I encourage many people to foster adoptable dogs, but it isn’t for everyone. Last year I made the mistake of fostering a pitbull I wasn’t prepared to handle. I was gone too often and she couldn’t be left alone. Even if you are a dog lover with good intentions, remember that most dogs in rescue programs are there for a reason. They all have issues in some form or another, and there is always some risk involved with inviting a strange animal into your home. Pictured is my current foster dog, Vixen, and American pit bull terrier.
Before you foster a dog, remember:
1. You aren’t obligated to keep the dog for any amount of time.
It’s common for foster parents to return a dog before it finds its “forever” family. There is no written statement saying you have to keep the foster dog for weeks, months or even days. If the rescue program you are working with makes you sign something saying you will keep the dog for a given amount of time, don’t sign that form.
If the dog is not a good match for you, you should not feel obligated to keep it. That is not a good situation for a person or a dog, and any rescue organization should know that. I returned a foster pitbull last year after about 36 hours. It just did not work out. Even though I felt guilty, I had to keep in mind my own life, family and pets and put myself before the foster dog. Sometimes it’s a good idea to make a mental commitment to yourself how long you are willing to foster before you take the dog home. Maybe that time is a few weeks, three months or six months – it’s up to you.
2. Choose the dog you foster wisely.
Don’t foster any dog. Instead, wait for one that will work well with your lifestyle. Even though fostering is temporary, you could be living with that dog for an extended period of time. When I adopted my mutt Ace, I gave myself two months to choose the right dog. Fostering is a little different, but I knew I could not tolerate a dog that would attack my cats or disturb my neighbors.
3. A pet or human could get hurt.
There’s always a risk with bringing home a new dog. It will take some time to get to know her, and at any time she could bite a person, dog, cat or other pet. There’s also the possibility your own dog could bite or attack the foster dog. Watch for signs of possessiveness or aggression from your own dog, not just the foster dog. After all, he is the one whose space is being invaded, and dogs are territorial. Make sure you and the rescue organization are clear who will cover medical costs if a pet or human is hurt and needs to see a doctor. It’s a good idea to have a written contract signed by both sides. There is a possibility your foster dog could bite a neighbor or visitor in your home, and you don’t want to be responsible.
4. You will get emotionally attached.
I’ve heard and seen a lot of sad stories involving dogs over the years. The reality is I am not able to help every dog, so I don’t allow myself to get too emotionally attached too quickly to any particular dog. Remember that unless you end up keeping the dog permanently, you will have to part with her at some point. Either she will go to a new family or back to the shelter.
5. You will spend some money.
Even if the animal rescue program you are dealing with pays for “all” the expenses such as food, spaying and neutering, other vet bills, etc., there will still be small exceptions that pop up. Maybe it’s more cleaning supplies, treats or chew toys. You might spend more gas money driving to and from the dog park. Or you might just be spending more time with the dog rather than working and earning money!
6. The dog will have issues of some sort.
Vixen is potty trained. She knows commands. She loves people and gets along with some dogs. She does not pull on a leash, and she rarely barks. She is actually very low maintenance compared to most dogs in rescue programs. Vixen has short hair and requires very little grooming. She is content to curl up on a pillow for hours.
However, most dogs in rescue programs have issues of some sort, whether it’s dog aggression, food aggression, tons of energy or no training. Vixen’s problem is she is scared of being in a kennel.
7. There will be an adjustment period.
I did not get much sleep the first night we had Vixen home. I was up every few hours because she would bark in her kennel. Instead of getting angry with her, I understood it would take her some time to adjust to our routine. I was willing to work with her. Any foster dog will need some time to adjust to your home. Think about what that dog has been through in her life. Going from home to home or shelter to shelter is stressful on any dog.
8. There could be damage to your property.
Pets get into trouble. If your foster dog is not in a kennel when you are gone, she could chew anything or scratch anything. If you foster parent dogs and their puppies, expect the puppies to have some accidents. Be prepared for that and know in advance who will pay for the damage, you or the rescue. If you are renting, it won’t be your landlord!
