Questions to Ask when Fostering an Older Dog

Fostering a dog can be a rewarding experience both for the fostering family and for the dog. The foster family gets a chance to welcome a temporary pet to their home without much expense and with no long term commitment. And the dog gets to live with a loving family in comfortable surroundings while waiting for a forever home.

While most shelters need foster families for puppies, there are times when they need a foster home for an older dog. When a shelter fosters out an older dog, it's usually because the dog recently had surgery and needs special care. Or it may be that the dog has some physical problems that make it necessary to live outside a cage. Before taking in an older foster dog, you need to know exactly why the dog is being fostered and what you can expect during the fostering process. Below are some questions you should ask before fostering an older dog.

Who supplies the dog food?

Most shelters will send you home with dog food and will let you pick up more food as needed. However, shelters are usually non profit, so they appreciate any expense you can take on yourself. If the foster dog is on a special diet, the food can be expensive. Find out exactly what the dog is supposed to eat and who supplies the food.

Is the dog on any medications?

If the dog is on medications, the shelter will most likely send you home with all the meds the dog needs. But, you should ask just the same. You don't want to leave meds behind and have to make a second trip later. Also ask who pays for any additional meds the dog may need later. Do not assume that the shelter will cover the cost of all medications. Each shelter has their own way of running their foster program.

What kind of grooming can I do?

Ask if you are allowed to bath the dog, clip its nails, brush the dog, shave the dog, etc. Never assume it's okay to groom a foster dog. The shelter may ask you to bring the dog in for regular groomings. Or they may ask that you do all the grooming yourself. If that's the case, ask what type of grooming supplies you need and who supplies them.

What supplies and toys can I take with me?

Do not be afraid to ask the shelter for supplies such as a leash, a bed, blankets, toys, etc. Shelters understand that a foster family may not have dog supplies at home, and they do not expect you to buy lots of supplies for a short dog visit. Just be sure you bring back all the supplies they give you when you return the dog.

What do I do if I go on vacation or leave unexpectedly?

You never know when you might have to take off for a few days or if your fostering lasts longer than expected and overlaps a planned vacation. Ask your shelter what they want you to do if this situation comes up. Some shelters will trust you to find a suitable dog sitter at your expense. Other shelters will allow you return the dog while you are gone.

Who do I call if there is an emergency?

Get a list of emergency phone numbers. You never know when an issue might come up when you need advice or the dog needs medical attention. Ask who you should call after shelter hours, including who you should call in the middle of the night. Some shelters will let you do business with your own veterinarian while other shelters will insist you bring the dog to the shelter for care by their own vets. If you are allowed to visit your own vet, ask who pays. Some shelters will pay up to a certain amount, and you will have to pay the rest. Some shelters have agreements with certain vets. If so, get all the phone numbers.

How long can I foster the dog?

Some shelters have a set fostering period while others might let you foster indefinitely. If the shelter is paying all the costs for food, meds, vet care, etc., they will most likely ask you to return the dog as soon as it is fit to advertise as adoptable. But, if you are paying for nearly all the dog's care, you may be allowed to foster for a very long time, even until the end of the dog's life, without officially adopting. By fostering, and not adopting, you might be able to save on some expenses like vaccination, nail clippings, grooming, etc. The shelter knows that older and special needs dogs are hard to adopt out. And if they see you are a good foster family, they may very well work with you to continue to help pay expenses without asking you to outright adopt the dog.

What if I bring another dog into the home?

Each shelter has its own rules as to how many pets, or what kind of pets, you are allowed to have while you are fostering. Most shelters understand that foster families are also pet lovers and they will allow you to have other pets in the home. However, you should always ask the shelter what their policies are when it comes to multiple pets.

What if I find a potential home for the dog?

Some shelters encourage foster families to find a good home for their pets. After all, if they trust you to care for a dog, they will also trust you to pick a suitable home. Other shelters prefer to find all forever homes on their own with no help from fosters. They might have certain guidelines they must meet and it may just be easier for them to do all the home hunting on their own. If a shelter does not want you to scout out a forever family, and if you find someone who is interested in the dog, simply instruct them to call the shelter and let the shelter handle the details.

Will I be expected to show the dog?

If the dog is up for adoption while in your care, other families may want to see the dog. Ask if you will be expected to show the dog at your home. If you are not comfortable having someone come to your home, you can always arrange to meet a potential forever family at the shelter.

What is the adoption fee and adoption process for this dog?

If you think you might be looking for a forever home for this dog, or if you think it's possible that you might adopt the dog, it's a good idea to be informed as to what the adoption fee and adoption process is for that particular dog. Some shelters waive their adoption fees for older, hard to adopt dogs. Others will even offer incentives to adoptive families such as free vet care for the first year, free start up supplies, etc. Some shelters will need the family to go to the shelter to fill out the paper work. Other shelters may ask you to do that step.

What if I get attached to the dog?

Before you foster an older dog, or any dog, you must ask the shelter if you are allowed to adopt the dog if you should happen to find you can't live without it. Even if you have no intention of adopting, ask just the same. Then, if for any reason you find you are in a position to adopt later, you will not be disappointed. Also, ask if the shelter will give you notice before they adopt the dog out. It can be very hard to surrender a dog to a new family. If the time comes and you just can't do it, you need to know if the shelter will let you keep the dog.

Fostering a dog can be an emotional roller coaster ride for the foster family. It's very easy to fall in love with a foster dog, and very hard to give it up. It's normal to think that you are the only person who could ever love the dog that much. But, there are many, many loving families out there, and your pet shelter does a very good job in finding forever homes. When you return the dog, expect lots of tears. But remember, there is always another foster dog waiting for you. He may be just around the corner.

Source: My own personal experience as a foster mom for the Coastal Human Society in Brunswick, Maine.