Fostering 101
Please consider opening your heart and home to a dog in need of temporary shelter, while Wagging Tails Dog Rescue finds the right permanent home for them.
Many of our approved adopters act as foster homes a few times while waiting for their right forever friend. This benefits everyone: it allows us to bring more dogs into the program; the adopter gets to experience different dogs to find what will work well for their family; and our foster families provide us with valuable information about individual dogs so that when they go home, it is forever. Besides, our foster families get first option to adopt their foster furkids!
But even if you're not looking to adopt a dog (or another dog), we need your help. Fostering can be a fun and rewarding experience, and every foster home we add helps us to save more dogs.
Please e-mail us at infodog@wtdr.org to discuss fostering a dog.
Some things you might like to know about fostering a dog....
- All dogs are up-to-date on shots, and health checked.
- We try to match the right dog to the right foster home. Important considerations include children, other pets, your work/travel schedule, your dog experience, and the dog's temperament and level of training.
- Foster home stays can range from one week to a few months. Most dogs are adopted within four to six weeks, as we have many approved adopters waiting for the right furkid to come into our program.
- If, for any reason, you can no longer keep a dog you are fostering, WTDR will move the dog to another foster home. If you need a short break from fostering (such as for vacation), we can arrange a temporary transfer.
- Foster homes will be asked to provide dog food, daily care, toys and an evaluation of the dog. All veterinary expenses are paid by WTDR.
- WTDR wants fostering to be a rewarding, enjoyable experience for you and your family. Support is available 24/7 via e-mail and phone.
From a Foster Parent's Perspective...
Sunday, December 21, 2003
Almost before I had the opportunity to introduce myself to one of the nicest young couples I have met in a long time, Autumn decided they were for her. Her tail started wagging as soon as Ken and Stacy came through the door.
Usually she is people friendly but she will take a minute or two to size people up and then decide if she wants them to pet her. She did not hold back even for a minute She walked right over and said hello. It was not long before she was paying attention to only them.
She must understand people talk because I think she heard Ken say he would take her running. As soon as they went outside she, took him on a run across the snowbank and up and down the yard. Everyone was laughing and Autumn was in her element, the center of attention and doing something she loves. Running... and being loved. I hope Ken's feet thawed out before they got all the way home.
I know that Ken and Stacy will give Autumn the attention she needs and she will return their love. Thank you for being the kind, good, dog-loving people that you are. Autumn is still in need of some training and they will give it to her with love and caring to ensure that she lives out her life in a warm and happy environment.
People often ask how can you do this? Give a dog a home and love and help when it needs it and then give it up to be adopted. It is times like this that makes this volunteer job worth every minute of it.
Signed,
Autumn's adopted Grandma