Dog Fostering

Short Term Ownership

Dog fostering can be a great alternative to owning a dog and sometimes save a dog from a fate worse than death. That’s how we got into the dog care and dog training business many years ago. In our case it was helping the RSPCA when they were rescuing Beagles from research in Sweden. A lot has happened since those days but, for us, it was a good introduction.

Dogs and puppies become abandoned or abused for many reasons. One of the primary reasons is that owners do not have the commitment to pet ownership that they should. Many times when a dog is brought into the family it is because of a whim or to satisfy a temporary desire with little thought to whether they have the means, the need or the commitment to ownership.

Every day too many dogs are euthanized because they have been abandoned. City shelters and rescue organizations are overwhelmed with the numbers they have to take in or put down. Many times dogs are turned away from shelters because they are full to overflowing.

A lot of times, these dogs may have been faithful companions only to find their owner has no real love for them after all. These are the really sad cases. They have been loyal and then left. They don’t know why. Others are dumped because they are disobedient because the owner didn’t know how to train them and didn’t seek advice.

Is a dog right for you? To be a true parent to a pet is no different to being a parent to a child – and sometimes more rewarding. If a pet parent teaches their dog obedience they will very seldom encounter behavioral problems.

Rather than go out and buy a puppy from the internet or even a reputable place such as a shelter or rescue group, find out if a dog is for you. Do you know which breed or size of dog is right for your environment? A simple way to find out is through a fostering program.

Fostering a dog or puppy can have a great impact on a lot of lives. The lives of the dogs you are saving, because you are indeed saving their lives, will be greatly improved. Your own life will reap benefits through the joy of having a dog.

There are many benefits to fostering a dog or puppy.

• Dog fostering may be short or long term.
• You can choose the type and size of dog
• You can schedule ownership time – take vacations.
• You can leave the program at any time
• You can look after a variety of breeds.

Fostering a dog or puppy gives you a better understanding of the different breeds and temperaments should you take the plunge and actually adopt one. As you look after a dog in a fostering program, you learn each dog’s idiosyncrasies. This is valuable information that will be passed on to their new owners.

Helping a dog as a foster parent, you are saving yet another life being euthanized and getting a second chance. Puppy or dog fostering can be most rewarding, ask any foster parent.

Dogs and puppies are abandoned due to no fault of their own. They are only the way that they are because of mistreatment, lack of training or an owner’s lack of knowledge when they first get a dog. There is no need for animal shelters and rescue groups to be filled to the brim with lost and abandoned animals.

Dog fostering programs are in place to help curb the growth of abandoned animals. All dogs that are given up for adoption or are fostered have received all of their necessary vaccinations. They have been neutered or spayed to prevent unnecessary future breeding and in many cases they are ID with microchips. All they need is a good home.

Even a temporary home provides relief for the rescue organizations. It gives people like me and you the opportunity to be their owner even if only for a little while. Helping save a life and learning about all the different breeds and behaviors is one of the most rewarding experiences you can imagine.

Call your local city animal shelter or an animal rescue group near you for more details. You will not be disappointed with dog fostering.