Questions About Fostering

[Ril-Mas]

I have a couple of New Year’s resolutions this year and one is to do more in the boxer community to help rescues. What I’d REALLY like to do is foster, but with 3 boxers now as it is and with Mason being who he is I don’t think that’s the best option right now. So, for now I’m looking at making monthly monetary donations to my local rescue(s). I hope that’ll make enough of a difference until I’m able to do more. I do however have some questions about fostering so when the time comes I’ll have a better idea on how it works.

1. For those of you already involved in rescue, would you say that foster homes are more critical right now than homes who actually adopt a rescue? I’m thinking they probably are just because by fostering you’re helping more dogs until the right home comes along. I just want to get your views on this.

2. I’m just starting to research fostering so I don’t know much on how it works. What happens when you take in a foster and they don’t get along with your permanent dogs? Do they try to get a different foster to you or do you typically have to try to find a way to make it work?

3. One of the rescue sites I looked at last night said that the foster homes are responsible for food, treats, toys, and that the rescue handles the medical bills. What happens if a foster dog is injured while in your care? Boxers play very roughly and injuries do happen from time to time, would it then be the foster homes responsibility to cover medical? I’m assuming a rescue would be ok if the foster home offered to pay for the medical bills which would relieve some pressure on the rescue? I don’t know if that would be considered a legal issue or not.

4. Our backyard is fenced in, but it’s mostly the chicken wire like fencing which isn’t very durable. We know it’s not all that durable, but we’ve yet to have a problem with it and we do supervise our dogs outside at all times. We also work full time, but are able to come home in the middle of the day to let the dogs out for a while. Still, they’re alone for the rest of the day. Do you think those issues would disqualify us as being a suitable foster home?

5. While you’re fostering, are you screening potential homes or does the rescue do that while you’re providing the care and training?

6. Last question for now. I get attached to animals WAY too quickly. I know that fostering can be rewarding, but at the same time I know that it can be very difficult letting them go. How do you guys cope with this? Does it get easier the longer you do it? That emotional attachment part is going to be the biggest hurdle for me.

As a side note, I do live in the same home as my parents. I rent the lower level from them. It’s a living arrangement that has been serving us and the dogs very well. All of us WILL be on the same page if and when we decide to go forward with volunteering. I spoke to my mother briefly this morning about her thoughts on fostering and it sounds like she’s open to it, but has the same concerns that I do (Mason, the emotional attachment, etc). I’m sure once I get more research in and explain it all to her, she’ll be willing to do it.

[marki.s70]

All the question's I have wanted to ask. Excited to hear the answer's

[af_wx_wife]

I want to start fostering once we are in our forever home. Sounds funny saying that but truth is we live in military housing right now as we have avoided the biggest purchase till hubby retires & we know where we will live out the rest of our lives. LOL I'm interested in the answers to these questions as well.

[WholeLottaBoxers]

I'll chime in tonite. Great questions!! I gotta go Hanukkah shopping before hubby kills me. LOL

[Ril-Mas]

Anybody???

I did think of another question too.

If you foster a dog who gets adopted and for whatever reason it doesn't work out with the adopting family and he's returned back to the rescue. Does the original foster home get the first call to see if they can take that dog back in as a foster?

[WholeLottaBoxers]

i'm planning on getting back to this tonite. been away from home the last two nites with stuff going on. sorry!

[Ril-Mas]

Oh no problem! I'm popping an email off to my local rescue too because I know that all rescues probably have their own set of rules anyway. I'm just really anxious to learn more about this so I can hopefully start planning.

[Mom2Titan]

I'm interested in hearing the answers too

[Ril-Mas]

I heard back from one of my local rescues and here are the answers they provided. I'm just summarizing their answers, it's not word for word.

Foster homes are more in need because times are tough, money is tight, and the dogs are always the first to go in these scenarios.

If problems arise, typically they'll try to move the foster, but it most likely won't be an immediate fix. Most transports happen over the weekends so it may not happen until the following weekend.

The rescue will still pay for the medical bills in this case. It is not a problem if the foster home wants to make a donation to the rescue or pay some/all of a medical bill for their foster.

Fenced in yards are not required, but it's more or less a "know the dog" situation. Some dogs do fine on just a leashed walk. Others would benefit from the fenced in yard to run and play in.

The rescue screens the homes, but the foster will speak directly to the potential adopting family to feel them out. If there are any red flags or any reason why the foster home feels the adopting family isn't the right match, it needs to be communicated with the rescue and they go from there.

The original foster family doesn't always get the dog back if they're returned to the rescue. They look at where the dog is, if the previous foster home already has another foster, and if there's an open foster home closer to the dog's current location. All things considered they do what's best for the dog.

As for getting emotionally attached to the foster dog, this specific rescue group does not allow for foster families to adopt their foster dog. They feel (and I agree) that by doing this it kind of defeats the purpose of fostering since you're now not available to help foster more dogs. Foster homes are allowed to adopt OTHER dogs in the rescue, just not their specific foster.

I hope these answers help you guys who were also waiting for answers. I'm still waiting to hear back from another local rescue.

[af_wx_wife]

Thanks, this is all good to know. Like you said, all rescues are different but this will be some basic guidelines.