DOG Fostering process
Why Foster? Become A Lifeline For A Homeless Dog
What Does Fostering Mean?
Fostering means welcoming a homeless dog into your home and caring for them temporarily until they find their forever family. This small act has an incredible impact—not only for the dog but for shelters and rescues, and for you and your family.
And when you foster with Fishy's Friends, it costs you nothing. We cover all vet care and provide the necessary supplies; you just provide the love, transport to vet appointments, and communication with us.
The Impact of Fostering
- Fostering Saves Lives: Rescues depend on foster homes, especially for long-term shelter dogs or those at risk of euthanasia. By opening your home, you save lives and offer comfort to dogs who may struggle in a kennel environment.
- You Help Make Dogs More Adoptable: Fostering allows a dog to decompress, get exercise, and practice training, making them calmer, more social, and ready to impress potential adopters.
- You Can Change a Dog’s Future: Some dogs come from difficult backgrounds, and fostering offers them a safe environment to heal and learn to trust humans. You play a vital role in their transformation from fearful to adoptable.
- Great for Your Family: Fostering can enrich your family’s life, teaching children responsibility and selflessness, and it can be a fun, socializing experience for existing pets.
- Join a Supportive Community: When you foster, you’re part of a community of like-minded people, sharing advice, experiences, and the joy of saving lives.
- You Complete Someone’s Family: Saying goodbye to a foster dog can be bittersweet, but knowing they’ve found their forever family is incredibly rewarding.
Foster Process: What to Expect.
The Application Process:
- Preparing for Checks: To keep things moving, inform your personal references and landlord (if applicable) that we will be contacting them. Delays in reaching them or securing permissions could impact your application.
- Personal References: We’ll connect with your references to understand your commitment to fostering.
- Rental Approval (for Renters): Renters must confirm with their landlord in advance, as we’ll also seek their approval.
- Next Steps After Submission: Once your application is received, our team will review it, conduct a phone interview, and complete reference, landlord checks, and a home visit. Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee foster approval.
- Background Check: All applicants will undergo a background check, focused solely on incidents involving vulnerable populations (children, animals, women, elders). You may be asked to cover the cost in some cases. We are open to discussing any findings to provide context.
Once Approved: You’ll sign the foster contract, join the exclusive Foster Lounge, and gain access to tools and support to make your fostering journey successful. Don’t forget to check out our Foster Program Handbook using the button below—it’s packed with tips and resources to help you become the most confident foster possible!
Ready To Foster?
Fostering changes lives—both theirs and yours. If you're ready to make a difference, contact us to learn more and join the Fishy's Friends fostering community!
