Foster Home Information
If you are interested in being a foster home for New Hope Dog Rescue (NHDR) this is the process you can expect to be involved in. You will be asked to fill in a foster care application sheet and to sign a foster care contract. NHDR coordinators will contact you with further information and answer any questions you may have. If you will make a suitable foster home we will add you to our list of available foster homes.
When NHDR receives a rescue dog we will refer to our foster care list and determine the best match of foster home and dog. The foster home will be contacted and we will pass along all information that we have on the dog (remember with some dogs there may be no information available). We will arrange for the dog to be moved to the foster home ASAP. We will arrange a time for spaying/neutering and vaccination of the dog. NHDR will cover the costs of spay/neuter operations, vaccinations and any medical situations which may occur.
Once in a foster home we like to allow the dog some time to settle in with the foster home so a more correct assessment of the dog can be established. The time line will depend on the dog. In the event that a dog comes in without any history of vaccinations the foster home can expect to have the dog for 5-6 weeks as two sets of booster shots will need to be administered in this time frame prior to the dog being adopted. Ideally we like rescues to spend whatever time they need with a foster home until they are stable and prepared to make the adjustment to a new home.
Once the dog has received necessary care and training and is ready for adoption NHDR with help from the foster home will begin the process of searching for a new home. NHDR will arrange visits between potential adopters and the foster home. If someone contacts the foster home expressing interest in the dog it is the foster homes responsibility to notify NHDR so that the necessary paperwork is filled in and a second assessment of potential adopters can be made by NHDR coordinators. Our main concern is to make the best possible match for the dog.
When a potential new home is found NHDR will arrange with the foster home for the dog to spend some time with the potential adopters and will refer to the foster home for their feelings and opinions on the potential adopters. If the match is successful there will be a 24-hour time period for the adopters to think about their decision and for the foster home to prepare for the dog to leave.
We want our foster homes to be involved in the process of re-homing and will strive to maintain regular contact with foster homes that are caring for a rescue dog. Foster homes are an important part of rescue. We want our foster homes to feel that they can contact NHDR coordinators at any time with their questions and concerns.
You do not have to be a dog trainer or have any special talents to foster. You must be able to provide time, care, love and food for a dog on a shorter term basis (until the dog is adopted). Fostering allows people an opportunity to see if a dog is the right pet for their family before making a lifelong commitment. It can allow people who travel and are away from home for several months of the year a chance to enjoy the company of a pet when they are at home. Fostering gives some people the chance to discover what type of dog they can live with. If you love dogs being a foster home is a great way to learn and experience and to give back to man's best friend.
If you are interested in being a foster home contact us at: newhoperescue@hotmail.com