| If you have ever watched animal rescue shows on | | | | require a special diet or medication. You may have to |
| television, you have probably seen some of the sick | | | | take your foster pet to the veterinarian for |
| or injured dogs or puppies be placed with a foster | | | | treatment of injuries. There are some other things to |
| caregiver. These dedicated volunteers provide much | | | | consider before you volunteer for fostering. Do you |
| needed help to dogs recovering from their ordeal, | | | | have children? Are there other pets in your home? |
| whether its from physical abuse and neglect or lack | | | | The workers at the shelter or the rescue will be able |
| of socialization. Do you think you could foster a dog | | | | to match you with a pet that will be the best fit in |
| in need? | | | | your household. Keep in mind that some of the dogs |
| Fostering a dog is a big responsibility and requires a | | | | in need of fostering may not be house trained or |
| real commitment from the whole family. Anyone who | | | | have even the most basic manners. This will be an |
| wants to foster a dog or a puppy should have some | | | | additional challenge for you to take on. |
| experience with dogs. Dogs that have been abused | | | | Its a good thing for a foster dog to just learn how |
| or neglected are often the most difficult to foster. | | | | to part of a normal home. You will be surprised how |
| They have fear and trust issues and will need | | | | after a slow start, the pup you're fostering, will be at |
| someone who knows how to slowly, gently | | | | ease as a member of the family. This transformation |
| encourage their confidence and teach them to be | | | | is what foster caregivers are striving for. There is a |
| social and how to play. Certain breeds will require | | | | true sense of satisfaction in giving these dogs a |
| foster caregivers with specific experience. Naturally, | | | | chance to live a happy, healthy life with a loving |
| very large dogs or dogs that have a tendency | | | | family. |
| toward aggression when afraid, will not be suitable | | | | It takes a certain kind of person to be able to invest |
| for homes with young children or other pets. These | | | | time and love in a neglected or injured dog, and see |
| dogs will need a person who is able to be firm yet | | | | him become healed and healthy, then to give them |
| gentle in handling behavior issues. | | | | over to another family. Animal foster caregivers |
| You will need to learn specific things that may | | | | volunteer knowing that they will fall in love with their |
| frighten the dog and help him to learn to adapt to | | | | temporary pet, then turn them over to a permanent |
| different triggers. For example, he may be afraid of | | | | home. These volunteers make all the difference in |
| your other dogs loud barking or of thunder. He may | | | | shelters and rescue being able to find homes for |
| feel afraid if there are a lot of people around him. He | | | | many of the dogs brought to them. Many of the |
| can slowly be desensitized to the things that he | | | | dogs not suitable for adoption when they arrive, |
| fears. This will allow him to be a good candidate for | | | | would likely be euthanized. |
| adoption. | | | | If you think you have it in your heart to foster a dog |
| It is important that you have an appropriately sized | | | | in need, contact your local humane society or a local |
| house, for the size of the dog you will foster. | | | | breed rescue. While it can be challenging, it is also a |
| Someone will need to be home during the day and | | | | very rewarding experience. |
| have time to spend with the pup. The dog may | | | | |