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By mikem@thecolumbiastar.com | on June 09, 2022

Robin Ebert’s foster dog, Puck, had a broken leg and had to have physical therapy, swimming. Robin’s fostering involved insuring Puck was taken to his medical appointments in addition to normal care.

We see the social media posts: “Rescue needed ASAP;” “Dog needs help ASAP;” ”Dog must have foster in 24 hours.” There are so many pets in shelters and rescues that it is almost overwhelming. There are not enough kennels and spaces for all the pets that need sheltering. Aside from adopting a dog that needs a home, the assistance that is most needed from rescue groups and shelters is foster homes.

June is National Foster a Pet Month. Fostering is one of the most rewarding volunteer jobs available. When you foster an animal you prepare the animal for a successful adoption or ready the animal for adoption by caring for it during medical recovery. Situations such as a dog suffering from kennel stress, a mother and litter of puppies, puppies that need socialization, or senior dogs are examples of the types of animals that need foster homes. A good foster home can help ensure that animal’s successful placement in a permanent home.

What makes the best foster homes? Good fostering is more than just housing and feeding an animal until it is adopted. A good foster home works closely with the rescue or shelter to identify the type of home that would be the best fit for their foster animal, to learn the animal’s personality, likes, and dislikes and to help the animal adjust to life in a home situation. Foster situations can last from just a few weeks until several months or longer, especially if the animal has medical needs.

Megan King was careful to introduce her foster dog properly to her own dog. She introduced yellow Labrador Daphne to her own black Labrador Abby on neutral ground first and kept them separated until they got used to each other.

While fostering an animal is an extremely worthwhile endeavor, there are several things to consider before committing to fostering. Do the other animals in your home welcome newcomers? Do you have small children who may scare a foster animal or be too rough? (Small children in a home may not understand the proper way to interact, or not interact, with a foster animal and the children or the dog may be at risk for injury.) Are the other family members in agreement with fostering? Do you have an appropriate space to allow the foster animal to retreat when needed? If the foster home already has animals, the home situation should have a variety of rooms where animals can be separated when needed and plenty of management tools like crates and baby gates.

Amber Dawn discovered her dog, Newton, has a special affinity and skill for helping her foster puppies and kittens.

Before you agree to foster, have a conversation with the shelter or rescue to understand what support you will get from them. Do they provide food and medicine? Do they provide a crate, bed, or cage for the animal? If you become unable to foster or need to take a trip, will they make arrangements to provide relief? What are their rules for you? The shelter or rescue may have a legal agreement you need to sign.

Once your family happily agrees to foster and you are satisfied with the arrangements with the shelter or rescue, get ready to receive your foster animal. If the animal’s health has not been established, set aside a place in your home to quarantine the animal until it can be examined by a veterinarian. Provide a quiet place with comfortable bedding for your foster pet. It can take several weeks for some animals to feel safe in new environments.

Olivia Cabrero fostered Fezco who was part of 32 dogs in a hoarding situation. He was eventually adopted by an animal control officer who had assisted in the seizure of the animals.

Some foster animals may have come from situations of neglect or abuse or as a stray. They may take longer to feel comfortable in this new home. Do not force them to interact with you; give them some space.

If you are fostering a dog, there are several things you can do to increase the likelihood your foster dog may be adopted. One of the first things an adopter may ask about is the status of the dog’s housetraining. You will want to begin work on this as soon as possible. Crate training helps with house training and can be a great management tool, but many dogs are fearful or stressed in crates. It may take time and patience to gradually introduce a crate.

Begin to teach your foster dog a few basic obedience skills such as sit, down, stay, leave it, and coming when called. Walking nicely on lead is harder to teach, but at least get your foster dog used to a collar or harness and leash. Even if the skills are not perfected, a person is more likely to adopt a dog that understands a few basic cues. Teaching a dog to sit and wait for his meal or to go out the door are great starts for a well- mannered dog. If you teach a cute trick or two, that is icing on the adoption cake.

Senior dogs do not fare well in kennels and shelters. Foster homes are especially important for them. Ashley Lyerly is fostering senior sisters Thelma and Louise.

Remember the animal rules in your house may be different than a future adopter’s. It’s best not to allow the foster dog to get on furniture or sleep on a bed in case the future adopter does not allow it; the adjustment would be very difficult for the dog.

If you discover behavior problems such as food guarding, aggressive behavior towards people or other dogs, alert the rescue or shelter immediately so they can arrange for behavior modification from a qualified force-free trainer.

Get the word out among your friends and neighbors about the animal you are fostering and post lots of adorable pictures on social media.

And remember, it’s not just dogs that need fostering. There is a need for foster homes for cats and kittens, rabbits and other small mammals, and even horses (if you have the facility).

Diane Nero fostered Caesar who came to her in horrible condition. Caesar became a “foster failure” and was adopted by Nero.

DeeAnn Jones’s current foster dog is 14 years old. Jones has fostered 187 dogs to date.

It’s not just dogs that need foster homes. Ryan and Emily-Rose Allred have fostered different animals, including this bunny, for Cullen’s Archangel Rescue.

Betsy Shortle’s current sweet foster, Zeus, is recovering with her after being hit by a car.

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