Fostering for Rescues - Page 1

Fostering for Rescues

One of my co-workers who volunteers for dog rescue asked me if I would be interested in fostering GSDs...once a few years back i looked into it on line and I saw that these people go to your house (inspecting it), call your vets, call your references, can come anytime to look at your dogs, want all of your info...and it seemed like its almost easier to foster a human child than a dog from a rescue organization, so I said heck no, my life is my life and not out there for some overprotective crazy cat/dog lady to scrutinize...however since i been asked by someone I know I am wondering:

Has anyone here done it (doing it now)? If you are is it worth it for you (i know its a benefit for a dog)? Do you put extra work into fostered dog such as training, titling (is it even possible)...I realize it would be hard to have it finally find a good home and being able to let it go, do you adopt one for yourself when you find the one that fits your life like a glove? what are the chances of a foster dog living with you for the rest of his/her life while being available for adoption? Is it even worth getting into...and how do your kids (if you have any) feel about it? 

I used to do it about 6 years ago, no one inspected my house or called my vet. I got into it while through a dog trainer, I would either get the GSD through her or meet 1/2 way with someone from the rescue organization (they were 3 hours away). I took in males as they had a harder time finding foster homes for them, or so they said. When they dogs came to me they had already been neutered and had health checks, so I administered meds if necessary and if an issue came up and they need to see the vet, I voluntarily paid out of my pocket but that was my choice. I basically house trained those who needed it and trained for leash walking and basic obedience. I had to interview people who wanted to adopt and gave my impressions to the rescue person and all money (adoption fees) were handled by the rescue and so were the decisions about what dog went with what family. I never had one that did not get placed and the longest I had one particular dog was a few months. I quit doing it because we were moving (military) and my husband said he felt like it was disruptive and he was uncomfortable with different dogs coming into our home. I enjoyed doing it and never had a bad experience with it but I have met other people who have nightmare stories. The only down side was I felt like I wanted to keep all that came through my door and there is an adjustment period for some of the new dogs coming in. I learned pretty fast that there were things I had to do when bringing them in... no free reign of the house, lots of walks and being very vigilant about being a leader, those are a few examples. To me it was rewarding and fulfilling and once I saw the type of homes they were going to, I didn't feel guilty about not keeping everyone of them, Jennifer

Ive been doing rescue for years and before having my own rescue (because of the nutty requirements you mentioned) I found many of the people I met obsessive and slight of balance. Just being honest here. I was turned down by one group for not being able to verify my dogs vaccine records. A friend of mine recommended I do my own thing since it seemed that I coudnt find what I was looking for. Thats how I got started.

Look around and talk to the different rescues. See which one fits what you view as far as training, feeding etc. Ive had volunteers frown or downright speak out on prong collars, raw diet, or anything else "they" deemed unloving. Ask yourself how you feel about aggression and debilitating health issues and what you will do if your fostering a dog you feel should not be adopted out. How does the rescue deal with this because it will most likely happen. Many rescues wont put a dog down no matter what. I am not of that thinking and will if I cant trust the dog or the illness overshadows the well being of the dog. These are the issues no one talks  about but are important. 

You will get attached to the dogs you take in. I do even after all these years. I still cry when I have to put one down (because someone else refused to) and it never gets easier. But you get to see dogs bloom right in front of your eyes. Rescue dogs that come from the shelter are somehow more thankful I think that they somehow made it out when others didnt. Ive made life long friends from people who have adopted from me. Its my way of giving back to society.

You wont get too many that you will be able to title. Ive had a few and placed them in working homes. The majority are pet bred pet life. Make sure the rescue pays for your medical UP FRONT (some ask you to pay and they reimburse) and see if they can provide food for you. Some do some dont. I say do it. If you dont like it then you can stop.

Feel free to pm me if you want if you have any other questions.

Barb

I am a university student with 2 dogs, 2 cats and a VERY strong passion for animals.  I have fostered for 2 years now, and have since rehomed 16 puppies and 5 dogs!  It is the most amazing feeling in the world, knowing that you rescued these creatures from death row, and gave them that second chance!  I have also met a lot of great individuals along the way! :)

I understand that it may seem invasive that they want to do a home visit, and ask questions, but in all honesty.. if every breeder/rescue did this to potential adopters in the first place, there wouldn't be near as many dogs in shelters!  Most rescues make themselves sound more invasive than they EVER are, as they want to be able to weed out pour foster homes.  Yes they will come do an initial home visit, yes they will call your vet and references, but if you have nothing to hide, then what is the harm! :)

In my experiences I have too learned that which clee27 said, you must assess each dog individually, but knowing so little about a new foster dog requires you to crate them rather than leaving them out like your normal family pet (initially), give them consistent exercise (regular walks), and think of them as a 2 year old child... they can get into everything!  I personally have never had a bad experience fostering, and I have worked with fear agressive dogs, dogs with anxiety, dogs with medical issues, as well as outright aggressive dogs!  There is nothing more rewarding than watching them transform, and move into their new FUREVER homes.

