I need a mentor! I get my first one this weekend and I’m so nervous. Wondering if I’m doing the right thing, ect. Please tell me about your experiences, thanks!
Bless your heart! Thank you so much for opening your home and heart to a deserving pooch while he/she waits for a forever home.
I haven’t fostered, but I have gotten to know a few fosters and the biggest “problem” is they want to keep the doggies and sometimes they do!
In all seriousness, it is your job not only to give a dog lots of TLC and a safe haven but also to watch out for any potential behavior issues and health issues. Does pooch get along well with kids and other pets? Stuff like that to help make a good match in a forever home.
Good luck! keep us posted!
If I remember correctly don’t you have 2 dogs? I would say the biggest thing to consider is if your 2 dogs will accept a 3rd and if you can walk/exercise 3 dogs. I think fostering is great - while single I used to foster small animals (rabbits, hamsters, etc) for the SPCA b/c I was renting and couldn’t do dogs.
From friends that foster, I think much of the experience depends on the organization you foster for. Some allow you to determine when to take the animal to the vet and others will not let you go without pre-auth. I’ve heard of people having to take fosters to the emergency vet to save the dogs life and the rescue says - too bad we told you not to go without pre-auth. Some find it cheaper to euthanize than treat. It’s sad but true.
We cannot foster b/c our girl is very picky about who she will accept and not accept into the house. Of course, I would never be able to turn the dog over to a new owner - I get attached too easily. I want just about every big dog I see.
Best of Luck !
Actually, we have 3 of our own :shock: This all came about when I saw a dog that caught my eye, not actively looking, but she was so sweet! Well, she was adopted and it got me thinking maybe I should try fostering. My dogs get along great with other dogs and we have a huge fenced in yard. Worse case scenario, my friend that lives down the block could take him/her for a bit.
They want you to crate them for 8 or so hours during the day (because most adoptive families work during the day), and at night. My dogs are not crated unless both of us are out of the house. So really I’m looking at an AM feeding and let out, crate, evening out and exercise/play time, PM feeding, let out, and crate. Not too hard to handle I don’t think???
Well we picked up Chloe today and she’s doing ok. The lady forgot to grab the crate, so now I’m trying to find one w/o having to pay $100 for a new one. :wall: She makes our big, chunky dog look like a puppy!
Except for a few episodes of pacing and whining, she seems like she’s adjusting. She didn’t come from a shelter, she came directly from the home. So this all has to be very confusing for her. Poor thing. My dogs couldn’t care less really and except for being curious they’ve left her alone and she’s been using the beds and water dishes without an incident.
She looks so sad 
Oh, my gosh…she’s gorgeous. That look would just make me want to hug on her. I think she’ll be much happier once she realizes she’s loved. Have fun!
Poor baby! She is lovely but she does look sad! Hope you can cheer her up.
Bambi
Jessica, She’s beautiful! You are doing a great thing taking her in. Fosters make a huge difference in the adoptability of dogs. You might want to check your local Freecyle for a crate. I had one that was sitting in my garage for years. I didn’t even think of giving it away until I saw the local Lab rescue guy asking for big crates.
Good luck with her!!
Yeah, I posted on Freecycle as soon as we got home, nothing yet, Unfortunately our Freecycle hasn’t been that great lately. Only about 10 posts per day and the last 4 things I inquired about I never got replies on. Used to be that you couldn’t keep up both giving and receiving.
craigslist is good place toook for crate
It’s been a trying weekend due to the fact that we’ve had non-stop storms and she has storm anxiety. sigh The sun will come out… someday…
Oh, Jessica, she’s gorgeous. Good for you to be fostering. Maybe I can talk hubby into doing that too. I hope it works out for you and her.
oye I had to run out to a doctors appt today and I still haven’t got a hold of a crate for her. So I put her in the bathroom, lid down and everything pushed away from the edge of the counter. When I came home, I opened the door to a doggie sauna! The floor and her bed were soaking wet, and the mirror and windows were dripping with sweat. She must of been panting the whole time. Not to mention, she did this to the door… :doh:
Aw poor thing! Poor you too!
Cyrus had to wear a collar after eye surgery a couple years ago and when went in the bathroom the big ol’ collar closed the door on him and he was locked in all day.
Poor doggie! I could not believe how WET the whole room was! Hot, steamy, wet and HAIRY!
Now we have matching bathroom doors!:cheering:
Hahaha! Gotta love em! :roflhard:
Hi, we’ve fostered twice and are waiting for #3! I’m so glad you’re fostering, it’s a wonderful thing!
Poor both of you. I learned that lesson, closed doors freak them out. Best if you can to leave them in the kitchen and close off with a baby gate or whatever you can fashion. I’m sorry that happened to you, I have 2 doors that my own dogs (not fosters) have messed up.
BTW, she may have separation anxiety and is definitely just wondering if THIS is her final home. I’ve heard it’s good to have a toy you give them ONLY when you leave and you pick up when you come home, so they actually are supposed to start looking forward to your leaving because they get that toy. Best if it’s an indestructible Kong with a treat inside. Let us know how you and Chloe are doing! God bless you for fostering.
It may not be possible to crate every dog, so I think the rescue should be more flexible about that. I’ll be more than glad to help answer any questions you have about fostering. I’ll PM you my email address too.
I’m waiting to see if we’ll get a little girl to be our foster, probably a forever foster as she is old with health issues. I had to give a name to the groomer for an appointment so I said Ladybug. How’s yours doing?
Here’s her pic from the pound. I’m in love with that face already. Hope we get her.
