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Consider Fostering

Thank You for Considering the

Lifesaving Act of Becoming a Foster

Fosters truly are the FRONT LINE for these dogs & a critical step in saving more lives! A foster home is a temporary living situation for dogs while they are awaiting placement in a permanent home. Foster families provide shelter, food, care, love, and guidance. The number of dogs we can save depends entirely on the number of people who will open their homes and hearts to foster them. For some of these dogs, this will be their first experience being treated as a family pet.

You are their salvation and you should never underestimate the important role you are playing in their lives!
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Read our Foster requirements Carefully →→→→→→→→→

The only way that we can save dogs is with the help of foster homes. Being a foster family has rewards beyond the essential value of helping a pet in need find a new home. For some, it is a chance to have an rescue dog companion without making a lifetime commitment, or to try new companions for an existing pet. Foster Care is critical to our rescue efforts, the more homes we have, the more dogs we can save. Becoming a foster family is a very rewarding experience, and can be a lot of fun. There are often tears shed when a foster finally finds a home of their own, but knowing you have saved a life and opened up space to save another is truly rewarding.

BEFORE YOU PROCEED WITH FILLING OUT A FOSTER APPLICATION READ THE INFORMATION BELOW

The application is long and involved. It is very important that you answer all the questions on the application so we can fully evaluate your situation.

  • We will call your vet for information about your previous and current animals. If you have used multiple vets, please provide that information as well.
  • We will contact your personal references. It is critical they return our calls in a timely manner, or we will not be able to proceed with your application. Let them know we will be calling. We will make two attempts to contact by phone and send 1 email after the calls. Please ensure they are aware of us making contact. 
  • If you are a renter, we will contact your landlord for approval for you to foster a dog. Get permission before filling out the application. Make sure to inquire if there are any additional pet fees for fostering.

You need to be able to answer YES to the following criteria: 

  • Are all animals in the home spayed or neutered? Exceptions may be made for unaltered animals due to age and certain medical concerns determined on a case-by-case board review OR AKC breeding rights or show dog. We will need a copy of your title wins and AKC documents.
  • Are all animals up to date and have a verifiable history of annual vaccinations? This applies to previous animals also.
  • Are all animals up to date and have a verifiable history of monthly heartworm/flea/tick prevention? This applies to previous animals also.
  • Do you have a securely fenced yard? Exceptions made on a case-by-case basis for verifiable e-fence, apartments, condos, and rural acreage.

OUR FOSTER APPLICATION PROCESS 

  • Once your application is submitted the process normally takes 7-10 days OR can be expedited based on foster home needs. We may have an urgent case and need a dog for foster immediately. We are a foster based rescue.
  • Upon reviewing your application we will do personal checks, reference & veterinary checks, landlord checks (if applicable) phone interview, and home visit.
  • Upon final approval you will be placed with a dog as the needs arise. In some cases the time to start fostering is very short. Please note that our main focus is the homeless, dumped, and left behind and there is no shortage of that in our areas.
How Long Can I Expect to Foster a Pet?

Fosters will keep dogs an average of 4-8 weeks. Some pets need more time because of age, illness, injury, or behavior issues. Your time commitment will be discussed up-front before you agree to foster the pet, but most foster families keep the dog until the dog gets adopted.

What are the Responsibilities of a Foster Family? What does the Rescue provide?
  • FOSTER: Provide a safe, clean, and caring environment for the dog.
  • FOSTER: Feed, water, exercise and socialization as appropriate.
  • FOSTER: Monitor any medical and/or behavioral problems and administer any medications as directed.
  • FOSTER: Assist with transport to/from adoption events.
  • FOSTER: Participate in helping FFR find a family for the dog.
  • RESCUE: We do provide food and supplies for the duration of the foster dogs care. If you are able to provide those items as well that would substantially help the rescue. We do ask that if we provide food for our rescues and there are other pets in the home that you keep the provided food for the foster dog only.
  • RESCUE: We do an intake on the dog upon arriving and we provide a rescue collar and tag. We de-worm, apply flea/tick preventative, microchip, and a foster questionnaire for you to fill out and return the the Dog or Foster Coordinator. The form is the things you witness about the dogs habits, temperaments, etc. This helps us build the adoptable bio on the dog.
  • RESCUE: We do provide medical care for our dogs in foster care. Shortly after arriving in foster care they will be scheduled at Chambers Veterinary for their rescue vet care. Spay/Neuter, Heartworm test, vaccines, and heartworm preventative if they obtain a negative test for heartworm.
  • RESCUE: We create cute bios on them with photos and place them online to begin the journey of exposure and spotlight to get them once step closer to getting adopted.

Ready to Foster?

Apply to Foster a Dog
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