Foster FAQ’s and Policies

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Thank You for Considering the Lifesaving Act of Becoming a Foster

Fostering a dog is a wonderful experience full of lots of joy and tail wags. Fosters truly are the FRONT LINE for these dogs & a critical step in saving more lives. A foster home is a temporary living situation for dogs while they are awaiting placement in a permanent home. Foster families provide shelter, care, love, and guidance. The number of dogs we can save depends entirely on the number of people who will open their homes and hearts to fostering. That being said, it is also a great responsibility requiring your time, patience, and commitment. Please take a few minutes to read through our foster Policies and FAQ’s.

OUR POLICIES

*As a foster, it is your responsibility to do as much as possible to help your foster dog get adopted.

*We request that you commit to the foster arrangement for a minimum of one week (barring unusual circumstances). Ideally you would care for the dog until they find their forever home to eliminate further transitions.

*Your responsibilities as a foster home include housing and caring for the dog, reinforcing manners, working with problem areas (leash manners, house training, etc.), feeding appropriately, communicating any concerns (medical or behavioral) in a timely manner with the foster support coordinator, and housing the dog indoors.

*We provide a lot of information and support, it is best for the dog that you follow instructions.

*As a foster, you will have 1 week with the foster dog to introduce your family and friends. If no one in your circle is interested, the dog will be put up for adoption publicly.

*If you decide that you would like to adopt the dog, you need to let us know as soon as you decide so that we stop accepting applications on the dog. Please note that if we have started moving forward with an application, you may not have first priority to adopt.

*If you feel that your foster dog needs immediate medical attention, you MUST get prior approval first. If you choose to get medical attention for the dog without prior approval, you may be responsible for the fees incurred for treatment.

*All food and supplies necessary to foster will be provided at no cost to you through Spot’s Last Stop.

FOSTER FAQ's

 

  • Who can foster? Anyone over the age of 21 is welcome to foster with SLS! As long as you have the time, patience, energy and a loving home we would love to have you be a part of our foster family!
  • Can I foster if I have children? Yes! Fostering is a great experience for kids of all ages. It teaches them good stewardship and is a great opportunity to learn about giving back to the community.
    We ask that our fosters educate their children on how to properly interact with a dog (e.g. what to do if the dog jumps up, wants to play, is mouthy, how to respect the dogs personal space, stay out of their food, etc.)
  • What if the foster dog does not work in my home? It’s important to keep in mind that your foster dog will need time to decompress and get accustomed to a new environment.  Some dogs may be fearful, shy, or skittish. We ask that you attempt to work with them through their issues, especially during their first week in rescue. SLS can help you with tools and training techniques to get over their “first week jitters”. If you feel that your new foster dog is unsafe around your other pets or children, we first ask that you contact us and allow us to recommend changes that may help alleviate any issues the dog is having. If this does not work and you are unable to keep the dog in your home, we will network for another foster who is able to take the dog. Please keep in mind that this can take up to a week.
  • What do I do if my foster needs medical attention? If your feel that your foster dog requires medical attention, you will need to contact the Foster Director who will assess if a veterinarian appointment is needed. If it is an emergency, please contact the Foster Director who will tell you which vet to visit.
  • How long should I anticipate fostering a dog? On average, our dogs are in foster care for 2-5 weeks. However, you should be prepared to foster longer than that if needed. We have had dogs in foster for up to 6 months.
  • What do I do if I am going out of town? At Spot’s Last Stop, we work very hard to accommodate the schedules of our foster families. We ask that you give us a minimum of a 2 week notice so we can arrange a temporary foster home while you are away. If you are going somewhere that is dog friendly and you are able to bring your foster dog with you, please gain prior approval from the Foster Director.
  • Do I get to pick the dog I want to foster?  Dogs come into rescue all the time.  We post fosters needed in our foster facebook group and send out lists via email.  We ask that you put down your 3 top choices. We will do our best to match you with one of your choices.
  • If I fall in love with my foster dog, am I allowed to adopt them?  YES YES YES! We love when our fosters adopt! However, we ask that you decide before the dog is available on the website. If there are approved applications in once you submit your dog to be posted, you may be unable to adopt. There is a lot going on behind the scenes with applications and interviews.
  •  How much does it cost to foster? It’s FREE! SLS provides everything you will need as a foster. We will give you a food, kennel, bedding and any other necessary supplies.
Dog Foster Application

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