Dog fostering?

[Bernadine]

What have your experiences been? Our application was just approved, and were waiting to be matched.

[lightbulbsun]

I run a dog foster/adoption program and have fostered myself, so I can give you that perspective.

I try to keep in good contact with all of my fosters, and I make myself available to contact. I usually send a couple of check up texts every week to see how everyone is doing.

If a dog has a medical issue, we pay all vet expenses, although it's up to the foster to take them to appointments. We expect that the foster will be doing basic training, like house training and basic commands. If the dog needs more extensive behavior training, we pay for training classes.

My program requires each dog going into foster to have a two week decompression period before we list them for adoption. Being at the shelter can be really stressful, and it takes a while for them to feel comfortable in a home. Also, the foster can get a good idea of the dog's personality, which means we can get a better idea of what type of forever home to look for.

[lightbulbsun]

Do you currently have other dogs?

[Bernadine]

Aug 13, 2019 9:27:42 GMT -5 lightbulbsun said:

Do you currently have other dogs?

Yes, we have an 11 yo schipperke. He does ok with other dogs, he’s pretty submissive.

We do have two cats who will need a slow introduction.

[lightbulbsun]

Aug 13, 2019 9:41:47 GMT -5 Bernadine said:

Aug 13, 2019 9:27:42 GMT -5 lightbulbsun said:

Do you currently have other dogs?

Yes, we have an 11 yo schipperke. He does ok with other dogs, he’s pretty submissive.

We do have two cats who will need a slow introduction.

Ok, as long as you know how to do a slow introduction.  A lot of our foster issues happen when people think they can just put the dog in their house and everything will be great immediately (even though we always explain slow intros).  

Also, take a ton of pictures and video to send to the rescue.  I'd rather have a foster send me daily pictures than have to beg them to get two grainy pictures for the listing.  And videos get way more interest on petfinder, even short 15 second ones.