FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW LONG ARE DOGS IN FOSTER HOMES?

It completely depends on the dog and situation: the average stay in a foster home is two weeks to four weeks. However, some dogs stay only a few days while others, recovering from an injury, may stay for a few months.

CAN I ADOPT MY FOSTER DOG?

YES! As long as foster parents meet the shelter requirements that are necessary for adoption, foster parents have first choice to adopt their foster dog. They will need to go through the adoption process with the shelter, just like any other adoption.

HOW ARE FOSTER DOGS ADOPTED?

Photos and stories of all dogs in foster homes are posted on Petfinder.com where the public can view dogs available for adoption. They’re advised to email or call someone on the Foster Care Program Team to inquire about a dog and arrange to meet the dog and foster parent.

Foster dogs are promoted at special events throughout the year. Foster parents may participate in various shelter programs.

Foster parents need to stay in contact with the Foster Care Coordinator through email or a phone call at least once a week for up dates on the foster dog. If someone is interested in adopting a foster dog that has been placed with you, the Coordinator or team member will contact you and arrange a meeting or phone call between the two of you. Your name and number will never be given out to perspective adopters. Sometimes foster parents wonder whether adopters are best suited for the dog, or if they meet the shelter requirements to adopt the dog. There is a questionnaire included in the manual for the foster parent to use. After asking the questions and if you are still in doubt, the foster parents simply will tell the potential adopter that there are other interested people to meet before foster parents and staff will make their decision.

If the foster parent has deemed the adopter acceptable, the foster parent will tell the adopter to contact the shelter to finalize all of the paper work. Then the foster parent will contact the Coordinator and the meeting of the adopter and foster parent will then be arranged to meet at the shelter. If the adoption was done through PETFINDER and the dog needs to be transported, then the shelter will handle the transportation.

All foster dogs, while in a foster home, are still the property of Grant County Animal Outreach. The foster parent may also help to find the foster dog a new home. If you are able to find an acceptable new home, the new adopters still need to go through the adoption process through the shelter. At any time, by no means, are foster parents to give a foster dog away or arrange for them to go to a rescue. This will be done by the shelter.

Foster dogs never have to go back to the shelter for long periods of time, only to have vaccinations and medical evaluations. They can be adopted straight from the foster parent’s home, if they have already been altered, using the forms included in the back of the manual as well.

IF I HAVE MY OWN ANIMALS, CAN I FOSTER DOGS?

It is always a health risk to expose your animal to other animals, walking at parks, vet waiting rooms or other common animal areas. The health risk is minimal if the foster parents’ animals are current on their vaccination, maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, and are not elderly or very young – and therefore their immune systems are not compromised. If you or someone in your household is immune-compromised, consult your doctor before fostering since working or living with animals exposes humans to a group of diseased called zoonoses. A zoontic disease is defined as a disease transmitted from animals to humans and also from humans to animals.

To find out more about them talk to your veterinarian. Proper hygiene, preventative measures and an understanding of these illnesses can reduce the risk of disease.

WHAT SUPPLIES ARE NEEDED TO FOSTER?

The shelter will provide you with all the supplies and equipment needed throughout your foster experience (see page 8). The Foster Care Program receives donated items regularly, and the Help the Animals Fund pays for vet care and medicine, if needed. Foster parents just provide space, basic training and love for the dog.

DO I NEED TO HAVE PRIOR MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE OR EXPERTISE?

No, but you may be asked to dispense medicine to your foster dog so you will need to be comfortable following veterinarian’s instructions if fostering a sick or injured dog or puppy.

WHAT IF MY FOSTER DOG BECOMES SICK?

If you have any questions regarding the health of you foster dog, contact the shelter. Once a veterinary visit has been authorized, you can make an appointment with one of the veterinarians listed in this manual. These clinics bill the shelter directly so there is no cost to foster parents. Be sure to review the section for “VETERINARY CARE” in this manual.

HOW MUCH TIME IS NEEDED TO FOSTER?

Commitment and responsibilities depend on the individual dog and situation. Dogs heading to a foster home have often been through much stress. It is essential that foster parents understand that moving the dog from the shelter to the foster home is also very stressful and emotional. They depend on the foster parents for the patience and guidance through this adjustment period, which lasts anywhere from three days to three weeks. Don’t give up on your foster dog!

HOW CAN I MAKE MY FOSTER DOG BECOME MORE ADOPTABLE?

Our homeless dogs benefit greatly from the exercise, basic training, special love and attention you give them. Providing them with basic training and manners will increase their adoptability. Shy dogs will benefit from your patience, routine and slowly exposing them to new people to build their confidence. Puppies need a lot of love, attention and hand holding from humans to develop properly and feel secure. Puppies need socialization with other dogs or cats in your household.

WHEN DO PUPPIES RETURN TO THE SHELTER?

If you are fostering puppies, you can either continue to foster until they are adopted or you may return them to the shelter at 8 weeks of age. If your pup is old enough but developmentally slow, under socialized or undernourished, you may keep the pup as long as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that puppies between 4-5 months of age are highly marketable to prospective families who visit the shelter.

ARE FOSTER DOGS EVER EUTHANIZED?

Much energy, love, time and vet care is devoted to our foster dogs, and the shelter is committed to finding homes for ALL the dogs. If a foster parent decides to return the foster dog to the shelter before a permanent home is found, foster parents can feel confident that the shelter will NOT euthanize the dog. If the dog becomes sick or the shelter becomes overcrowded, the shelter will find him/her another foster home. If, after medical attention, theses dogs are too young or too weak to heal and are suffering, then the shelter staff will humanely euthanize these animals. Fortunately, most dogs in foster care heal beautifully.