Foster

A. As a foster parent, you allow a dog to live in your home until he or she is adopted. Aside from regular day-to-day care (e.g., feeding, grooming, exercise), the responsibilities of a foster parent may include basic training (e.g., house training, walking on a leash, basic command training); behavior modification to correct problems such as jumping, mouthing, barking, and/or destructive chewing; socialization and temperament evaluation to determine whether the dog is good with different types of people, children, and other animals; medical care, such as dispensing medication or taking the dog to vet appointments; and, of course, plenty of playtime and snuggling.

A. TSCR covers all veterinary expenses for your foster dog. TSCR will also provide a slip lead, collar and ID tag, leash, harness, and seat belt tether. TSCR has several crates for use with fosters and will assist with a purchase if one is not already available. Fosters generally only cover the cost of basic food, toys, treats, etc. If assistance is needed with these items, feel free to reach out to your TSCR Regional Manager.

A. TSCR works with several vets who not only charge a special rescue rate but also have a great deal of experience with rescue dogs/former shelter dogs and the medical challenges common to them. TSCR prefers to use those vets, but if getting a dog to those vets is a hardship for a foster, and if TSCR is familiar with the foster’s personal vet, we may be willing to work with the foster for non-major issues.

We may also be able to assist with transportation to vet appointments with our own preferred vets.

A. TSCR has an Adoption Committee. TSCR will promote the dog, screen potential adopters, and arrange home visits and meetings between you (the foster) and potential adopters.

As a foster parent, we want you to take an active role in the adoption of your foster dog. The Adoption Committee will contact you with an approved adopter who may be a good fit for your foster. You will also receive the applicant’s vet reference information, home visit information, pictures, and interview notes. We will ask you to reach out to the applicant, discuss your assessment of the dog, ask questions, and determine if you think the placement is a good one. You do not get placed on the spot, as you will not be required to tell the potential adopt yes or no; the Adoption Committee will respond to the applicant based on your input and the information from the items previously listed.

Additionally, you would need to make the dog available for potential adopters to meet and/or for visits to the potential home. The final adoption approval will lie with TSCR, but foster input is heavily weighed in the decision, as no one knows the dog as well as you do.

A. For many dog lovers, this fear is one of the biggest obstacles to fostering. The simple answer is: “Yes.” You will get attached to your foster, and we wouldn’t expect anything less! Caring for, training, and watching a dog flourish under your care is a fantastic bonding experience.

However, watching a family meet and fall in love with your foster, and sign on to provide that dog with a wonderful life, is one of the most fulfilling and selfless acts that one can perform. It also allows you to provide that same foster experience for another dog in need.

No good foster parent will ever say that they foster because it’s easy to let a foster go; instead, they’ll tell you that they foster because it’s even harder to watch dogs die due to limited resources within shelters and rescues.

A. Fostering can be a short-term or long-term commitment, depending on the circumstances of the dog and the time that it takes to finalize an adoption. Ideally, a foster parent should have some flexibility, as sometimes the unexpected does happen (e.g., a transport is delayed, medical treatment takes longer than expected), but TSCR will do everything possible to work with you and any limitations you may have.

A. Yes! When applying to foster, you’ll be able to tell us if there are specific criteria for a dog that you can foster. Must like cats? OK. Puppies only? That’s fine. Prefer a senior or special needs dog? Wonderful!

If we don’t have a dog in need that fits your criteria right now, we can almost promise that we will find one eventually. We are continuously bringing in dogs that need to be rehomed. When we do find one that matches your criteria, we will contact you to see if circumstances allow you to accept a foster at that time.

A. TSCR does allow fosters to apply to adopt. However, fosters’ applications go through the exact same process as any other adoption candidate. When we have a waiting list, applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received. This in no way implies “first come first serve” on adoptions, as we look to place the right dog in the right home. The application date is only one of many items that the Adoption Committee reviews.

A. We will do everything possible to ensure that your foster is a proper fit before you take him or her into your home. In the event that issues arise after your foster comes home, you should contact your TSCR Regional Manager to see what can be done to place the foster animal in a new foster home. We may even be able to help you resolve those issues and keep your foster.

A. Absolutely! We understand that fostering can be a daunting prospect for many people. We have experienced fosters with whom we can connect you to answer questions before you foster—or help with any issues that arise once you have accepted a foster dog into your home. They can help explain how to introduce a foster to resident animals, help resolve behavioral issues, provide training tips, and offer many other resources.

A. Great! Please fill out our online Foster Application!

Our rescue is staffed 100% by volunteers, but our Foster Team does their best to review new applications and contact applicants within a few business days.