It’s difficult to turn potential foster dogs away, especially when a dog rescue group contacts me about a certain dog that needs my help or a dog that will be put down at 4 p.m. today.
Fostering a dog means taking in a homeless dog while it waits for a permanent home. Although I encourage anyone to foster a dog, most of us can’t foster all the time. This is why I’ve learned to say no. When I know it’s not the right time for me to foster, my response is something like this:
I’m not ready to foster a dog right now, but thank you for thinking of me. I will let you know when I’m ready to foster again.
That pretty much sums it up without going into too much detail. As you can see, I don’t need an excuse and I don’t create one. I say I’m not ready, and the reason could be anything.
What it comes down to is I am either mentally ready to foster a dog or I am not. I admire the people who are able and willing to foster dogs almost all the time. But, I am not one of those people. I also live with someone who does not tolerate animals as well as I do.
Josh and I have a system worked out: We wait at least two months between the time the last foster dog leaves and the new foster dog arrives. Although I would like that time to be shorter and he would like that time to be longer, the break in between dogs is well needed.
Selecting a dog to adopt should never be rushed. The same is true with deciding on a foster dog. Big mistakes can be made when you bring a new animal into your home without much thought. You are lucky if stress is your only problem.
Our two-month waiting period helps me avoid making decisions based on emotions. No matter how many dogs are saved or killed, there will always be more dogs in need of my help.
Currently, our eight weeks is up. Our last foster dog, Sammi (above), was adopted in March. But we still have weekend graduation parties to attend, out of state relatives to visit and a trip planned to the west coast. Between various friends and family members bringing their dogs over and me being available as a Fargo pet sitter, we already have plenty of dogs coming and going. I love my “job,” but it also means we have to wait on fostering for now.
Fostering a dog is more than providing a home. It’s providing love, training, discipline, socialization, exercise and endless learning. I am not a successful foster owner unless I show that dog something about living in this confusing, restricting world. To me, that is the most rewarding experience of all. It’s why I love working with dogs.
Rescue dogs are the most challenging, because they are usually the most confused, the least understood and the most in need.
If you can’t give 100 percent to fostering a dog right now, simply say no. Instead, begin planning a time when you will be able to foster a dog. When you do, enjoy that time for what it’s worth.
If now is the right time for you to foster a dog, there are several dogs for adoption in Fargo waiting for permanent or temporary homes.
Related posts:
- Reason to foster a dog
- Pitbull mix gets adopted!
- Cute pitbull mix up for adoption
- How to prepare for a foster dog
May 25th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Thank you so much for this. I didn’t foster over the summer as I liked to do a lot of camping and didn’t need the extra worry of a strange dog in a tent, but other than that I had no restrictions and once or twice I had a new dog in before the first one had left.
But I had to put my foot down recently as the rescue had a few months previously brought a dog round without telling me and of course on seeing it, I couldn’t say no. Two months ago she had a dog that would have to live in her van as she had no room in the house if I didn’t take it on and I felt so dreadful for saying no but I really had to.
I still feel so bad about it that I daren’t speak to her.
I feel better knowing that other people have to say no sometimes too. It’s not really talked about much!
a-dog-named-fred.blogspot.com/2009/03/not-good-foster-mum.html
May 25th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Hey, you are doing more than most people by fostering at all. I’ve turned my fair share of dogs away. It is hard…
May 25th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Very well said as usual Lindsay. It’s really admirable that you know your limits, because that makes for a healthier environment for you, your personal pets and the foster dogs that do come into your care. Keep up the good work!
May 25th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Thanks Marie. That means a lot coming from you!
May 26th, 2009 at 6:01 am
Great points. I know people can feel guilty for saying no to a foster in need. You aren’t doing anyone a favor if you can’t give it 100% for sure.
May 26th, 2009 at 6:57 am
Thanks, Apryl!
January 4th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Wow, I’m glad I found this blog. I’ve started fostering in 2008, except I don’t have any dogs of my own just gerbils! But even if I’m in vet tech school I still realize that I cannot help every dog I want to, and I was amazed to see how crazy some people in rescue can be, and blame YOU for not being able to take in a dog, or hold it for longer! So, thank you so much for pointing out this situation that people should know before they get involved with a rescue! Luckilly the one I’m fostering for now is a small, very helpful rescue and I think I might just stick with them.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:06 am
Great to hear you are fostering dogs! I know what you mean, though. It’s easy for rescue workers or volunteers to become obsessive about saving the dogs.