A foster home for dogs offers a loving temporary haven to dogs in need. For dogs who, for various reasons, cannot stay in a shelter, foster homes are often their last lifeline. In most cases, foster placements are offered by committed private individuals who work closely with local animal welfare organisations. Find out here how you can become a foster carer for dogs.
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Animal welfare organisations are constantly looking for animal lovers who can offer dogs a temporary home.
Foster homes are vital links between the organisation that rescues an animal and the people who wish to adopt it permanently. In a foster home, a dog can stay temporarily and receives everything it needs: a cosy bed, food, exercise, playtime and plenty of love from its foster carer.
A foster home is not an official institution, but an individual, a couple or a family who share their home for a while with a four-legged friend in need. Animal welfare charities often place dogs in foster homes while they search for a permanent home.
How long a dog stays in foster care can vary greatly. Sometimes it’s just a few days. In other cases, the foster dog may stay with “its” foster home for weeks or even months.
It’s unimaginable for animal lovers, yet sadly a common scenario: the big family holiday is coming up and the dog can’t come along. So he is simply abandoned. Many pets are left on the streets every year because they no longer fit into their owners’ daily lives.
You can imagine how much work and expense are involved in caring for and rehoming these dogs. There simply aren’t enough resources available to help every dog adequately.
Sometimes it is also impossible to keep a dog in an intake centre with other dogs because it is too traumatised or ill.
Your role as a foster home is considered voluntary work. Some organisations contribute towards veterinary and food costs, but beyond that you should not expect payment. However, that’s hardly necessary – your foster dogs will give you far more in return than you could ever give them. As a foster home for dogs, you will take on the following tasks:
Becoming a foster home is a great responsibility. For a short time, you will be the most important person in a dog’s life and will support it on its journey towards a happy future. Of course, the most important requirement for this “role” is a big heart for dogs. But there are also a few other points you should consider if you would like to become a foster carer for dogs:
Caring for a dog can be challenging. The animal welfare organisation will therefore want to get to know you a little in order to assess your personal suitability. Before applying, you should honestly consider whether you have the following qualities:
Dogs need space – some more than others. The size of your home must therefore suit the needs of the individual dog. Ideally, you will also have a garden where the dog can spend time safely.
A dog can certainly turn your life upside down. It needs to go outside several times a day and will demand attention and activity. Daily walks and playtime, as well as training and education, can take up a considerable amount of time.
How much time you need depends on the breed and individual circumstances. Hunting breeds or herding dogs, for example, require several hours of exercise outdoors each day. In any case, you should set aside at least two hours a day for walking your foster dog.
You should also consider whether a dog fits in with your work. Leaving it alone in the flat all day rarely works with your own dog and certainly not with a foster dog you do not yet know well. Dogs with a difficult history especially need a stable anchor in their lives, even more so than those who have only had positive experiences.
And as a foster home, you will be that anchor. For your foster dog, it is best if your company and presence provide calm and security. Ideally, you have a job that allows you to work from home. Otherwise, you should clarify in advance whether it would be possible to take the dog to work with you.
People who would like to become a foster home for dogs often already have a pet. In itself, this is not a problem. An animal companion can even be beneficial for the newcomer. But as so often, the chemistry between the animals determines whether temporary cohabitation is feasible.
Approach this issue sensitively and give your pet and the foster dog time to get to know each other at their own pace. At the beginning, it is advisable for them to have separate rooms and safe spaces to retreat to. Otherwise, the situation may overwhelm both animals and lead to conflict. Always supervise when you let the animals meet so that you remain in control of the situation.
You can usually find out which animal welfare organisations are currently looking for foster homes by checking their website or calling them directly. Most organisations are very grateful for your initiative.
It is best to look for an animal welfare organisation in your local area. The closer it is to you, the better. This makes close and straightforward communication much easier. Once you have clarified the initial questions by phone or email, it is advisable to arrange a personal meeting with everyone involved. This allows you to get to know the organisation better and see whether the all-important personal connection feels right.
The organisation will also want to know who will be caring for its animals. Trust is extremely important on both sides when it comes to living beings in need of care. Animal welfare organisations and their helpers are usually deeply committed to their cause and want to be sure that you feel the same way. Have you reached an agreement? The organisation will then suggest a dog for you to foster that matches you and your home. You may even have several options to choose from. Only rarely can you choose a foster dog entirely freely.
Once you have decided on a dog, you should draw up a foster agreement with the animal welfare organisation. The subject of the contract is the animal to be cared for and the associated scope of services. The following clauses are typically included:
Note: Read the contract carefully and do not hesitate to ask if anything is unclear. Be thorough and do not sign anything you do not understand or agree with. On the one hand, the animal welfare organisation can reclaim the dog at any time if doubts arise about your competence. On the other hand, you may also be held liable for damage caused by negligence.
Once the contract has been signed, it may still take a few days before “your” dog moves in with you. Sometimes the dog will be brought to you, but usually you will collect it from the shelter or intake centre. The initial period in particular will be a time of adjustment for both you and the dog.
Therefore, try not to expect too much. If possible, take some time off and allow extra time for your new four-legged friend. A welcome party or lots of people at the destination may frighten your foster dog.
You have taken responsibility for a dog and after a short time cannot imagine giving it up? In this case, speak openly and honestly with the relevant animal welfare organisation. In most cases, you will be allowed to keep the dog. However, do not be offended if their enthusiasm is somewhat limited. Animal welfare organisations depend on you as a reliable foster home.
But the primary goal is always to place the dog in a safe environment and ensure its wellbeing. And that goal is also achieved if you keep the dog permanently. In the “worst” case, the organisation has lost a foster home but successfully rehomed a dog. No one will seriously want to stand in the way of you and your canine happiness.
The zooplus editorial team consists of a dedicated team of experts with many years of experience in the field of animal husbandry: Luisa with her White Swiss Shepherd Elyos, Laura, Julio, and Florian. Together with a large network of animal experts, we work to make the zooplus magazine a trusted source of information for all animal owners and lovers. Our goal is to provide exciting animal knowledge and relevant information on the proper care of pets.
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