If you knew more about what raising a puppy or dog goes into, and the benefits it provides, is this something you would consider? The primary goal of foster care is to temporarily house and prepare a puppy or dog for adoption. Like everything in life, there are pros and cons.
There are decisions to make before committing to raising an animal. Are you willing to make and keep the promise of time, energy, patience, and love? What do you prefer, a puppy or an older dog? Are you aware of the responsibilities associated with that decision? Are you aware that some foster animals may have behavioral problems?
What race, mix, age, size, or gender would you feel most comfortable with? Are you willing to take a senior dog? Would you consider a puppy or dog with a disability or health problem?
How does your family feel about parenting? If you have a pet, how would it react if another animal moved into its territory? Remember, everyone should be comfortable with this decision.
How long are you willing to make the commitment? Some fosters prefer short-term commitments. Others, for as long as necessary. Would you be able to give up the animal, especially knowing that it would go to a loving home? Would you be willing to adopt your foster if your destination is not a forever home?
There will be changes in your routine; it is most likely for the better. You will exercise more!
You may have to provide the food. There are rescues that occasionally help with food expenses.
The most common complaint heard is how attached an adopter has become to their animal. Usually this is done by less experienced fosters. Those who have done it before, have an easier time “letting go”. They are happy that their upbringing has found a loving family, a forever home. There is also another side to the attachment complaint. It is not unusual for the foster parent to decide to keep his ward. Everyone is a winner!
Most shelter dogs are medium to large and/or mixed. If there is a specific breed that you prefer, check with the rescues of that breed. They are overburdened and also looking for foster homes.
Some of the animals in rescues and shelters have health problems, disabilities, or behavioral problems. Would this be a problem for you? There are foster families who prefer to take on the tender and loving care of an elderly or terminally ill animal. They want to offer them the best quality of life, in the little time they may have left. They are undoubtedly extraordinary people. Congratulations to them!
The animal you adopt may require basic obedience or training to educate the family. Are you willing to invest the time necessary to make them more adoptable?
You will most likely have to pass a background check and a home inspection. It is gratifying to know that you have met shelter or rescue standards and qualify to provide a temporary home.
Most shelters/rescues will take care of necessary veterinary and medication expenses. Surprisingly, there are foster homes that absorb these expenses as part of their responsibilities. They deserve congratulations too!
By fostering, it will be a less destroyed animal, and you’ll be creating an opening for the shelter/rescue to offer another pup or dog a roof over its head and food in its stomach, until it finds its forever home.
Bottom line. You will earn the unconditional love and appreciation of the animal you have opened your heart and home to, however long it may be. You will have the rewarding feeling of saving at least one puppy or dog, from being destroyed simply because there are so many out there that need our help.
