How To Be a Foster Parent for Dogs

If you genuinely love caring for dogs, then you might have a fulfilling future as a pet foster parent. The question of how to be a foster parent for dogs is not necessarily easy to answer, though. You have to find it within yourself to provide the care and attention that foster dogs require, but it can be incredibly rewarding. There are practical steps you can follow to help prepare yourself.

What Does It Mean To Foster a Dog?

Fostering a dog means providing a temporary home to the dog while they wait for adoption. Shelters set up fostering programs so they can dedicate more space and resources to animals who are not suitable for fostering, such as those with medical needs or behavior issues that require special care. These programs also help the fostered dogs acclimate to home life until an adoption goes through.

Fostering a dog requires time, effort, and some financial commitment, but the rewards are immeasurable. To provide for the dog in your care, you have to be willing to invest in necessary pet care products, from tailor-picked dog food to training supplies like Richell PAW TRAX® Doggy Pads sold by BaxterBoo.

Building a foster family for dogs is a lifestyle choice. If you can easily imagine transforming your home with pet steps and other doggy accommodations, then you might already know in your heart what it means to foster a dog.

How To Foster a Dog

To foster a dog, start by finding a shelter or rescue group in your area. Get in touch with the organization to learn more about their foster programs, then fill out any applications they require. You will likely need to meet certain insurance requirements, and if you have any other pets in your home, they will need to be up to date on their vaccinations.

It is also necessary to prepare your home for fostering. Animal shelters will view you more favorably as a candidate for fostering if you can demonstrate that you have a safe and comfortable home. This means preparing a space the dog can call their own, complete with a cozy doggy bed, and removing any items that can be hazardous for pets.

The Humane Society outlines plants and foods that are poisonous for dogs, so be sure to put these items out of reach before fostering:

• Coffee beans or grounds
• Onions
• Grapes
• Rhubarb leaves
• Moldy foods

Be sure to consult a complete list of toxic plants and foods as part of your process of learning how to be a foster parent for dogs.

Do You Get Paid To Foster a Dog?

Pet foster parents usually do not receive financial compensation from the shelter. However, fostering is usually not an excessive financial burden either. The shelter that placed the dog in your care will likely provide food and medicine while also covering veterinary expenses.

If you do incur pet care-related expenses that the shelter does not cover, you might be eligible for tax deductions. These can include vehicle-related expenses from driving your foster dog to the vet or purchasing extra treats not provided by the shelter.

What Supplies Do You Need To Foster a Dog?

Even though the shelter placing the foster dog in your care will likely provide some food and supplies, it is still a good idea to prepare as much as possible on your end before welcoming the dog into your home.

The essential items to have on hand when fostering a dog include:

• A plentiful amount of dog food
• A well-fitting collar and harness
• An appropriately-long leash
• Dog tags
• A crate, dog bed, and other accommodating essentials

It is important to discuss the dog’s needs with the shelter or rescue group. Talk about food preferences and allergies, nutritional needs, and any other health issues or conditions that might affect the supplies you need.

Can Dog Fostering Lead to Adoption?

As a pet foster parent, part of your role is to facilitate the adoption process. You play an invaluable part in acclimating the dog to a home environment, training them, and possibly even exposing them to potential adopters. The shelter might also request that you speak to adopters to help them get to know your foster dog.

If you choose to adopt your foster dog yourself, there is a specific process to keep in mind. Adopting is surprisingly different from fostering, so it is important that you follow the right steps for dog adoption before making this decision.

Start by considering whether you can financially support a dog on a permanent basis. Discuss the adoption with other members of your household to ensure everyone is on board with the new addition to the family. 

Your home might already be dog-ready after being a foster parent, but there might be some more permanent changes worth making if the dog will be living with you from now on. Consider starting with a doggy-themed doormat to make sure visitors know what to expect.

Will Your Foster Dog Miss You?

Many dog fostering programs only last a few weeks or months, but this is a significant amount of time in the eyes of a young puppy. Even if you are capable of keeping yourself from growing overly attached to your foster dog, the opposite might not be true. It is perfectly understandable to wonder if your foster dog will miss you even after finding a wonderful permanent family.

The transition might be difficult for the dog at first, but they will certainly adjust over time. You can make things easier for your foster pet by having them meet their new family ahead of time. Consider having the dog gradually spend more and more time with the adopter before making the full transfer of custody.

BaxterBoo Can Help You Become a Foster Parent for Dogs

When you are learning how to be a foster parent for dogs, you might feel a bit overwhelmed by the preparations you have to make when welcoming a dog into your home. At BaxterBoo, we want to ease the challenge of becoming a first-time foster parent by providing a convenient shopping experience for your ward’s necessities. Browse our catalog of dog care products today and contact us with any questions you might have.