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What to Know About Fostering a Dog Before Adopting
Fostering a Dog Before Adoption – If you’re not sure if a prospective new dog will be a good match for your family, which include other pet members – then consider fostering a dog before you adopt.
This can be a win-win for both you and the canine. This way you’ll get to see if the dog is a fit for you, and visa versa. Rehoming a dog is a big deal. It’s a commitment for life. So it’s just as important that your family is good for the dog too.
Why Fostering a Dog is Ideal for New Dog Owners
If you are an experienced dog owner the chances are you’ve been through many stages of owning a dog. And, you are able to handle almost anything your dog is going through. New dog owner on the other hand, may be a little unsure of what to expect. This may be what type of dog to get, the size of a dog, energy levels, and so on.
And, though no one should ever enter into fostering or adopting a dog without considering all the factors. Fostering is a great way to get to know dogs.
In a world where so many pets go unloved and unwanted, there are many reasons why you should consider fostering a homeless dog. These dogs are taken to the pound, and if no one claims them, they’re either put to sleep or held in a cramped space with very limited human interaction.
Fostering a dog before you become a pet owner is a great way to see what dog ownership entails, and which breed you feel will be a good fit for your family. You’re also making more room for other homeless dogs to get rescued.
Benefits of Fostering a Dog
Fostering a dog means you take them into your home. You will feed them and care for them. And you’ll figure out their temperament. This way the an adoptive family can find out what the dog is like and whether or not it will be a good match for their home.
How Long Can You Foster a Dog?
The goal of fostering is to care for the dog until he/she is placed in forever home. But there are a variety of foster arrangements. For example – some shelters will set a specific period of time such as a week – two weeks. This will give enough time to figure out if you and the dog are a good fit for each other.
Other rescue shelters or groups who are low on space, are happy to place dogs with a foster parent. As it frees up space for other dogs in need. And, there are rescue agencies that require fosters dog parents to care for a rescue until the dog is ready to be placed in their arranged home. And, yes there a some foster homes for pregnant mom dogs to be.
Some people foster dogs for the lifetime of the dog. This may happen for senior dogs or those with special needs. In these events the shelter may helps with medical care to help these amazing fosters to provide the much needed care.
The beauty of fostering to adopt is that you can match a dog to the needs of your family. Do you want a puppy, or how about an adult dog or maybe you want a senior dog who wants to snuggle.
Foster a Lovable Senior Dog
The dogs can be of all ages, from puppies who are too young to yet be adopt, to senior dogs who may have been left behind after their owner passed away or neglected. Many dogs are in good health, while others may have injuries they’re recovering from. But loving shelters and rescue agencies will make sure they care for the dogs before they are available before foster or adoption.
If the dog is a stray or has been abused, a foster parent might help the animal get socialized around humans and other pets, such as other dogs, and even cats. This helps the adoptive family make a future decision.
Ask Question When You Foster a Dog Before Adopting
When you foster a dog, make sure you ask some basic questions to see if the dog is a good fit for you. You may want to know how long he’s been at the shelter and if he’s showing any signs of frustration, such as intense pacing or restlessness.
Medical Issues
You want to know if he has any medical issues – especially if you have other pets in the home and it might affect them. Ask the rescue group who pays for the medical procedures and medications. Because they often have vets who pick up the tab as volunteers, or have a lower rate, or they pay for it themselves.
Up to Date Vaccinations
You definitely want to make sure the animal has had all of its vaccinations and that a thorough exam has been completed on the dog to see if it has heart worms, etc. There may be good reason to delay the fostering or keep the dog separate from your pets.
Training and Behavioral Issues
The group may be able to tell you if the dog is housetrained or if he has any aggression issues you need to watch out for. Sometimes, the foster parent is the one who finds all of this crucial information out.