How to Foster a Dog

According to the Humane Society of the United States, shelters in the United States euthanize a dog or cat every eight seconds. This totals over four million animals each year, many of whom have spent months in overcrowded environments waiting for adoption. After a certain period, new animals coming into the shelters need their place, and those whose adoption is becoming less likely must make way for them. Fostering a dog while you search for a forever home for it makes space in the shelter for another and saves both from potential euthanasia.

Things You'll Need

  • Contact details for local shelters
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Instructions

    • 1

      Contact the shelters in your area to find out if they are looking for foster homes. Discuss your options with them and make sure you understand their policies, the length of time it takes on average to find a home, and whether they will cover the costs of fostering the dog. Some organizations contribute to the cost of the dog's food, while others only cover veterinary bills.

    • 2

      Choose a dog that is most suited to your home environment. For example, if you take a young, energetic dog you must be able to spend time exercising it. Make sure that it will fit in with your family and lifestyle, and that your premises will be able to accommodate it.

    • 3

      Take the dog home and introduce it to your family and other pets. If you have dogs that are not used to having strangers in their home, bring them out onto the sidewalk on leash and introduce them there. This will avoid the territorial instinct and enable them to meet on equal terms, and then walk into your yard all together.

    • 4

      Vaccinate your other pets and make sure their parasite prevention programs are up to date. The foster dog may not have been well looked after and could infect your pets if they are vulnerable.

    • 5

      Fit the foster dog with a collar and an identification tag or microchip. The shelter you are working with may provide this, and you will need to take precautions against the dog escaping until it has settled in.

    • 6

      Keep the foster dog safe until you are certain of its manners and habits. If you work or are away for extended periods, it's best to crate the dog until you are sure that it gets along with your other pets. This will also help protect your home against soiling or destruction.

    • 7

      Take the dog for regular walks around your neighborhood, so that it knows the way back to your house. The foster dog may have suffered abuse in the past, and until it feels confident with you it may be easily spooked and run off, so keep it on leash at all times.

    • 8

      Give the dog love and understanding. Remember that you have no idea what the dog has been through and what bad habits it may have learned in former homes. Never punish it for anything; try to correct undesirable behavior by using positive training methods, praise and rewards.