Everyone can use a friend sometimes, and that includes our pets! Taking in a foster pup
allows your dog to make new connections and improve their socialization skills. If they’re both energetic pups, it has the added benefit of giving them a buddy to tire each other out with regular play sessions.
It Can Be a Trial Run for a New Family Addition
If you’ve been
considering adding a new pet to your home, but aren’t sure you’re ready to make a lifelong commitment,
fostering is a wonderful way to get that experience for a short while.
If you’ve been wanting to raise puppies, why not consider fostering a nursing mom and her litter? That helps soothe the desire for a puppy without adding to the amount of dogs needing homes.
Fostering Helps Save Lives
The absolute best benefit of fostering is knowing you are helping save a life. Many rescues have limited space, and can only take in as many dogs as they have foster homes to place them in.
By fostering, you’re assisting them with taking in more dogs. There’s nothing better than seeing a scared rescue grow their confidence and learn to be part of a family!
You Can Make New Friends in the Rescue Community
The rescue community is
one of the greatest examples of selflessness I’ve seen. They’re often
willing to drop everything to run and help a dog in need. They help that dog heal, work on training, and then
help them find their forever homes.
By volunteering to foster a dog, you’re part of this wonderful community and can even make lifelong friends!
Learn How to Get Started Fostering
Depending on where you live, there may be a number of rescue organizations near you. To locate one, start by searching for nearby rescues, or look on Petfinder for suggestions.
Once you find a rescue, visit their website or Facebook page for details on their process, and then fill out the required paperwork to get started.
Determine What Fostering Involves
Each rescue organization runs things differently, so it’s definitely recommended to discuss specifics before committing to fostering. You’ll want to review if food/medicines are covered, as well as if a crate, leash, food bowls, etc. are provided.
You also want to find out how transportation to vet visits and adoption events is handled. It’s important to make sure you are all on the same page to avoid communication issues.
The main thing you’re giving your foster is
lots of love, while helping them
learn skills to be a wonderful member of their future family. if you don’t feel up to the challenge of a puppy, there are often plenty of
senior dogs available.
What If You Can’t Bear to Give Up Your Foster Dog?
It’s true, having to say goodbye to your foster dog is brutally tough. Just know you did everything you could to set them up for their forever home. If you’re truly in love with your rescue pup, let your organization know as soon as possible to discuss keeping them. It’s called a foster fail, and it happens!
Saying goodbye to your current foster is hard, but keeping your home open for future foster dogs is wonderful and makes the process easier when you know you can go on to save yet another life.
Have you ever fostered a dog before? Share your story with us below!
