I’m begging for fosters…
I need fosters who will take old, young, sick, healthy, injured, able-bodied, cute, ugly, highly adoptable, difficult to adopt, big, small, active, couch potato, head-cases, and mentally stable dogs. I need fosters who will understand that every single solitary dog deserves a chance at living whether he is eight weeks old or eight years old. Whether she is psycho adorable cute or is missing teeth, has one eye and who has no fur. They all deserve a chance to live a life full of love, safety, compassion, and mercy – regardless of what breed they are, what they look like, or how old they are.
But I need fosters to do it. Remember this is temporary. So even if the dog is not a dog that you would normally adopt, that’s OK! Because you’re not keeping this dog. You are only the bridge between their old life and the new. You are going to be the one that teaches them, for the first time, what love feels like. You will be their first taste of good food that’s not out of a garbage can. You will be the first soft bed they ever slept in. You will be the hand that comforts , instead of the fist that punches. It will be the most difficult job at times but it will always be the most rewarding. These dogs will fall passionately, crazy, head over heels in love with you. And a lot of times you with them. Sometimes it will be easy, and other times it will challenge every part of you. But in the end you will have saved a life. Always always always, you will have saved a life. You will be the one to transform them. How powerful is that? No matter how easy or how challenging they are, you will walk away changed for the better. Always always always changed for the better.
My fosters will tell you that we are an incredible group. We support each other, celebrate victories together and mourn the losses together. Everybody has each other’s back meaning you will not be doing this alone. You will be constantly supported by an entire family of people that will be there for you.
If you are interested in Fostering, now is the time to step up. There are so many dogs that I’m trying to prevent from hitting the shelters and the only way I can do that is with fosters. A lot of these dogs will have no chance if they go to the shelter so I need to prevent that.
We’re excited to have you!
I am so excited at the prospect of you joining our Foster Family! With our fostering program, we provide for 100% of all vetting care, treatment, vaccines, medication, and flea/tick/heartworm preventative. I do ask that you be available to take him/her to any vet appts. I will coordinate that according to your schedule and deal directly with the vet in setting up those appointments. If I have any donated items – such as toys, food, bedding, bowls, crates, leashes/collars, etc – I will gladly give them to you. If I do not have those items, I ask that you provide them and you can reuse them future fosters. You do NOT have to give any items to the new adoptive family. I completely understand this is an added cost to you and there are some people who cannot or do not want to take on that financial part of fostering. RDR is a 501c3, so all of your expenses are tax deductible, so keep ALL of your receipts. But again – if I have it, I will give it you.
I will also be responsible for posting and screening for their new home. All you have to do is provide the loving, safe, nurturing environment. I do have trainers/behaviorists who volunteer their time and advice to us – so if you have any issue with your foster, please email me and I will put you directly in touch with them. If for any reason you cannot take care of your foster dog at any time, I will move them as quickly as possible but I ask that you keep in mind that RDR is 100% foster based with no shelter facility. If I do not have an immediate foster family open to move your foster dog, I ask that you be understanding and patient while I work to find placement. I promise to move them as quickly as possible. If it is a matter of safety, I would move them into a kennel/boarding facility.
The only time I would ask you to meet a family is when they are 100% approved. Nearly everyone emails asking to meet the dogs. Your home would look like Grand Central Station if I permitted everyone who wanted to meet them right away! So only APPROVED families will meet them. At that point in the adoption process, if the meet and greet goes well, they can adopt them right then. A lot of meet and greet days are also adoption day for a lot of families. For that day, I will make sure that you are emailed the adoption contract for them. Prior to that day, I will have spoken to the family and reviewed the contract and adoption fee, explained any medical issues if any, reviewed the instructions for registering their dog’s microchip, and other information. The day after adoption day, I mail out an adoption packet to the family with all of that same info (minus the adoption contract which you will have) and also with their dog’s medical information. After adoption day, I ask that you mail out the contract and adoption fee to me.
With regards to WHO you can foster – basically any dog you would like. Puppies, adults, young, old, special needs or no needs, big, small, certain breeds etc. On Facebook I have a closed, private page only for my fosters and volunteers. It is there that I would post my needs to the group to see if anyone can step up to foster. Once approved, I would add you to that group and then you can see everything that is going on within the rescue and see which dogs still need foster. It’s also a great way to get to know everyone!
Foster turned adoptions
At times, my fosters decide to adopt the dog they are taking care of. As a courtesy, I give my fosters “first dibs” which means if they decided to adopt, I would give them preference over any family that I am in the process of approving. Just so you know, the adoption fee would still apply as that is a small way to help offset some of the expenses needed to get these dogs ready for adoption.
In preparation for bringing your new foster into your home, please read this article. If you’re bringing a new puppy into your home, please read this article.
One final thing – in order to foster, ALL (dogs and cats) of your pets need to be current on vaccines. Even if your cat is an “indoor cat”. Because of the exposure your own animals will have, your dogs will need to also be current on Bordatella and Lepto vaccines.
Please contact us if you have any questions. I look forward to having you as part of our team!
