Why Foster? Tips for New Dog Fosters
by Sage Lefkowitz
Six Reasons to Foster:
Napping Pups - Mandy & Allie
Lander Pet Connection Fosters (adopted)
Pets can make huge progress in foster care. It’s unbelievable how a pet can transform with a few days of love and human contact.
Fostering prepares the animal for adoption. It helps them acclimate to at-home life, as many are found as strays.
Fostering builds trust. It shows them love, kindness, and compassion. Many have been abused by a previous owner and will take time to trust people again.
Fostering can change the way they behave and grow. Fostering can reduce aggression toward other animals and people.
Looking to adopt, but not ready to commit? Fostering is a great way to see if your lifestyle can include a dog/cat. This is what I did when I first wanted a dog, I fostered to see what it would be like and if I could accept this huge responsibility.
Last but not least, fostering saves lives. Shelters and rescues often do not have the necessary space to house all the pets that come in. A viable foster program can save hundreds of lives a year for a given shelter or rescue. Fosters are the heroes of a rescue or animal shelter.
Want to Foster? Don’t Know Where to Start?
Things to consider before picking up your foster dog:
Mandy & Zoro, Lander Pet Connection Fosters (adopted)
Might want to buy waterproof protectors for your furniture – couches, beds, chairs, etc.
Cover the dog beds with blankets – in case your pup makes a mess on the bed; it’s easier to clean. Highly recommend washable dog beds.
Confirm that you understand the full care of the foster – food, medication, etc. Be sure to inform the rescue ahead of time what kind of pet you are willing to foster.
Crate-train your foster dog – If done correctly training a dog to a crate can give your foster dog a safe haven to retreat to when needed. It should not be used as a long-term confinement nor a punishment, but can be there for short-term stays and make your pup more adoptable.
Might want to pick up your rugs – if you have rugs that might be ruined, Ruggable rugs are a great washable option if you have a puppy that’s in the process of being potty trained.
Leash training – try to put a leash on your pup as much as possible when walking them if they are new to this.
Provide lots of toys, bones, balls, etc. – get bones that do not splinter, and appropriate size and type of toys for your particular foster dog. Do some research! Bones can crack teeth. Toys/balls can be a choking hazard.
For non-potty-trained dogs–Wee Wee Pads – these are good if you are fostering 0–3 month-old puppies, Otherwise, encourage frequent trips outside to let them know where they should ‘go’; it can be a challenge to untrain them from going inside on a pad.
Follow the leader – not necessary, but helpful if you have your own dog or an older dog with good habits that the foster can copy/follow.
Most importantly, confirm your household is onboard – fostering takes patience and everyone needs to be on the same page.
Next Steps?
Contact your local rescue to see if they are looking for fosters, then complete their foster application, usually on their website.
Allie, Lander Pet Connection Foster (Adopted)
Mandy, Lander Pet Connection Foster (Adopted)
Foster, Mandy with Sadie & Cesar in the car
