Every dog deserves to be loved in a good home — not suffering from loneliness in a shelter. If you’re someone who wants to help improve the lives of the dogs in shelters, you may want to consider fostering. Everything to know before fostering a dog is in this information. Foster is similar to adoption, but the dog would only stay with you short-term (unless you fall in love with them and choose to go the adoption route after all). If you’re not in a place to add another member to your family permanently, foster is a great option. Here’s everything to know before fostering a dog and embarking on the gratifying journey of fostering animals:

1. Find Local Shelters and Rescue Groups

Firstly,  you’ll need to find some local shelters or rescue groups that offer foster programs. Not every shelter does this, so it’s essential to research the shelter and its program offerings. Different shelters have different rules and regulations for fostering their animals. Check out Petfinder and the ASPCA to view lists of rescues and shelters actively looking for foster parents in your area. Buckaroos has foster opportunities at all times, so please contact us if you are interested!

2. Visit a Few Places Before You Decide

When you choose to foster a dog, you decide to work closely with the shelter or rescue group where they currently reside. The shelter will likely actively work towards finding the dog a fur-ever home. You want to ensure that you work well with the employees at the shelter; meeting with different shelters will allow you to decide which shelter is the best fit for you. A shelter should make sure to answer all your questions so you’re prepared with everything to know before fostering a dog. Choose a quality shelter with good reviews and a good reputation

3. Make Sure You’re Prepared With Everything To Know Before Fostering A Dog

Fostering dogs can be a lot of hard work and incredibly rewarding. You should be well informed about the process before committing to fostering. 

Best Friends Animal Society expects doggy foster parents to provide the following: 

• A healthy and safe environment
• Transportation to and from the adoption center and all vet appointments as needed
• Socialization and cuddle time to help teach dogs positive family and pet relationships
• Lots of exercise and positive stimulation to help them develop into great dogs

Kelly Duer, foster care specialist for Maddie’s Fund in California, spoke to Farmer’s Dog Digest about the importance of being prepared for everything to know before fostering a dog: “We’re realizing more and more that fostering is the best way to take care of homeless animals, so many organizations are making sure that anyone who chooses to foster a dog has everything they need to make the process as seamless as possible — for both the dog and the human.” 

4. Complete the Application Process

After choosing the shelter or rescue group you’d like to work with, it’s time to submit your application! Fostering applications are usually pretty comprehensive and ask personal questions — but don’t worry! These questions are necessary for them to pair you with dog(s) that will be a good fit for your home. Every home is different, so it’s imperative that you provide accurate information that gives them a glimpse into your life. It’s also necessary to think about how much quality time you can give the dog. Accurately completing the application is a critical step to ensuring that you have a fantastic fostering experience with a dog who will mesh well with your family!  

5. Pick Up Your Foster Pup!

After the shelter or rescue organization has found a dog who needs a temporary home that would be a good fit for your home — it’s time to go pick them up! Make sure you’re prepared with everything to know before fostering a dog. Before you show your foster dog what a real home feels like, please ensure you’re prepared with the necessary products. You must have a proper doggy bed, food, food and water bowls, some toys, a collar and leash, poop bags, a crate, bedding, and grooming supplies.

Since your foster dog will have spent a lot of time in a shelter, they’re probably going to go through an adjustment period. If you’re looking for a little extra help during your time fostering, you could look for places like us that will help shape them into the best dogs they can be. We offer dog training and dog grooming services that will benefit your foster dog’s physical and behavioral health. Fostering a pet is an extremely rewarding experience — your family will act as a much-needed stepping stone on the dog’s journey to find their fur-ever home.