Foster Care Information
Pound Pups Rescue Group is looking for foster parent(s) willing to foster animals in need of a safe and caring environment in which to reach their full loving potential.
Things to Consider
All fostering is done on an "Independent" basis! We are much too small of a rescue group at this time to provide financial reimbursement to those thinking about fostering a dog or cat. As with our adoption process, we ask all volunteers to submit a completed Foster Application.
An animal may need a foster home for a variety of reasons including age, illness, injuries, and socialization, or to help provide much needed space at the shelter for incoming animals.
Fostering is a commitment, both emotionally and financially! Once the animal is in your care, you are responsible for that animal until it is successfully adopted!
If you decide that you want to adopt the animal you have been fostering,
you must follow the adoption process, and guidelines as any other potential adopter.
Fostering certainly isn't easy, and at times, it's incredibly stressful. It requires dedication, hard work, serious time commitments, lots of stain remover, and - above all love and patience. It's also can be the most rewarding experience you will ever have...
Why should I Foster?
Fostering a dog saves a life. Foster care consists of providing a safe, loving, temporary home for a dog until a permanent adoptive home can be found. Medium-to-large, adolescent, untrained dogs and older dogs are prime candidates for foster homes. They are usually overlooked at the shelter because they are too big, to old, unruly, sick (neglect, fleas, kennel cough) or ordinary-looking. Most are past the adorable puppy stage, but still have plenty of energy that needs an outlet. Given enough time, patience and some basic training, these dogs that might otherwise be euthanized for lack of space now have a chance at finding permanent, loving homes.
Aside from regular day-to-day care (feeding, grooming, exercise), the responsibilities of a foster home may include basic training (house training, walking on a leash, basic commands, sit, down, etc.); behavior modification (to correct problems such as jumping, mouthing, barking, destructive chewing, dashing through doors); socialization and temperament evaluation (to determine whether the dog is good with different types of people, children and other animals); veterinary care ( taking the dog to appointments, dispensing medication, etc.) and of course plenty of playtime and snuggling. After the dog has been nursed back to health, evaluated, and trained, the search begins for a loving, permanent home!
Fostering a dog may seem like a formidable task, but it is a very tangible way to make a difference. Everyone benefits: The foster volunteer gets to spend time with a special dog, and the kennel gains space for a new dog. The foster dog gets a break from kennel life and 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.We can only rescue as many dogs as we have foster homes! You provide the love,training and home. The dog provides you with love, joy, and the satisfaction of having saved a life.
Foster Parent Responsibilities:
- Provide a a safe and nurturing environment for the dog. Make sure if you are renting that your landlord/complex allows dogs and or cats!
- Providing high quality pet food, litter boxes, toys, vaccines when needed, medications, collars and tags.
- Patience! Understand that all dogs are rescue dogs and their behavior can be unpredictable. Be prepared for some adjustment in the beginning. It can be stressful for both you and the dog to be in a new situation.
- Commitment to foster the animal until an adoptive home is found. The length of foster care for each animal varies depending on its needs. Fostering may last from two weeks to several months.
- If you are working full time, provide a safe place for the dog to be while you are gone. If the dog will be outside while you are away be sure to provide a shelter for the dog to retreat to during stormy or hot weather. A fence of at least 6 feet is recommended to prevent a dog from jumping over. If the dog is to remain indoors we highly recommend crate training to keep both the dog and your home safe and secure.
- Foster homes sign a Foster Agreement and agree to abide by Pound Pups Rescue policies. (See the Foster Manel for more information.)
- Notify your Pound Pups contacts immediately in the event the dog is sick or lost (your foster agreement includes the names and numbers of your contacts).
- Keep Pound Pups informed about your foster dog's personality, quirks, behavior, etc. Your input is invaluable for describing the dog on the website and to potential adopters.
- Treat the dog as you would a member of your family.
If you would like to help us by fostering a dog, please fill out Our Foster Agreement Form. Dogs are placed through adoption events, the internet, and advertising. After a home visit, all adopted dogs must have adoption papers filled out, signed,
and the adoption fee paid before they can go home with an adopter.
We welcome foster homes that work to find permanent homes for their foster dogs. Pound Pups requirements must be met by all adopters.
