The Joe Biden thread got me wondering

[sangria]

Who fosters dogs here? Can you tell me a bit about what it's like? 

We have an 11 year old dog and two kids ages 5 and 7. Would having a senior dog disqualify us? Should I just start with whatever local rescue is near me to see about potentially fostering?

[suburbanzookeeper]

We foster puppies and kittens because we're crazy.

For us we have a legit menagerie including 3 cats of our own, a small fuzzy pocket animal, and four dogs including two seniors (one with terminal cancer) along with two kids (9 & 5). I have fostered animals for 17 years. We foster for two rescues and our local animal shelter, depending on what's going with our schedule/lives and which one's needs we can meet best at the time.

I would start talking to a local rescue or animal shelter that "speaks" to you. Find out their wants/needs and what support they'll give - is it just food? vet? how long does the average foster family have their pet? are you expected to attend every adoption event? can you drop them off?

[redheadbaker]

I used to foster. Each shelter and rescue will have their own policies, including what you are monetarily responsible for vs them, whether you get to vet potential adopters, etc. One of my friends runs a rescue dedicated to senior dogs, so for her, you having one already wouldn't disqualify you.

I fostered kittens, an adult cat, and several dogs for a high-kill municipal shelter. All they basically required was that any potential foster meet my resident dogs first to make sure they got along.

[ESF]

I've never fostered but some rescues will allow people with senior dogs to foster. My neighbor is active in lab rescue, and he has continually provided a home for a foster lab for years, even when his own elderly lab was in her final years of life. He had all ages of labs too.

Fostering provides such a great service. I hope you are able to find an opportunity that works well for your family!

[aspentosh]

We have been fostering for almost two years. We have an almost 7yo daughter and an AmStaff that is around 4yo. We go through a local rescue that relies on fosters. We pay for food and toys but they will cover all vet expenses. We often do 1-5yo pit mixes because we love them and they always point out good options for us and steer us from ones that might not be good with kids or other dogs.

I don't think having a senior dog would disqualify you. They are often looking for fosters for senior dogs (kennels can be super hard on them!) if you wanted to go that route.

I'd probably start with local rescues and see what they say.

[konapoppy]

We have fostered. The kids are much more likely to disqualify you than the dog. Are you home most of the day? Some rescues only want fosters who will have someone home with the animals.

Fostering is great but can be a lot of work - meeting up with potential adopters, dogs not being house broken or scared, etc. We ended up adopting two of our fosters, so that is another potential side effect 🤣

[mrhanky]

I’ve been fostering dogs for 4 plus years almost continuously, with two foster fails along the way. I have 2 medium sized female dogs (aged 5 and 6 now) and two cats. I just lost my 13 year old Saint Bernard last week (😭😭), so I definitelybfostered with seniors (he was 10 when I adopted him).
The organization I foster through actually matches dogs with outvoc state rescues, so I foster the dog from anywhere from 2 days to 4 months while they get ready/find a rescue. They try to match up dogs based on what works best in your house, in terms of your family and other animals. I love it. They pay all vetting and will occasionally give me food (I only ask ask if they need specialty food). Based on adoption standards, some rescues may have more problems with your kids than your dog. Most people I know who foster have at least one senior. That said, I think most rescues would happily find a dog that would be a good foster fit. It’s really rewarding work for everyone.
(Sorry for typos. My phone is stupid)

[bowies]

doglove is an active foster and can answer questions. I think she fostered (fosters) with senior pups.

[LoveTrains]

I have fostered dogs before although I don’t have one right now. I volunteered with the local rescue where I adopted my beloved pug (I can’t believe he has been gone for two years).

I gave up fostering last year bc of my work situation but it was very rewarding. I had some short term fosters (a few weeks) and some long term (3+ months). I really wanted to keep my last foster but we couldn’t commit to having another dog at the time.

It can be hard to say good bye. Also all fosters have different needs which can be tough.

[CallingAllAngels]

I foster with a local rescue and I have a senior dog (an 8 year old St Bernard mix, he was our first foster and a foster fail) and a middle aged dog (about 6 years old), as well as two kids.

We have been fostering for just over a year. My senior dog can be cranky with other dogs (he just wants to be left alone), so we mostly foster puppies who are easier to keep self contained/separated from him. The rescue we work with basically lets volunteers determine what works best for them. You can do short term (covering for other fosters who are traveling), long term, foster to adoption, or foster to transport (we work with a lot of northern rescues to send animals up north where they don’t have as many dogs who need homes). I love fostering. Since we mostly foster puppies, it lets me get my puppy fix without committing to a 3rd dog who is just going to quickly outgrow the puppy stage. Since puppies are so much work, I’m usually ready to say goodbye by the time they are adopted, but it can be difficult.

[sangria]

So I work from home and I’m guessing that is good in terms of fostering. My senior dog is still pretty playful and usually very dog friendly. We are thinking we’d like to foster another senior-ish dog since I know they have a hard time. I’ve got a list I’m going to contact next week!

[suburbanzookeeper]

Nov 18, 2018 20:23:43 GMT -5 sangria said:

So I work from home and I’m guessing that is good in terms of fostering. My senior dog is still pretty playful and usually very dog friendly. We are thinking we’d like to foster another senior-ish dog since I know they have a hard time. I’ve got a list I’m going to contact next week!

I also work from home and "work from home" are typically fostering gold. Good luck! 

[yentl]

I have fostered a couple dogs and more cats than I can count. I fostered the dogs through my local humane society. I did apply as a foster for a rescue and they denied me because I didn't have foster experience with the specific breed they worked with.

I love fostering but nearly every animal I've fostered through this organization has had medical issues because they were nearly all strays for a bit. Usually it's no big deal but there was a ringworm scare that was super stressful. The shelter provides all the medical care, leashes I think and I provide food and fun. I've also gotten a dog groomed on my dime... made him about 1000 times more adoptable. The shelter does a great job advertising but I do talk up my fosters to friends and family. It's great because then I get to stay connected to the animals if someone I know adopts them.

Having experience with dogs is helpful, it won't disqualify you except from animals who don't do well with other dogs.