Foster home for the dog
The term "foster home" is often used, especially in the context of animal welfare. Many people don't really know what it means, except that foster homes typically take in a dog for an indefinite period and provide a temporary home until it finds its forever home. If you'd like to learn more about fostering dogs, you've come to the right place!
What is a foster home?
A foster home takes in a dog from a rescue organization for an indefinite period , giving it a better chance of finding a suitable forever home. Foster homes are often better able to assess a dog's personality than the organization itself, as they don't have to manage an entire shelter or rescue center. A foster home can also teach the dog basic commands, such as walking on a leash and housebreaking, and help it adjust to life in Germany. This transition is particularly difficult for dogs rescued from abroad. Furthermore, foster homes can take better photos of the dog, which are crucial for its adoption prospects; there's usually not enough time for this abroad.
Why should I become a foster carer?
Many people, especially those who already have dogs or children, don't want to adopt a dog "sight unseen," based solely on a photo and a short description from the rescue organization. They want to see if the dog is a good fit for their needs first. For example, they want to know if the dog is truly good with children or if that combination would be too stressful. Foster carers also benefit: they learn about new behaviors with each dog, expand their knowledge of handling different dogs, and much more. It's also a wonderful feeling when a dog finds a loving new home.
challenges
The dog may not know much when it arrives . It will most likely not be house-trained and won't be able to be left alone. These things need to be practiced, so time is required. If there are already dogs in the home, the foster dog might not get along with them. Sometimes it takes a few days for things to go smoothly. This requires some management, and the dogs must be able to be kept separate if necessary.
The biggest problem
The longer the dog stays, the harder the farewell. This is especially true when dogs sometimes stay a little longer than expected, raising the risk of foster failure and the dog ultimately finding its "forever home" with its original foster family. However, this isn't really a risk at all, but rather something wonderful!
How do I become a foster carer?
If I decide to become a foster carer, I should find a reputable organization and contact them. Then I should find out if they are looking for foster homes and what their requirements are. Together with the organization, I'll then determine which dog would be a good fit for me, and then the arrival will be planned.
The tasks of a foster home
First and foremost, I need to pick up the dog from the airport or transporter. Once I've collected the dog, double-leashing is crucial. Everything is new for the dog, and he might be insecure, so for the first few weeks, he should only go outside with double-leashed restraints and should also be kept on a leash in the garden. When the dog arrives, I should treat him as if he were my own. This means he should learn things like housebreaking and walking on a leash . The foster dog should also be exposed to various external stimuli and, with the help and support of his foster home, get used to life in Germany. It's also important to assess the dog's personality after the settling-in period and take nice pictures so the rescue organization can share information about him and post him on adoption websites. You can also support this by, for example, posting the dog on adoption websites yourself or putting up a flyer about him in the local pet shop. As a foster carer, I should above all have the time and motivation to care for the dog. I should also bring patience and empathy; the dog won't understand everything immediately and may initially be insecure and might just want some peace and quiet. Dog experience is an advantage, but even without it, the organization can usually find a suitable dog.