I have met a lot of individuals who find it very difficult to say goodbye, but realistically you know you can't keep all of them, or you wouldn't be able to keep helping!  I have one foster failure... so yes sometime one just fits like a glove, and they can never be rehomed.  My gsd x girl Zoodles is the sweetest dog, and helps with the rehabilitation of my foster dogs!

I would highly suggest trying it, and if you don't like it, you can always stop. :)

Oh!  And my local kennel club does free obedience lessons for 1 foster dog per session, so perhaps you could look into that in your area for the more unruly dogs! lol

Best wishes! :)
Melissa

I fostered for years. Sometimes for a short period, like when waiting for a spot in rescue to open up, sometimes for much longer like when I had a pregnant bitch or a medical /behavioral case. I never had a home check from rescues but  I did volunteer home checks for them if they were in my area. Shelters never home checked me because I was licensed by the state and usually worked for the shelter I fostered for.I have kept a few dogs/cats that fit in my family but most times I convinced myself I'm just a stepping stone and they would be moving on. Litters were especially hard because you grow so attached. My 3 sons who grew up with all my animals and helped out on a regular basis. I was fortunate enough not to ever have one that didn't find a home within 6 months or so,but then being the sap that I am I seemed to always pick the ones to keep that nobody else would want. Over the years I've kept a heartworm pos dog,a one eyed dog, and one that was literally skinned down his whole side from getting hit by a car.It's a lot of extra work, but I found it rewarding. It also teaches the kids to have compassion and give their time to animals in need, a trait my now grown boys still possess.I don't do it any more,but last fall someone put a pup on my porch and I landed up keeping him. Like I said...I'm a sap.

What Barb said.  Many (not "Most" or "All" so rescuers please don't put words in my mouth) MANY rescuers are obsessive, anal, and selfish by nature - they think about themselves as the best homes for the dogs they rescue, and it's pretty much impossible to pass all of their "tests" in order to adopt a dog, and even then only with all sorts of restrictions and stipulations, inspections and requirements.  Yes, sometimes even more difficult than adopting an American child I think.

Anyway, I foster for several rescues and make my kennel available for dogs in transit or those who need training before being adopted.  Also Dogs that are in foster homes that are not working out (not getting along with the fosterer's dogs, etc).  And dogs being pulled by rescuers who don't have room to keep them for a week or two - enables them to rescue more dogs.  Right now I have a lab/beagle mix puppy pulled from a local shelter who is overcrowded and starting to euthanize, and a border collie from a local BC rescuer who is full at the moment.  Getting another BC tomorrow and another shelter-pulled dog as soon as transport can be arranged.

Anyway it's all a matter of which rescue you work with.  If their regulations or requirements are not to your taste, then volunteer your facility, time and resources to someone else.  Simple as that.

The BC rescue I work with provides food for the dogs, and gave me a load of good-quality food, so much that I'll be feeding my dogs for several months for free.   The dogs come in with all shots and vet check, and I make room for dogs who need a place to stay until a real foster has the room to take them or they are adopted. 

Noone checks out my home, though of course they are welcome to look through the kennel and talk with me, check references etc.  If I'm not what they are looking for (kennel setup) then I simply help another dog and they can find someone else to foster theirs.

molly

I cannot foster because I have one dog that doesn't really tolerate random dogs showing up in our house, and we just don't have space to crate and rotate dogs indoors or any kennel setup.  We just moved but before that the zoning limit was three dogs anyway and since I rented I couldn't risk getting in trouble or getting my landlord in trouble.  Also I work full time so I can't have dogs with SA or other special needs.  Instead I occassionally pull and transport GSDs.  The shelter for the county next to mine is a dump and they have no money.  The manager is really nice and if they have a GSD or high GSD mix she lets us take the dog for free.  Usually I transport the dog to the vet hospital I use which is also a boarding facility.  Me or someone helps pay for the dog to be seen by a vet and boarded until it can be transported to foster care.  The nice thing about this arrangement is that if the dog needs medical care they are at the vet hospital.  We had one dog that needed to be treated for a severe parasite infestation and the vet thought it was best she remain there anyway.  Some of the dogs are so accustomed to being in a cement run at the shelter they go crazy in a home or a crate.  I tried to keep one for a few days and ended up bringing her to the vet for boarding because she was going insane, having never been in a house.  They kept her in a secluded run and said she was fine. 

Right now I just can't make the financial, time, or emotional commitment to actually fostering dogs in my home and it would not go over well with my dogs.  They are my highest priority.