To have a successful foster experience you must have a good relationship with the rescue group you are working with and one of their goals should be to set you up with a "match". Search out a rescue group that takes on matching foster dogs with foster families as serious as they were following up on a adoptive home. Stay clear of groups that will toss any dog your way before getting to know you.
An experienced group will WANT to know about your environment/life, how many family members are living with you and if they will be helping or okay with the foster dog. They will want to know about the other animals you have (how many & what kind) - they will want to see if those animals will be accepting of another animal and go over options if they are not. They will want to know if you have the knowledge of fostering in general and for the specific breed you are choosing to bring into your home. An experienced rescue group will also want to know if you are willing and able to follow their guidelines for fostering one of their dogs and if you will be on point about communicating concerns that may come up during your journey with your new friend.
Make sure you ask the group you are going to foster for how they will aid in this foster experience.
-What will they supply to get you started? (crate, bowls, blankets, collar, leash etc. . .)
-Will they take care of the foster dogs medical/vet needs?
-Will they help you with obedience & home ready training?
-What will they do with the dog when/if your family goes on vacation? or has an emergency?
-How will they help you address issues that may arise?
-Will they be available for questions at any time regarding your foster dog?
And any other questions that you can think of that will help you enter this situation - confident.
Look for a group that will give you the support and guidance you will need during the entire time your foster dog is with you. This is a "group" effort and you should never feel as if you are taking this on by yourself . This journey you are about to begin is a huge responsibility that all parties need to take seriously (all parties = You, people in your home and people of the rescue you decide to go with).
Fostering is a fun and very rewarding experience. It may not be easy at first but you are learning and so is the dog you just saved. It may take a while to find the right family for your foster but the wait is so worth the while. Happy fostering everyone. 1 home = 1 life saved !!
This has some great info in it. I posted it to my wall in hoping that someone I was talking to will read it and maybe start fostering for a group in heir area. Thanks for posting this. It came at just the right time.
ReplyDeleteThank you Terry for reposting :)
ReplyDeleteWe have had some messages asking "how to get started fostering pit bulls" this is an in general post that covers all animals. Hope it does help.
And if you friend has further questions they are more then welcome to email us at modifiedk9@Hotmail.com (title email fostering) and we will help them in any way we can.