Fostering FAQ's
- Make yourself available - attend Mobile Adoptions; be willing to take your foster to a potential adopter so they,and their family can meet him/her.
- TAKE frequent pictures and promote your foster dog in engaging ways.
- Work regularly with your foster on leash skills, basic obedience, and confidence building.
- Keep the rescue updated as to your foster's progress so that we may recommend your foster to families that they may fit into.
How is the foster dog chosen for me?
LSBR volunteers will help you to choose the foster dog that works best for you and your family. We take into consideration the dogs currently in your home, if you have children and what their ages are, if you have cats, etc. Depending on your comfort level, you can take a foster that has already been evaluated and let a "seasoned" volunteer pull another dog from the shelters and kennels that have dogs waiting for us every day.
Am I responsible for paying for medical care?
We ask that you be available to take your foster to and from LSBR's vet clinic as needed or arrange for their transport; LSBR will cover the costs of vet care. Note that the vet visit must be arranged through LSBR so that we can effectively manage our costs and keep the visit within the network of vets that assist us.
If you are open to providing heartworm prevention/flea and tick preventative, this is always appreciated to help us keep our costs down, otherwise you will receive heartworm & flea medication in the mail monthly.
How do I introduce my foster to my dogs at home?
LSBR volunteers can discuss how to best introduce the dog into your pack at home. If you have a dominant dog at home, a slow introduction can be the best process to get everyone acquainted. This will lessen the initial anxiety (for you and the dogs). Sometimes taking the dogs on a walk right at first works well; or crating the new dog in your home and let the dogs smell and get to know each other before they are integrated.
What if my foster does not get along with my dogs?
To lessen your own personal anxiety, keep the dogs separated. Many volunteers have a problem with this as they want to be fair to their foster, as well as their dogs...and sometimes foster parents stop fostering because they have a hard to get along with dog at home and don't want to crate their foster all the time. But remember, having your foster crated in your home is a fate far better than what may have come to them at the shelter they came from. We want you to have a good foster experience with each and every foster dog, and will work with you on choosing the right dog for your family. If for some reason you do run into issues, please follow our guidance and be patient with us as we work with you in your situation.
Do I get to meet my foster's adoptive family?
Absolutely. Many of our volunteers prefer to be involved in the adoption process, after all - you are the one who knows the most about your foster.
How do I handle my foster dog being adopted?
Fostering can be emotionally challenging...when your foster dog gets adopted it is always bitter sweet. You are thrilled that your dog has found its forever family, but you are saddened that the dog you have grown to love immensley is leaving your own pack. Every volunteer goes through this same roller coaster; most get through it because they know there is another boxer that desperately needs them and this foster being adopted makes room for the next one in need. Getting to know the adoptive family prior to adoption, and staying in touch with them afterward will also help put you at ease as you see that your foster is adjusting beautifully.
Support?
fosters@lsbr.org