9. Your own dog will get less of your time
My mutt Ace is used to a long walk with me every day and some training, too. He hasn’t been getting that with Vixen around because more of my attention is on her. I take the dogs for a walk together twice a day, but Vixen is the one who gets extra training time. Teaching my dog not to bark at the door and other issues are on hold for now. I’m still taking him to dog agility once a week without Vixen, and I think he really likes getting a break from her! Keep these things in mind if you will be providing foster homes for dogs.
10. Be considerate of other family member and pets.
My cats are getting used to Vixen, but they were stressed at first. I added an extra litter box for them upstairs in case they ever feel apprehensive about venturing downstairs where the dogs usually are. Ace pretty much ignores Vixen, probably because he’s used to having all my attention. He lies with his back to her and throws a silent tantrum. And my boyfriend Josh doesn’t appreciate getting woken up by a barking dog or that his girlfriend is extra stressed from supervising four animals. I try to remember that none of them asked to have another dog in the house, they are all tolerating Vixen because of me.
11. You might do all the work yourself.
Usually there is one family member who is a lot more excited about having another pet around than everyone else and will end up providing the real foster care for the dogs. Obviously, I’m that person in our case. I’m lucky that Josh is willing to tolerate all my animals, but it’s exactly that. He tolerates them while I’m the one doing all the work. I walk the dogs, feed all the animals, work on training, supervise all of them, etc. Even though I enjoy it and brought this upon myself, it’s work.
12. You will have less free time.
Your schedule will be interrupted in some way. I have been getting up early to make sure Vixen gets a good walk in before I leave in the morning and another walk in the evening before bed. I’ve also spent free time working on training her and giving her attention. I’m also careful not to be away from home for too long in case she starts barking while I’m gone.
13. Your own dog could develop bad habits.
Ace has become more territorial having Vixen around. He barks even more than normal when someone comes to the door. But he did not learn this from Vixen. So far, neither dog has learned any bad habits from the other. But think about it, if one dog pulls on a leash, the other will. If one knocks everyone out of the way to get through the door, the other will too. I’m doing the best I can to set rules for Vixen and Ace. Both dogs walk at my side. Both sit before entering or exiting a door. Both sit before eating or drinking. I’m lucky to have a calm, laid-back foster dog.
14. You might have to cancel some plans.
There were times when Vixen could not be left home alone. Josh had to skip a meeting, and I considered skipping a party but instead a friend stayed with our pets – thanks Justin!
15. The experience is one of the most rewarding things you can do for an animal.
By fostering a dog, you are saving her life. That makes all the hard work, time and energy worth it. It is one of the most rewarding things you can do. There are many reasons to foster a dog.
01/08/10 update:Vizen was adopted. If you are interested in adopting Vixen, send me an email at Lindsay@thatmutt.com. You may also visit her profile at the 4 Luv of Dog Rescue. I recently learned Vixen likes to play fetch! She drops the ball at my side and waits for me to throw it again.
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January 9th, 2009 at 6:42 am
Great points – many times people seem to forget that fostering or even having a dog is a lot of work. I see too many dogs that just get left in a backyard. I cringe almost every time I hear someone say they don’t have a dog since they don’t have a backyard. To me, this is many times doublespeak for the fact that they just want to throw them out there when it is not convenient to give the animal attention. I’ll get off the soapbox now. Thanks for continually reminding us the responsibility involved in having dogs.
January 9th, 2009 at 7:59 am
Another good post. I’m glad to hear that Vixen is fitting in well and that Ace is still getting time with you to himself. I think one of the hardest things to balance in rescue is your own family and pets needs vs. the pets that you are rescuing. It’s very easy to find yourself overwhelmed and then most often it’s your own pets and family that end up getting the raw end of the deal. I think you’ve included some great things to consider to help people to avoid that problem.
