Fostering Hope

Some dogs need fostering because they're ill. Some people
foster dogs to find a good match for their dog.

“I really want a/another dog, but I’m not sure I’m ready, yet.”

Music to my ears.  Not because it’s an opportunity to get a dog a home, but because the statement implies that there’s been some thought put  into what a dog needs and how that fits into the person’s life.  As eager as I am to sing the praises of having a dog, I also don’t want dogs and owners to be miserable because it wasn’t the right time, nor do I want to see a dog being sent to a shelter for the same reason.  But how does one know if he or she is ready for canine companionship?  Or, if there are already dogs in the household, if adding another dog is the right thing to do?

One way to “test drive” if you’re ready to be a dog owner or not is to foster a dog from a rescue.  Generally, fostering requires a person to bring a dog into their home, care for it according to the organization’s requirements, and then to either return the dog to the organization after certain criteria are met or to care for the dog until it is adopted.  What it comes down to, is that the dog is only in the home temporarily.  For potential dog owners, this gives an opportunity for the foster to decide if having a dog works for their lifestyle. 

Sometimes the screening process to become a dog foster can make the dog owning decision simple (if there is no screening, do not foster with that organization. Help finding organizations can be found here.) Depending on the type of fostering, different organizations will have different requirements.  They will ask a variety of questions about the kind of housing in which the person is living, family members, work hours, and experience with dogs among other things.  These are usually the same kinds of questions that are important to dog ownership.  Don’t be afraid to ask why the organization is asking a question.  The answer can offer a different perspective of what having a dog requires.  It might also be a question specific to fostering.  Don’t be offended if fostering isn’t a good match.  Again, ask questions to gain insight into why, and perhaps apply again when the situation changes. 

That doesn’t mean that someone who’s never owned a dog can’t foster, but again, it depends on the needs of the organization.  An organization that needs fosters for dogs with behavior issues will need a foster who is experienced with training dogs, and usually within the organizations approved methods.  Some organizations don’t have actual facilities, so they might need someone who is willing and able to house a perfectly delightful dog until it finds its forever home.  Some organizations need someone to care for a sick dog until it is healthy enough to go up for adoption.

Fostering can give dogs an opportunity to blossom and
then find their forever home.

Fostering isn’t just for first time dog owners or people looking to add a new dog.  Fostering can also be an option for people of limited financial means.  Most of the time, the rescue organization will provide food and medical care for the foster.  Because dogs can live to be 15 years old or longer, some people feel that they’re too old to get a dog because the animal might outlive them.  So again, fostering could get a dog into the home, but the foster “parent” can rest assured that the dog’s future is secure.  Fostering can also offer options for people who travel frequently, but can house a dog for a week or two at a time.

One of the best things about fostering is being able to help out an animal that otherwise might not have an opportunity for adoption.  There’s a pleasure in knowing you’ve made a difference in a life Even if the foster dog isn’t a good match for your home, the information taken from the experience can help the foster dog find its perfect match.  It’s also a step towards learning a little more about ourselves and when it’s time to look for the perfect canine match for us.