foster dog to scheduled veterinary appointments. (Rescues cover all veterinary expenses for their foster dogs.)

Fostering a dog is very much like the commitment when adopting a dog. Fostering is not always easy, and you will be expected to make every effort to work with a dog to help it overcome any issues it may have. Please remember, it may not always be practical or possible to move a dog to another foster home at a moment’s notice.

Here are some important things to consider before applying to be a foster home:

Do you have the time required? A rescued dog will need love and attention – and patience – so be prepared for the time commitment involved. If you have other pets, will they be accepting of the rescued dog? Some jealousy and ‘pack hierarchy’ behavior can almost always be expected – are you prepared to deal with this?

Do you have a safe place to keep the rescue separate from the other animals in your home if necessary? The dog may need an area where it can be quarantined from other pets for approx. a week in case it has any types of infections etc that may be passed to your own animals.  All of your own animals should be up to date on vaccinations (rabies, DHPP, bordatella), have monthly flea treatments, and get along well with other animals.

Do you agree with crate training?
You should be open to using a crate when you are not home or during the period of work on housetraining as dogs often will find the crate a secure spot. You need to be knowledable about how to properly use a crate.

Do you have a nice white carpet?
Be aware that the many of the dogs will not be housetrained and will require work in that area. They may soil on your carpets and other flooring so be prepared to clean up messes and possibly be willing to use a urine band etc.

Do you have children? Are your children respectful around pets? Some dogs are quite small and can easily be hurt by children who don’t know how to treat them, while others can be “over-enthusiastic” around small children, and are capable of knocking kids down while attempting to play. For the safety of both the dog and children rescues are very careful when placing any dog in a family with children and some do not place dogs in homes with small children.

Are you willing to accept a dog with some behavioural issues?
Some dogs have experienced emotional or physical trauma, while others have never received adequate socialization or training.

Are you willing to give up to a new owner a dog with which you create a strong bond? This is one of the most difficult aspects of being a foster caretaker, but it is inevitable. It takes a very special person to open their hearts to one of these dogs, to love and nurture them for a period of time, and then give them up when their new permanent home is found. There are usually some tears when your foster pet leaves but there is also an immense feeling of satisfaction. It is especially rewarding to get an update from the new home and hear them brag about the most wonderful dog in the whole world, and know that it was your love and care that helped to  make such a special pet.

Still ready to foster? We hope so!  “You may not be able to save every dog in the world, but to the one you save you are the world.”