Fostering for DCDR
Jake is a perfect example of why fostering is so important. (Click image to enlarge)
Fostering rescue animals is a very rewarding experience, and having a safe place to go to is the difference between life or death for most of our dogs. Opening your home to a DCDR dog literally helps us save more lives.
Many people have questions about how fostering works and its purpose. Below we attempt to answer some of the most common questions a potential foster parent may have.
Why are fosters needed? The answer to this question has many parts. First, there are many risks associated with an animal staying in a shelter. When an animal is in a shelter, he or she is more likely to become ill (due to the number of animals in close quarters). Also, long-term shelter residents often find the shelter environment stressful and can become depressed, anxious, or fearful. Moving animals into private homes allows them to relax and blossom, as well as learn how to become good "house dogs" through training and socialization, increasing the chances for adoption. In medical cases, fostering allows the animal to receive treatment or recover in a quiet, stress-free environment. With fostering, everyone benefits: The foster gets to spend time with a special dog, and the kennel gains space, which will most likely save another dog's life. The foster dog gets a second chance at becoming a cherished pet. The new owners get a dog that is better adapted to home life, and therefore has a better chance of remaining in the new home permanently.
What does a foster parent do? As a foster parent, you allow an animal to live in your home until he or she is adopted or transported to rescue. Aside from regular day-to-day care (feeding, grooming, and exercise), the responsibilities of a foster home may include basic training (housetraining, walking on leash, sit, down); behavior modification (to correct problems such as jumping, mouthing, barking, destructive chewing); socialization and temperament evaluation to determine whether the dog is good with different types of people, children, and other animals; medical care such as dispensing medication or taking the dog to vet appointments; and, of course, plenty of playtime and snuggling.
Who pays the foster animal's expenses? We cover all veterinary expenses for your foster dog. You will pay for the day-to-day expenses such as food and normal supplies. We may be able to assist with items such as crates, food bowls, leashes, etc., if donated items are available, but this is not guaranteed.
Can I use my own veterinarian/Do I have to use DCDR vets? DCDR works with several vets who not only charge a special rescue rate, but also have a great deal of experience with rescue dogs/former shelter dogs and the medical challenges common to them. DCDR prefers to use those vets for all treatment. If getting a dog to those vets is a hardship for a foster, and if DCDR is familiar with the foster's personal vet, we may willing to work with the foster for non-major issues but cannot guarantee this. We may also be able to assist with transportation to vet appointments with our own preferred vets.
Who handles the animal's adoption? We do. We will promote the animal on Petfinder.com and through any other avenue available, screen potential adopters, and arrange home visits and meetings between your foster and potential adopters; however, as a foster parent, you can choose to take an active role in the adoption of your dog. You can take your foster to approved adoption events and promote your foster online. You can also contact any applicants, check references, and participate in the home visit yourself. At minimum, you would need to make the animal available for potential adopters to meet and/or for visits to the potential home. The final approval of an adoption will lie with DCDR, but foster input on a potential adoption is always welcomed.
Won't I get too attached to my foster? For many animal lovers, this fear is one of the biggest obstacles to fostering. Experienced fosters will tell you, though, that knowing a foster dog has been adopted to a wonderful "furever" home is the biggest reward they receive. The final adoption of a foster also gives you the opportunity to save another. Of course, if you do fall in love with your foster and just can't let go, you do have the option to apply to adopt, just like anyone else.
How long will I have to foster the animal? Fostering can be a short-term or long-term commitment, depending on the circumstances of the fostering and the time it takes to final adoption. Ideally, a foster parent should have some flexibility, as sometimes the unexpected does happen (e.g., a transport is delayed, medical treatment takes longer than expected, etc.), but DCDR will do everything possible to work with you and any limitations you may have.
Will I be able to choose my foster animal? Of course! When applying to foster, you tell us if there is a specific animal in need you want to help and/or give us the criteria for an animal you can foster. Small breeds only? Fine. Must like cats? OK. Puppies only? That's cool. Prefer a senior or special needs dog? Wonderful! If we do not have an animal in need that fits your criteria right now, we can almost promise we will find one. We visit the shelter weekly and, if we are aware you are looking to help a particular kind of dog, we can surely find a match. When we do, we will contact you to see if circumstances allow you to accept a foster at that time.
What if my foster isn’t a fit for my family? We will do everything possible to ensure your foster is a proper fit before you take the animal. In the event that issues arise after your foster comes home, you should contact someone from DCDR to see what can be done to place the foster animal in a new foster home. We may even be able to help you resolve those issues and keep your foster.
I'm still nervous...Can I get more information? Yes. We understand that fostering can be a daunting prospect to many people. We have experienced fosters we can connect you with to answer questions before you foster--or help with any issues once you have accepted a foster dog into your home. They can help explain how to introduce a foster to resident animals, help resolve behavioral issues, provide training tips, and offer many other resources.
I want to foster! How do I get started? Fill out our foster application here. See a list of dogs who need fosters right now here.
A final note: Though DCDR is always eager to expand our foster home network, if you are interested only in a specific breed or want to get started right away and we have no compatible dogs in need, we encourage you to foster for any other rescue group or directly for a shelter. A list of other rescue groups in the region (and area shelters) is available here. If you are outside our area, we will be happy to point you to resources in or near your hometown.
