Being a Foster Home
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
AND WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
When you foster, a dog will enter your home after having hit the absolute lowest point in their lives. Often, they were just minutes away from being put to death, having had spent days/weeks/months in a shelter or pound or having lived in a home that no longer loved them or cared for them properly.
When they arrive, they are scared and confused. They often have intestinal parasites, which are easily treated, have usually had poor nutrition, sometimes have illnesses or other conditions, and almost always smell bad. Very often, these are dogs that have not had any time invested in them, so being the center of attention, having rules to live by and living in the house are new experiences.
Through it all, though, there are few experiences more delightful and rewarding than to see one of these dogs light up as they realize that they get good food, in a bowl, every single day. The joy they express when they get to sleep INSIDE, or curl next to you in the family room, or follow you from room to room shows in their eyes and the big, goofy grins on their faces. You will be amazed as you watch the transformation as your foster dog begins to feel healthier, secure and safe. They are anxious to please and work hard to learn the rules of living in the house. And they love you.
Molly found her forever home!
WHAT WE EXPECT
We expect our foster homes to provide a safe, loving environment, where each one of our foster dogs can become the very best dog they can be. We look to you to provide accurate feedback on the dog's personality and behavior - the good, the bad and the ugly. By the time your foster dog is adopted, he should be clean, fully vaccinated, free of internal and external parasites (including heartworms), microchipped, and spayed/neutered. He or she should also have learned some basic manners - sit, down, and basic leash skills.
We do not condone the use of choke chains or pinch collars in our foster homes and endorse training methods that are positive-reward based. (See various resources by Karen Pryor, Pat Miller, Patricia McConnell, Ian Dunbar, for example.)
As the foster parent, you will most likely be asked to talk with prospective adopters (after all reference checks have been done) to determine whether the dog is an appropriate fit for the applicant's home. We depend on you to provide complete and accurate information to all potential adopters. We listen to you - you know your foster dog better than any of us.
If you feel that a particular applicant is not the right fit for your foster dog, we will find another applicant.
When the right home is found, we will work with you to make certain the dog gets into his or her new home, where she or he will be loved and treasured. You may be asked to help drive a portion of the way to help your foster dog start his or her journey to a new and better life, but that is coordinated by us and with your cooperation and input.
COST
Echo Dogs White Shepherd Rescue pays for all veterinary expenses that are provided by one of our approved veterinarians, and necessary direct costs of caring for the dog prior to adoption.
Contact info@echodogs.org for more information.
Still Want to Foster?
Complete a Foster Application Form.
