Foster a Rescue Dog
Our greatest need is for foster families, with or without pets, who will take a dog for a month or longer. We also need fosters with no other pets in the home. We may not prioritize the processing of your application if you are outside of those categories. If you can help us in other ways, such as by transporting foster dogs, please submit a volunteer application.
Golden Bond Rescue is in need of foster homes for dogs coming into our program. If you have room in your heart for a retriever or retriever mix, please consider fostering!
We need foster families all over the Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington, and Western Idaho)! Families are needed for dogs of all ages and retriever breeds.
You will not be alone in the fostering process so don’t let inexperience deter you. Each foster dog is assigned an Intake Manager who will work closely with you to answer your questions and provide tips and guidance. We will provide you with an abundance of resources!
A specialist who can help with dog training issues is also available. If you ever have a question, the intake manager is always willing to help. If we don’t know the answer, we’ll put you in touch with the person who does.
Here are some important foster home considerations:
- Home ownership is preferred. Home ownership is preferable, however, if you are a renter, we can process your application with a letter from your landlord along with her/his phone number. We will contact your landlord to confirm you are allowed to foster retrievers and to learn of any restrictions they have.
- A fenced yard is preferred. (Please read the page on Fence Guidelines for specifics.) However, if you don’t have a fence or are concerned it won’t meet our guidelines but are willing to comply with other important guidance on exercising the dog safely, we welcome your application. Without a fence, you will need to keep the dog on a leash or long line whenever outside and not rely on dog parks or other off leash environments to exercise the foster dog.
- Dog treated as member of the family. Dog must be kept in the house and treated like one of the family. They are not to be isolated in a separate room, garage, or left out in the yard.
- Signed foster home agreement. Each foster caregiver will need to sign our foster home agreement/waiver.
- No children under the age of 10 years. Please do not apply to become a foster family if you have a child in the home under the age of 10 years.
- Vet records for resident dogs. You will be required to provide vaccine dates (Rabies, DHPP, Bordetella) and recent checkup info for resident dogs. You can provide this information in the application or in communication with the foster team member processing your application.
Golden Bond Rescue cannot continue to be the excellent organization it has been without the help of foster families! Please consider opening your heart and home to one (or more!) of our foster dogs. If you have any questions, please email us at info@GoldenBondRescue.com. Or, just fill out and submit our online Foster Home Application.
To learn more, visit our Fostering FAQs.
We've adopted one dog with Golden Bond and fostered two dogs so far. It's rewarding to watch the dogs gain confidence, learn routines, and become more relaxed and happy. Our first Intake Manager, Maggie, was a gem. There is so much support throughout the process of fostering. It's so satisfying to witness a dog meet their forever family for the first time!
--Shaelyn C, Golden Bond foster family in Eagle Creek, OR
Our foster pup Cooper had a rough start to his life. Knowing that you're giving back and seeing him get better has been really rewarding. I love what Golden Bond does! The support all along the way has been amazing.
--- Katy M, Golden Bond Rescue foster family in Salem, Oregon
We couldn't have asked for a better first foster dog – Finn. You can't quantify how rewarding it is fostering these dogs. It helps them live their best life possible. Golden Bond's Intake Manager and resources on their website were super helpful. Jump in with both feet fostering a dog and you won't regret it!
-- Emily B, Golden Bond foster family in Vancouver, WA
