What is a Foster? A Foster is an individual or individuals who agree to take a dog(s) into their home that has been rescued by SSH. They are responsible for the day to day care of the dog – which can be anything from simply feeding them, giving them water and love and attention, to cleaning their ears, grooming, giving them medication, helping housetrain them, and addressing any minor behavioral issues. Fosters are people who may or may not have other dogs presently, but generally have lived with dogs in the past and have some experience. Fosters are NOT people who are thinking of adopting and want to try dogs out in their home to see if they are the right one for them. However, fostering is a good opportunity to get used to the idea of having a dog and determining if Dog guardianship is for you in the future. SSH's ability to save the lives of abandoned dogs depends on fosters who welcome these dogs needing a second chance at a wonderful life into their homes while they are awaiting adoption. Why does SSH use fosters? There are countless reasons why dogs often end up homeless. One of the most important elements of fostering is to learn how to evaluate each dog and to help us determine what the best "forever" home might be for each specific dog. Knowing the temperament of the dog is a valuable tool in determining the forever home. By placing each dog in a home environment. we are able to determine the dog's personality and temperament, including ... Need to be (or not to be) with other dog(s) Ability to be home alone without being bored –resulting in barking, chewing, poor behavior, etc. Does he/she require one-on-one attention Compatible with older children Extent of housetraining Health issues Behavioral issues How long is a dog in a foster home? Generally until the dog is adopted. This could be as little as a week, or, in the case of special needs or hard-to-adopt dogs, a month or more. What happens if I'm fostering and I have to leave town or it's not working out? We will always try to work with fosters to make it work with their schedules. We want the experience to be a pleasant for you and the dog. However, it is important that before making the commitment, you are prepared to see the dog through to its adoption, most fosters want to do that. But if something occurs to prevent that from happening, we are there to support you.
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