Might become a foster advice needed.

WesF · 11-28-2009, 03:56 PM

The rescue where I got Samson from is in need of foster homes. My wife and I were thinking of fostering one of the GSDs they have. We could only take in one with our current situation. I wanted to get some advice from people who have fostered before. Any tips or suggestions you might have for me please do tell. Thanks

katieliz · 11-28-2009, 04:18 PM

hi wesf, thanks so much for considering fostering, the need is so great, and fosters are indeed the backbone of rescue. the only advice i have for you is to be stronger than i was and not become a "foster failure", where you just can't let the dog go! as long as you foster for a reputable rescue it should be a very rewarding experience, to know that you've been the "bridge" that allows a dog to go on to the good life. thanks again to you and your wife!

SuzyE · 11-28-2009, 06:55 PM

My client fosters, She has helped dozens of dogs. She adopted two. Yeah she crys everytime one leaves but it is great.

sit,stay · 11-28-2009, 09:57 PM

I have been a happy foster home for over six years now and love it. I find it very rewarding.

Since you adopted your own pet from this rescue, you'll probably already know the answer to at least some of the questions I would ask a rescue I was considering fostering for.

1. How are the available for adoption dogs exposed to the adopting public? Is there a website or a Petfinder page? Or will the foster parent need to do mobile adoption events to get exposure?

2. Who pays for routine vet care? What about non-routine and/or emergency vet care? Are animals spayed/neutered prior to adoption, or are they adopted out on a spay/neuter contract?

3. Who pays for food? What about training?

4. Is there a system in place for moving the dog to another foster home if it doesn't work out with you? How long would that process take, if there is one?

5. Who checks applications and follows up on references and home visits? If you get a bad feeling about a potential adopter, do you have final say about the adoption?

There are very few activities as rewarding as fostering. I say go for it!
Sheilah

katieliz · 11-29-2009, 02:10 PM

great post sheilah!

CindyM · 11-30-2009, 11:58 AM

I am just doing my first foster. It is so much more rewarding then I could even put into words. If you decide to go through with it you will be helping a dog that probably had little or no chance at life grow and become ready for a new family that will love him. It's so awesome!

11-28-2009, 03:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
WesF Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 91	Might become a foster advice needed. The rescue where I got Samson from is in need of foster homes. My wife and I were thinking of fostering one of the GSDs they have. We could only take in one with our current situation. I wanted to get some advice from people who have fostered before. Any tips or suggestions you might have for me please do tell. Thanks

11-28-2009, 04:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
katieliz Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: york township, mi Posts: 6,324	Re: Might become a foster advice needed. hi wesf, thanks so much for considering fostering, the need is so great, and fosters are indeed the backbone of rescue. the only advice i have for you is to be stronger than i was and not become a "foster failure", where you just can't let the dog go! as long as you foster for a reputable rescue it should be a very rewarding experience, to know that you've been the "bridge" that allows a dog to go on to the good life. thanks again to you and your wife! __________________ mom to seraphina blue & the cashman miss jeni-take-a-ride, rescued 7/07 shangri la's great white caesar, rescued 4/09 hearthside's cinderfella (RIP 4/20/09) shep von bellefontaine (RIP 6/9/10) voodoo lily (dsh) & cricket (african grey)

11-28-2009, 06:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
SuzyE Crowned Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: michigan Posts: 5,077	Re: Might become a foster advice needed. My client fosters, She has helped dozens of dogs. She adopted two. Yeah she crys everytime one leaves but it is great. __________________ "You can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals" -french proverb

11-28-2009, 09:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
sit,stay Knighted Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,056	Re: Might become a foster advice needed. I have been a happy foster home for over six years now and love it. I find it very rewarding. Since you adopted your own pet from this rescue, you'll probably already know the answer to at least some of the questions I would ask a rescue I was considering fostering for. 1. How are the available for adoption dogs exposed to the adopting public? Is there a website or a Petfinder page? Or will the foster parent need to do mobile adoption events to get exposure? 2. Who pays for routine vet care? What about non-routine and/or emergency vet care? Are animals spayed/neutered prior to adoption, or are they adopted out on a spay/neuter contract? 3. Who pays for food? What about training? 4. Is there a system in place for moving the dog to another foster home if it doesn't work out with you? How long would that process take, if there is one? 5. Who checks applications and follows up on references and home visits? If you get a bad feeling about a potential adopter, do you have final say about the adoption? There are very few activities as rewarding as fostering. I say go for it! Sheilah

11-29-2009, 02:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
katieliz Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: york township, mi Posts: 6,324	Re: Might become a foster advice needed. great post sheilah! __________________ mom to seraphina blue & the cashman miss jeni-take-a-ride, rescued 7/07 shangri la's great white caesar, rescued 4/09 hearthside's cinderfella (RIP 4/20/09) shep von bellefontaine (RIP 6/9/10) voodoo lily (dsh) & cricket (african grey)

11-30-2009, 11:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
CindyM Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,979	Re: Might become a foster advice needed. I am just doing my first foster. It is so much more rewarding then I could even put into words. If you decide to go through with it you will be helping a dog that probably had little or no chance at life grow and become ready for a new family that will love him. It's so awesome! __________________ Cindy M

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