Fostering

trudiha

My beloved rottie was PTS last week. The whole family is missing him like crazy but it has hit my other dog hardest, he's moaping around, off his food and he seems unwilling to spend any time in the garden alone, he seems much less confident than he was when his wingman was here.

I'd really like another dog but my partner is much less keen to take on the financial commitment of a large breed dog. Keen to find a compromise, we're talking about fostering for a rescue.

Does anyone have any experience of dog fostering? What should we ask the rescue? What are the drawback and disadvantages of fostering?

Many thanks for your replies.

lynnemcf

I am sure there will be a couple of dog rescue places near to you. Ring them and ask about fostering or helping out at kennels. I know Dogs Trust welcome volunteers, you need to attend a training session and then you can turn up when you like and walk a dog (or two). When I was looking for a boarding kennel for my pup, I found a company local to me who was looking for people to board dogs in their own home. It was either day care of holiday care, and you got paid!

orlao

In the past (before full time work got in the way) I've fostered large breed dogs. I also had 3 cats and 2 JRTs at the time.

It is very rewarding but also hard work - I tended to get the teenage hooligans that had been given in because they were out of control, no longer cute and lacking discipline. They usually stayed for 2 - 4 weeks for assessment, neutering and a bit of basic training. Young dogs were usually in demand but were hard to match to the right home because they needed quite a lot of training and consistency.

I loved it but I love training and tbh if they had stayed much longer I would have found it difficult to give them up . My cats would just remove themselves from the vicinity if they dog was OTT with them and it never took them long to train a dog that messing with them came under the category of 'baaaaad idea' My dogs are very accepting of strange dogs in the house and, little as they are took no nonsense from bouncy young dogs.

Another fosterer specialised in older/ill dogs and they were often with her until their last days. Brave lady, I don't think I could have coped with the heartache....

The rescue paid all the vet bills, provided PL insurance, beds and a crate and would also pay for food if you wished so the only cost to you is your time and effort. You will be rigorously homechecked.The breed rescues tend to foster more than the general ones but Many Tears is an exception to that rule.

As far as your dog is concerned, a lot of dogs can't cope with dogs coming and going so that has to be taken into account.

Sorry to hear about your boy.

rising_from_the_ashes

Really, really sorry to hear about your boy, sure he's playing happily over Rainbow Bridge.

Re fostering, I'd love to do it but don't think I could as I'm sure I'd get way too attached and be heartbroken when they left - and if you've got kids then that could be even more of an issue.

Also agree with Orlao in that you may find some of the dogs have "issues" which could be why they need fostered so the reasons would def need to be discussed thoroughly with the rescue centre. A mum & pups would be wonderful!

I'm sure Dogs Trust were looking at setting up a scheme for victims of domestic abuse etc who may have had to enter temp accommodation and not be able to take their pets - the fosterer would have them till they got themselves settled - that would be really worthwhile and may be worth considering.

skysky69

Whereabouts do you live, there are lots of different places that you could try, if there was a particular breed that you like you could try specific breed rescues, or I foster for Many Tears who are based in Wales but foster all over. I love it because you get to experience breeds that you may not have looked at before. I always thought I didn't like little dogs but you get some really sweet little dogs. I know Hope Rescue use fosterers as well and Friends of the Animals in Wales and Four Paws Animal Rescue. A good place to pop over and say hello is dog pages.org.uk/forums and that us a portal for a whole host of rescues,lots of which use foster homes.

trudiha

Many thanks for your replies. I've approached a local rescue, they have a dog who they think I might be suitable for and I'm being home-checked this morning.

I'll let you know how it goes.

rising_from_the_ashes

Fingers crossed - let us know how it goes!