Wanting to foster/adopt... questions - Page 1

Hi everyone, I'm new here. I have been wanting a puppy for some time and now that I've moved in with my fiance and been there almost a year, I think the time may be right. There is a local rescue that is bringing 4 German Shepard/Lab pups up next week and needs a foster for each one. I have contacted them and received a foster/adopt application but I have a few concerns. Tell me if you would reject my application?

Vet Reference - I haven't had a pet who needed regular vet care in a few years. Last I had a cat but we were in a different county. I had to leave an abusive situation and when we moved, a friend fostered my cat and has since adopted her. I didn't feel it was fair to the cat to keep changing her residence and she was finally comfy and happy there. She wasn't a cat that did well with change. Also, my fiance has a dog currently. He is up to date on rabies but his family doesn't believe in repeated vac's. He has never had any illness or injury that required vet care past keeping UTD on rabies so he really doesn't have a vet reference does he? Will this hurt my application? 

Yard - We have a very large yard, out in the country. It is not currently fenced, although we do plan on fencing it next spring. The plan would be to have the dogs leashed and/or on the run while they are outdoors. Here in Northern NE, it will soon be too cold to have the dogs stay outdoors during the day so they would be staying in the house come colder weather and also, even in milder temps any time there is incliment weather possible we leave the dog in the (ventilated) garage during the day with food, water, bed, toys, etc. so he does not get wet and cold. Would this be sufficient?

Time - The dogs would be home alone from around 830 to 3 on weekdays. Is this ok? Our older dog mainly sleeps all day (he is 13!) but I wasn't sure for a pup if that is way too long. I could also look into bringing the dog with me to work during the day - I work in the office at a garage so there would be a space for him to lie down and I could take him out at break/lunch and to pee whenever. Sometimes my boss brings his dog in and also a lot of the truck drivers have dogs that we allow in the office if they are socialized. What is the typical expectation of time that a dog spends alone?

Children - We have 3 young children. A 6 yr old, 4 yr old, and 3 yr old. They are not overly rambunctious but they are kids! We have taught them the general niceties of animal handling. They don't pull ears, tails, etc. They don't run at animals or chase them. They know that they must approach slowly at first and only with permission. Would you be concerned with this? 

Thanks for reading this long thing and thanks for taking the time to help me out. I really want this puppy but I also want it for the long run. I do not want to get a puppy, introduce it to the family, and then have to send it back for one reason or another if it could be easily avoided by making sure we are prepared. 

I should add, the cat did receive regular vet care (required vax, rabies, urgent care when needed). She was fixed and our dog now is also fixed.

It's probably going to depend on the rescue. Some seem to want to make it almost impossible for anyone to adopt or foster while others are more lenient.

I recommend talking with the president/owner of the rescue.  Develop a relationship.  Explain your life.  Remember, the goal is the best interest of the dog.  Be honest; anything short of that will do a disservice to you and the dog.

 No matter the end results, be ok with it.  If the rescue is a pain in the rump and dismiss you for a dumb reason, you do not want to do business with them (they could be hiding a short coming with either the rescue or the puppy).  If the rescue is a good one and determine that you are not the right home for the breed, that is ok too.  Ask what breed/type of dog they recommend.

Now for the time at work, 6 1/2 hours is a bit long for a puppy, especially a lab.  If you can take the puppy with you, the benefit will far out weigh any down side.

Good luck and let us know the results.  Pictures are always welcome.

Most rescues will require secure fencing prior to doing rescue especially with you gone that length of time;  best of luck to you   Nan

A vet reference would include being up to date on vax which doesn't mean annual vax; annual heart worm testing and medication; and regular physical exams. The vet would be able to comment on whether the dog appeared healthy and well cared for.

very few rescues would adopt or foster to a home without secure fencing or one where the dogs would be kept  outside unattended.

everyone works full time so that isn't a problem for an adult dog. It's way too long for a puppy unless you took it to work or arranged other care for it.

many rescues won't adopt or foster to homes with small kids like yours. It depends on the dog and the breed.

the reasons behind many of these restrictions is due to the high rate of failure without them. There are certainly homes that manage just fine even with some if these drawbacks, but the rescue doesn't know you and isn't willing to chance it. They are on the side of the dog, not yours, and want to increase the chance of a good permanent placement for the dog.

as all rescues are different, some are good and some not so good, your best bet is to call them and talk to them about it.

The rescue I foster for is fine if you work, we ALL work.  Not having a fenced area might be an issue, not so much for adoption (depends on the dog), but if you're serious about fostering you would be getting dogs that need to be evaluated and probably need some training.  Personally I would not want to foster without a fenced area.  Also the dogs need to be kept inside.  I don't have a problem with kennel runs or garage runs, but I'm betting most rescues are going to want foster dogs penned or crated indoors with as much supervision as possible.

Well yes, we "all" work, normally.  But not every individual nor everybody in a family works full-time, all the time,

at long distance.

The problem some rescue centres have, and I completely understand this, is that adopters are not always truthful.

Some have ended up regretting placements when it has turned  out that the 'afternoon local job' is nothing of the

sort, and dogs have been left alone for hours and hours - and then adopters have the gall to complain about the

howling, mess or chewing the dog soon starts doing.  Hence many rescues became much fussier about who they

would rehome to;  particularly young puppies.

They took the decision, many of them, right around the time that the Me generation started to think it always has

a right to keep a dog, no matter whether they can meet all its needs or not.

I think Fawndallas hit the nail on the head: the rescue is there to help the dog, not help you get a dog. The rescues I deal with have some general rules, fencing, no kids under 3, etc, but if I talk to a person and they don't quite meet all the criteria but have it together, have some experience, understand what they're in for, I recommend a little leeway. It drives me crazy when someone hounds me for a dog, they get it on Monday and by Wednesday call me to say they've done all they can, the dog is untrainable, and it has to go.

That said, talk to the rescue, explain the situation. Maybe they have a dog that is good with kids or doesn't need the room to run, an older dog or something. Be flexible in what you want and be there to help the group.

Good luck and good for you thinking of opening your home to a dog in need.