January 9th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Another great post. All of these factors are important and relate not only to fostering a dog, but adopting one as well. Also a great reminder to consider that the foster dog may have issues.
Poor Ace! Will he play with Vixen at all?
January 9th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Apryl, people will say to me, “It must be hard having a big dog in an apartment.” And I say, um, no, it isn’t.
Biggie, Ace doesn’t play with most dogs. He is a little lacking in his social skills so it’s good for him to have another dog around.
January 10th, 2009 at 7:03 am
I know what you mean, Lindsay! I feel bad when people think they cannot rescue a dog because they “don’t have room”. Like I said, it is just doublespeak for the fact that they want a dog for their own convenience and not an actual companion that they have give and take with for all involved. I don’t like to judge though, and many of these folks should not have dogs since they would not get their needs met. There I am on my soapbox again…
January 10th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Thanks for the great post, I just started with my first foster dog and this post is so true!!
January 10th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Hi Jessica. Thanks for visiting my blog! Good luck with your new foster dog!
January 10th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Once again.. another great post… You really know your stuff.
I hope everyone who considers fostering a dog will read this. There are reasons why I don’t foster… many of them are listed above.
January 10th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Yep, and those are perfectly good reasons not to foster.
January 10th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Good tips. Like me… consider how your own dogs will react…. which I need to do more of!
January 10th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
It didn’t take us long to figure out that we weren’t good foster parents. I immediately got attached and wanted to keep our very first foster dog, Bullet. Thankfully we did find her a new home with a coworker of mine and she’s happy in her forever home.
No more foster doggies for me.
January 13th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Actually, having Vixen here has made me think a lot about your foster dog Bullet. I know how well she got along with your dogs and how hard it was for you to part with her.
January 15th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
No, I considered it before Shilo, but I know my own emotional limmitations… I so respect those that can and do…
January 7th, 2010 at 11:32 pm
What;s so wrong with adopting your first foster dog. Some times it is love a first sight. The whole family, including 2 other dogs like her and she makes one of my dogs very happy. What happens if you are fostering and no home is every found in a reasonable time? Does the dog just stay indefinitely? As you can tell, I’m new to this.
January 8th, 2010 at 8:07 am
There’s nothing wrong with adopting your first foster dog if it end up being the right dog for you. One problem is people will fall in love with a dog based on their own emotions rather than choosing a dog that is right for them. Sounds like this dog might fit in well with your family!
There are some cases where people will foster a dog for a year or two because no one wants to adopt it. Sometimes these dogs end up going to a new foster home, sometimes back to a shelter or boarding facility or sometimes their foster owner adopts them or continues to foster them. No one is required to keep a foster dog for any amount of time.
January 21st, 2010 at 5:50 pm
This was so useful to me. I’ve fostered a dog for three weeks now. Now it is time for him to go back to the shelter. His separation anxiety is more than I (and the other tenants in my building) can handle — and my neighbours should not have to. I find I cannot leave the house at all or the barking and howling is out of control. He is a lovely dog, smart, cute, healthy…but his issues are beginning to overwhelm me and my other dog. I appreciated your comment that it is OK for the dog to go back to the shelter. I would love that forever family to nab him before I return him but it is unlikely. I have to try to be proud of the three weeks he spent with us…he has become house trained, he can sit and wait with hand and voice signals, he can gently mouth my hand without biting…but he cannot deal with the crate at all and he’s hardly ever in it but this is causing me to give up my life, something is wrong with this picture. thank you.
January 21st, 2010 at 9:44 pm
I’ve been there so I know exactly how you feel! You have done a wonderful thing by giving this dog a chance to live with you. There are plenty of other dogs you could foster if you choose to. I believe it is so rewarding to foster a dog, but I do not like to put the foster dog before myself, my own pets and my boyfriend, neighbors, etc.