Fostering FAQ
Fostering is one of the most important components of the rescue process! Without an adequate number of foster homes, we are limited in how many dogs we can take in at one time. The principle behind fostering is to provide a home environment where dogs can decompress from their former experiences, feel cared for and safe. Their habits and behavior will be observed and evaluated so that we can provide potential adopters with comprehensive information. Veterinary care will be paid for by Golden Bond Rescue.
Golden Bond Rescue needs caring, responsible dog lovers to join our foster home team by opening their homes and their hearts to our rescued dogs. Here are some common questions people ask about being a foster parent:
The number of foster homes dictates how many dogs we can save. It’s as simple as that!! Please consider fostering a dog today.
Foster homes are responsible for the daily care of the foster dog, including feeding, exercising, socializing, grooming, reinforcing basic obedience commands, and observing and evaluating general behavior and temperament which may require lots of patience on your behalf. You will be providing love and security to a special dog at an often difficult time in his or her life. Foster families will also be responsible for taking the foster dogs to necessary veterinary appointments.
An intake manager will provide direction on what veterinary care is needed. Golden Bond has many approved veterinary clinics throughout the Pacific Northwest. All dogs will require basic vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, and if needed, prescribed home care for minor medical issues, including post-op spay/neuter care. Some fosters may feel comfortable taking on dogs with more complex medical issues.
It can vary from days to weeks to months! As dogs come in to GBR, our priority is matching the dog’s needs with the right foster family. Our foster team filters on characteristics like gender, age, energy level, medical and behavioral needs, and then carefully reviews the potential foster profiles to find the best fit. Fosters with broader profiles and responsiveness to inquiries are more likely to get a dog sooner.
The foster stay varies with each dog. It really depends on the individual dog’s situation. It is realistic to assume that a foster dog will be with you for a month to several months.
No. Many foster family members are employed outside the home and still provide a quality environment for the dog. We do require that any time you are unable to directly supervise the foster dog, he should be crated or confined to a small, secure area in the house until you know how he or she does being left alone. If you have a full-time job, at least one break during the day should be provided, so the dog can stretch its legs and relieve itself.
Yes. A fenced yard is required for both foster care and adoption. In some situations, homes with a secure kennel of adequate size will be considered. Foster dogs must NEVER be allowed to run free. If your yard is surrounded by a secure fence, the dog may be exercised in the fenced yard off leash. When outside the yard, the dog must be on leash at ALL times. Foster dogs are NOT allowed to be taken to dog parks.
The application allows you to provide preferences on the kinds of dogs you foster. We will always attempt to match your preferences with what we know about the dog, but not all information will be known at the time of rescue. If you are asked to foster a dog that does not seem right for you, you can say no. If a foster dog you have accepted proves too difficult to handle, he can be placed elsewhere. But please give the dog time to decompress and adjust to its new environment. Keep in mind that the dog may have come from a difficult situation or due to unfortunate circumstances had to leave a person he or she loved. Sometimes it takes two or three weeks before the dog begins to feel comfortable.
You are never alone in the fostering process! If problems come up, contact your Intake Manager for assistance. Please do not let the problem continue without seeking help. The longer you wait, the worse the problem can become and harder to correct. If needed, we will involve a professional trainer. 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.
If you are fostering and want to go away for a weekend or take a vacation and cannot take the foster dog with you, we will work with you for temporary care of the dog, whether with another Golden Bond Rescue foster home, pet sitter, boarding facility, etc. Let the Intake Manager assigned to your foster dog know as soon as possible, but no later than two weeks prior to your trip, so that arrangements can be made for the dog to be cared for while you are away.
Yes, you undoubtedly will — they bond quickly and give back so much in return for your care and attention. When you meet the new family who’s ready to provide a permanent, loving home for the dog you’ve helped rescue, you, like the rest of the Golden Bond Rescue foster parents, will feel more than satisfied to see the dog move on to a new and better life. So, shed a few tears, hand over the leash, and call us to volunteer to foster another rescued dog!
Lack of funds should not prevent you from fostering, but you will have expenses: for leash and collar, harness, dog bed, food, treats, food and water bowls, ID tag, any toys you provide, gasoline for trips to the vet, etc. On the other hand, Golden Bond Rescue will provide the foster dog’s veterinary expenses and medications. While we appreciate your donation of quality dog food for your foster, we will reimburse you for this expense if you wish.
Golden Bond Rescue recognizes the realities of fostering, including the fact that foster families often fall in love with their foster dogs. Normally we ask that you foster one dog through the entire adoption process before being allowed to adopt your foster dog. However, we have temporarily suspended this policy. We ask that you make your request to adopt known as early as possible, and before anyone is referred to visit the dog for potential adoption.
Golden Bond Rescue researched the safety of rescued dogs with children and found that most dog bites involve children under the age of ten. To ensure our dogs are given a secure environment and the best chance at a successful forever family, we decided not to place our dogs in foster families or adoptive families with children under the age of ten.
The first step is submitting an online Foster Home Application. Keep in mind that we currently need Short Term (up to 3 months) and Any Duration fosters. If you are seeking to foster for less than a month, we may not be able to prioritize processing your application at this time. If you’d like more information, one of our Foster Home Application Specialists will be glad to call you. Simply leave a message on our main phone line (503-892-2897).