7 Things to Consider Before Agreeing to Foster a Dog 

Call it a valuable way to help save a life. Any time a shelter animal has the chance to leave for a foster home, space is made for another homeless pet that needs a second chance at life.

Fostering can help dogs learn to live in a home environment while adapting to socializing with people or other animals. Sometimes, fostering is temporary, providing a happy home for a dog that needs more attention than a shelter can offer.

Other times, it can lead to a permanent situation where the pet parent decides to adopt the dog and provide them with a forever place to call home. No matter the reason, fostering a dog is a special gesture, but you should make sure you’re comfortable and confident to provide a job well done.

At Caninely, we are staunch supporters of fostering dogs. But there’s a few important questions you’ll need to ask yourself before you agree to welcome a foster dog into your home. These are the important things to ask yourself:

Question 1: How’s Your Space?

When bringing a dog into your home, be sure it’s animal-friendly! Consider the size of your space compared to how big the dog is. Do you have enough room for them to roam freely or exercise? What’s your yard area like?

Will they feel comfortable and safe in the area in which you live? And a big one – is your home filled with lots of breakable items? Not to mention, do you have brand new carpets? (think potty training a puppy!) Also, how do your other family members feel about you fostering? Be sure everyone is on board before welcoming in your new furry friend!

Question 2: Does Your Foster Dog Have Medical Conditions?

If your foster dog comes with medical conditions, know your responsibilities when overseeing their care and getting them the help they need. Be sure the dog is free of contagious diseases and parasites, like ringworm and tapeworms.

Always ask about the known medical history of the dog you are fostering, including any current medications or treatment they are receiving.

You may not know the type of environment the animal was living in before fostering them, so be prepared to retrain them if needed. As always, love and patience go a long way!

Question 3: Do You Have The Necessary Supplies?

Are you prepared to offer the basics? Food, water, crates, toys, and puppy pads are just a few supplies you’ll need when fostering a dog. The cost can certainly add up, so be sure you are financially prepared to give them what they need.

You may also borrow any of these supplies from your shelter, to lessen the cost, as well as things like puppy gates, playpens, food/water bowls, and bedding. Ask your shelter what might be available and what you could use during your fostering time.

Question 4: Do You Have The Time?

The truth is that foster dogs often come from difficult situations. Some are recovering from surgery or are from former homes where they were treated terribly. Because of this, a foster dog with these issues will need extra socialization, love, patience, and attention.

That means they need your time. It also means they may need you to transport them to other places for checkups or routine care. Some placements are shorter, under four weeks, but some dogs may require longer stays, like three months, so keep this in mind when you make weekend travel or vacation plans!

Question 5: Do You Have The Patience?

You’ve heard the saying, “Patience is a virtue,” and this is especially true when fostering a dog who may come with a difficult past. What does this mean?

Well, if you foster a dog who has been abused or neglected, they’re bound to need extra patience from you, as their foster parent, especially because they may be resistant to you at first.

On that note, some foster dogs may be puppies, meaning they may not yet be fully potty trained, requiring your understanding. Overall, foster dogs may also need some basic obedience training, which is vital to their growth and development.

Question 6: Do You Have Existing Pets?

Do you currently have pets in your home? If so, consider their well-being before exposing them to your new foster animal. Your new dog could have an illness that could be transferred to other pets, which could cause serious harm.

Additionally, your foster dog may not do well with other pets around, causing them to act hostile. As a result, some foster parents choose to keep their current pets separate for medical and emotional reasons. Consider your situation and decide what would work best for you, your current pets, and the new foster you’re trying to help.

Question 7: Are You Ready to be a “Foster Failure?”

You heard it here – despite your best intentions, you may become what’s known as a “foster failure.” In the beginning, your goal may have been to give a dog a proper home and make a difference in their life, but once you form a bond, you may start to get attached, making it more difficult to give them to someone else.

It’s certainly not uncommon to be sad when you have to relinquish your foster dog when the time comes. However, if you think you might be in a position to adopt after fostering, this could be a great option. Your original goal to foster may lead you to fall in love and discover a new forever friend!

Question 8: Should You Foster?

Whether you’re “on the fence” about fostering a dog or ready to sign up tomorrow, the important thing to know is that fostering allows you to make a difference in an animal’s life. You are choosing to give them a loving home and to make them feel safe and cared for until they can find their forever homes.

If you’re interested in exploring the idea of fostering a dog even further, reach out to your local adoption center to learn more. Choosing to foster is an honorable service and one that will not only change the dog for the better but likely you, as well.

The unconditional love will make you wonder who really rescued who? Yes, the dog changed and healed for the better, but you did, too.

“Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them and filling the emptiness we didn’t ever know we had.” – Thomas Jones

If you ask us, everyone should foster, at least once in their life. Take a chance, love the dog while you can, let them go, and then reflect on the experience. You can’t change their past, but you can certainly help shape their future. It might be emotional at first, but we promise, it’ll be worth it!