Fostering FAQs

by | Sep 17, 2017 | Fostering

Fostering FAQs

Fostering Application

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, please contact us…we’d love to hear from you.

Q: What is a foster home for dogs?

A foster home is a temporary placement for our dogs to live until they are adopted.  The foster parents are responsible for basic house training (if needed), socialization (both humans and animals), health care, and temperament assessment of a placed pet.

The foster family is the ‘advocate’ for the dog for potential adopters. We rely on our foster parents to assess the personality of the pet, identify any behavioral issues that need to be worked on, etc.  The more information the foster home can provide, the more likely the ultimate placement of the pet is successful. Fostering is a very fulfilling way to help out. If you’ve thought about adopting a dog, but aren’t quite sure what breed is best for you, fostering is a wonderful way to try out different breeds and determine whether they are suitable for your lifestyle. The more foster parents we have – the more pets we can help!

Q: Can I choose the dog I foster?

A:  Our dogs are placed based on need, temperament, and your abilities. You can identify preferences in the foster application process as well as what type of dog would not fit into your family. 

Q: How long do you have to foster a dog for?

There is no set time.  Some dogs are require a special family to find them and that can take longer than another dog.   Just know that there is a time commitment. You may be asked to foster a dog from two weeks to two months, depending on circumstances.

Q: Can foster parents adopt their foster pets?

Yes!  As long as the foster parents meet the necessary requirements for adopting, foster parents have the first choice to adopt their foster pets, unless otherwise specified.

Q: Who pays for the foster dog’s expenses?

A: While our rescues are in the foster program, we pay for all food, supplies and vet bills.  We just need you to provide a loving, nurturing home until they can find their forever home.

Foster Application

by | Sep 17, 2017 | Fostering

Foster Application

Are you looking for a temporary roommate? 

Completing this application does not put the applicant under any obligation and does not guarantee that the applicant will foster a dog. All information is confidential.

Foster Homes Needed

by | Sep 17, 2017 | Fostering

Foster Homes Needed

The more foster homes we have the more dogs we are able to help at a time.  

Fostering FAQsFostering Application

More Homes. More Dogs. It’s that simple!

Thank you for your interest in becoming a foster parent to one of our pets!  Rescue groups such as ours rely on the support of volunteers who offer to temporarily house an animal in need.  ​We are always looking for qualified foster homes to care for our rescue dogs.  If you’ve ever thought about fostering but didn’t know how to go about it, please contact us.  Helping Paws Rescue pays for vet costs, food and supplies – all you have to do is supply your time. Fostering can be a very rewarding experience! It’s all the benefits of having a dog without the long term commitment. The dogs will love you!

Before you fill out the form, here are some things to think about: It is important that everyone in your home is in agreement with willing to help with the animal.

The following are things to consider and discuss when fostering:

  1. Is everyone in the home supportive of being a foster home?
  2. Will everyone have a role? Who will fill in when the other is not available and are they willing and committed to help?
  3. Understand that many of these dogs have limited history.
  4. Are you prepared and willing to help with the dog on learning better basic habits ? Some of these being: house training, crate training, leash manners, learning respect & boundaries or caring for a scared or timid dog.
  5. What is your current lifestyle/routine?
  6. What kind of dog do you think will fit in with your home?
  7. If you have existing pets- are they balanced pets? Are they used to sharing their space/ home with other animals? We do ask and prefer that if your current dogs are not used to or will NOT tolerate other dogs in their space/ home/ yard etc, to not apply. This is for the fairness and safety of all pets.
  8. If you have children, are they respectful of a dog’s space and understand how to interact with a dog in a respectful manner?
  9. Are you prepared to 100% supervise, educate and assist where necessary?

If you feel that fostering might be something you can do to help better a pets life, please complete our Foster Application.