Many people have questions about how fostering works and its purpose. Below we attempt to answer some of the most common questions a potential foster parent may have.
Why are fosters needed? The answer to this question has many parts. First, there are many risks associated with an animal staying in a shelter. When an animal is in a shelter, he or she is more likely to become ill (due to the number of animals in close quarters). Also, long-term shelter residents often find the shelter environment stressful and can become depressed, anxious, or fearful. Moving animals into private homes allows them to relax and blossom, as well as learn how to become good "house dogs" through training and socialization, increasing the chances for adoption. In medical cases, fostering allows the animal to receive treatment or recover in a quiet, stress-free environment. With fostering, everyone benefits: The foster gets to spend time with a special dog, and the kennel gains space, which will most likely save another dog's life. The foster dog gets a second chance at becoming a cherished pet. The new owners get a dog that is better adapted to home life, and therefore has a better chance of remaining in the new home permanently.
What does a foster parent do? As a foster parent, you allow an animal to live in your home until he or she is adopted or transported to rescue. Aside from regular day-to-day care (feeding, grooming, and exercise), the responsibilities of a foster home may include basic training (housetraining, walking on leash, sit, down); behavior modification (to correct problems such as jumping, mouthing, barking, destructive chewing); socialization and temperament evaluation to determine whether the dog is good with different types of people, children, and other animals; medical care such as dispensing medication or taking the dog to vet appointments; and, of course, plenty of playtime and snuggling.
Who pays the foster animal's expenses? We cover all veterinary expenses for your foster dog. You will pay for the day-to-day expenses such as food and normal supplies. We may be able to assist with items such as crates, food bowls, leashes, etc., if donated items are available, but this is not guaranteed.
Can I use my own veterinarian/Do I have to use DCDR vets? DCDR works with several vets who not only charge a special rescue rate, but also have a great deal of experience with rescue dogs/former shelter dogs and the medical challenges common to them. DCDR prefers to use those vets for all treatment. If getting a dog to those vets is a hardship for a foster, and if DCDR is familiar with the foster's personal vet, we may willing to work with the foster for non-major issues but cannot guarantee this. We may also be able to assist with transportation to vet appointments with our own preferred vets.
Who handles the animal's adoption? We do. We will promote the animal on Petfinder.com and through any other avenue available, screen potential adopters, and arrange home visits and meetings between your foster and potential adopters; however, as a foster parent, you can choose to take an active role in the adoption of your dog. You can take your foster to approved adoption events and promote your foster online. You can also contact any applicants, check references, and participate in the home visit yourself. At minimum, you would need to make the animal available for potential adopters to meet and/or for visits to the potential home. The final approval of an adoption will lie with DCDR, but foster input on a potential adoption is always welcomed.
Won't I get too attached to my foster? For many animal lovers, this fear is one of the biggest obstacles to fostering. Experienced fosters will tell you, though, that knowing a foster dog has been adopted to a wonderful "furever" home is the biggest reward they receive. The final adoption of a foster also gives you the opportunity to save another. Of course, if you do fall in love with your foster and just can't let go, you do have the option to apply to adopt, just like anyone else.
How long will I have to foster the animal? Fostering can be a short-term or long-term commitment, depending on the circumstances of the fostering and the time it takes to final adoption. Ideally, a foster parent should have some flexibility, as sometimes the unexpected does happen (e.g., a transport is delayed, medical treatment takes longer than expected, etc.), but DCDR will do everything possible to work with you and any limitations you may have.
Will I be able to choose my foster animal? Of course! When applying to foster, you tell us if there is a specific animal in need you want to help and/or give us the criteria for an animal you can foster. Small breeds only? Fine. Must like cats? OK. Puppies only? That's cool. Prefer a senior or special needs dog? Wonderful! If we do not have an animal in need that fits your criteria right now, we can almost promise we will find one. We visit the shelter weekly and, if we are aware you are looking to help a particular kind of dog, we can surely find a match. When we do, we will contact you to see if circumstances allow you to accept a foster at that time.
What if my foster isn’t a fit for my family? We will do everything possible to ensure your foster is a proper fit before you take the animal. In the event that issues arise after your foster comes home, you should contact someone from DCDR to see what can be done to place the foster animal in a new foster home. We may even be able to help you resolve those issues and keep your foster.
I'm still nervous...Can I get more information? Yes. We understand that fostering can be a daunting prospect to many people. We have experienced fosters we can connect you with to answer questions before you foster--or help with any issues once you have accepted a foster dog into your home. They can help explain how to introduce a foster to resident animals, help resolve behavioral issues, provide training tips, and offer many other resources.
I want to foster! How do I get started? Fill out our foster application here. See a list of dogs who need fosters right now here.
A final note: Though DCDR is always eager to expand our foster home network, if you are interested only in a specific breed or want to get started right away and we have no compatible dogs in need, we encourage you to foster for any other rescue group or directly for a shelter. A list of other rescue groups in the region (and area shelters) is available here. If you are outside our area, we will be happy to point you to resources in or near your hometown.
