New Hope Dog Rescue is run by volunteers, so we are always in need of loving, caring people to assist us in our effort to save dogs.

We’ re a registered charity and run solely by our dedicated volunteers.   Every dog, every life, that we save comes directly from the efforts of a volunteer. Volunteers help with everything from fostering dogs to working at fundraisers, and we need new volunteers now more than ever.  If you would like to volunteer, there are several opportunities available:

• Fostering Dogs - Foster homes provide temporary shelter, food, and a loving family to dogs in need. New Hope doesn’t operate in  a shelter facility,  every dog in our care depends on a foster home. If you’re interested in fostering a dog, please fill out the foster home application form.
• Working at Fundraisers - New Hope pays for medical expenses, food, toys, and treats through the various fundraisers we host. Annual events needing volunteers include the used book sale,  the dog walkathon and the Pets in the Park event.
• Other Projects -  Besides working at fundraisers and fostering dogs, New Hope needs volunteers for several other projects. These include walking dogs while foster homes are away, making posters, organizing fundraisers, answering emails, manning our phone line, and other tasks.

We appreciate all the help we can get.  If you have some time to volunteer please contact newhoperescue@hotmail.com.

What does it take to become a foster home for New Hope?

New Hope Dog Rescue (NHDR) is  always in desperate need of looking for people willing to open their hearts and homes to dogs and puppies in need.  We can only help as many dogs as we have available open foster homes. Each week we turn away dogs because we don’t have enough foster homes to help. You can make a difference to a dog in need by giving them love, housing and new hope. In many situations, you will be saving the life of that dog.

Fostering Information

Physical conditions for the dog:

• • Comfortable indoor home (dog standards….does not have to be the Ritz)
  • A fully fenced yard
    • Some of our foster homes do not have fenced yards but they have an exercise plan (leash walks) and supervised off leash time after they know or have taught the dog a recall
  • Exercise time – walking, biking, running, swimming, ball fetching, Frisbee, etc.
    • Exercise needs depends on the dog
  • Some training or retraining if necessary
    • NHDR will pay for obedience classes when needed
  • Rules, boundaries and limitations
  • Transportation to and from veterinary appointments

Personal skills should include:

• • Some experience with dog handling
    • Have owned a dog previously and preferably taken an obedience class or done training using positive reinforcement with their own dog
  • The ability to love and let go
    • Think of it as dog sitting. Your foster dog is just staying until the right family comes along.
  • The understanding that each of your charges are perfect in their imperfections
  • The ability to work with a team for the welfare of the dog in spite of personal feelings
  • The ability to organize, process and provide paperwork (small amount)
  • Willingness to be a part of the process of placing your charge in a new forever home
    • The foster home knows the dog best and appropriate placement depends on feedback from the foster home.
    • Updating pictures and biographies of the dog for the website

What does NHDR provide for its foster homes?

• • Dog food
  • Materials the dog will need such as kennels, collars and leashes
  • Vetting
  • Moral support for the foster family
  • Also tools and support for training
  • Lots of opportunities for personal growth
  • Lots of opportunities to volunteer
  • Lots of opportunities to fall in love again and again and again

Frequently Asked Questions:

How long will we have to keep the dog or puppy?
The average stay for one of our dogs is 45 days.  Some last only a week or 2 while other stay a month or more and some dogs can be with us for a long time. It’s very difficult for us to predict who will go quickly. Frequent updates and pictures help enormously to capture the heart of a potential adopter.

What if the dog requires medical care?
Most of our dogs are seen by Dr. Teresa Chu at All About Cats and Dogs Veterinary Clinic. Most of our vaccinations, deworming, microchipping is done by our volunteer veterinarian or a qualified volunteer to help keep costs minimal. We ask that you assist in this process by helping scheduling a time and/or transporting your dog for medical care. All veterinary costs must be preapproved.

What if the dog does not get along with our resident animals
We will provide information regarding introducing animals to resident pets.  If we are unable to resolve the issues, we will remove the animal as soon as we are able.

What happens if we go on vacation?
We will arrange for another of our foster homes to keep the dog while you are away or board the dog at a kennel at our expense.

Who is responsible for interviewing potential new homes?
An adoption application must be completed and each applicant is screened by one of our adoption co-ordinators before they can view an animal.  Once an application is pre-approved it is sent to the foster home for their feedback and they are asked to set up an appointment at a convenient time for the foster home. Yo

How many dogs can be fostered at once?
How big is your house??  That depends on whether you are fostering puppies or adults, how much time you are away from home and how much dog experience you have.  Typically, no more than 2 adult dogs but you could foster a whole litter of puppies if you have the space and patience.

I see a dog I want to foster on the website… Can I try that one?

In most cases dogs on the website are already in foster homes. We will not move a dog to another foster home unless the foster home can no longer look after the dog

What if we want to keep the dog?
Provided that we are not in the midst of an application, you may adopt the dog or puppy. However, remember that when you let go, it means another can be saved.

After I fill out the applications, what’s next?

We have someone come and have a face-to-face meeting with you in your home, to confirm information on the application. We collect the pen-signature application forms and terms of agreement at this time. The terms are important and they do further outline the rules and expectations we have of our foster homes. Then we check to see if a suitable foster dog on the waiting list is a match for you. If not, we circulate our waiting list on a regular basis, just let us know if you see one you can help.. There is a constant need and the wait is not usually long. However, foster homes with stricter or more specific requirements do limit which animals we can place with them…

The Reason

To you, from all your rescue dogs…

I would’ve died that day if not for you.
I would’ve given up on life if not for your kind eyes.
I would’ve used my teeth in fear if not for your gentle hands.
I would have left this life believing that all humans don’t care
Believing there is no such thing as fur that isn’t matted,
skin that isn’t flea bitten, good food and enough of it, beds to sleep on,
someone to love me, to show me I deserve love just because I exist.
Your kind eyes, your loving smile, your gentle hands
Your big heart saved me…
You saved me from the terror of the pound,
Soothing away the memories of my old life.
You have taught me what it means to be loved.
I have seen you do the same for other dogs like me.
I have heard you ask yourself in times of despair
Why you do it
When there is no more money, no more room, no more homes
You open your heart a little bigger, stretch the money a little tighter
Make just a little more room…to save one more like me.
I tell you with the gratitude and love that shines in my eyes
In the best way I know how
Reminding you why you go on trying.
I am the reason
The dogs before me are the reason
As are the ones who come after.
Our lives would’ve been wasted, our love never given
We would die if not for you.
Author Unknown