- Who can be a foster carer? - Why foster? - How does a dog get into rescue? - How long till dogs get put to sleep? - Why do so many dogs end up in shelters? - Do we miss a fostered dog? - Only want to foster one or two dogs? - How long does it take to rehome a dog? - How do I find a new home? - When a potential new owner contacts me? - How is a dog euthanased? - What if I want to adopt the dog myself? - What if I am renting? - Do rescue groups profit from selling dogs? - Why are dogs desexed? - What are the disadvantages of fostering? - Is there a limit of how many? - Will foster caring reduce the overpopulation? - Why would people want a fostered dog? - A dog from a breeder is better?

Q - Who can be a foster carer?
A - If you can provide food, water, shelter and socialisation with humans then probably you. Different rescue organisations will have different standards of care which may require extra dedication and time. Consider the following items on the checklist below as they will help you to have more of an idea of whether fostering is suitable for you:

- An interest in canines.
- Patience.
- Money for food and basic health costs.
- Approval from family members, housemates and landlord.
- Someone who is home a great deal of the time and that will not be on holidays in the near future.
- A securely fenced yard.
- Current vaccinations on any pets you already have.
- Basic supplies: toys, a leash and collar, dishes, kennel.



Q - Why foster?
A - Foster caring is a way to participate with a group of people interested in the well being of canines.

- You can have foster a dog without having to have a lifetime commitment.

- Saving animals in need is both a rewarding and challenging experience.

- You may not know what breed/type of dog you want. By foster caring, you get to know many different breeds. They all have their own character and traits.

- It may also help your own dog gain a broad experience of socialisation.

- You can gain a more diverse range of experience if you are looking for a career with animals. Things such as; how a dog behaves, training a dog, veterinary experience etc. You also gain confidence in yourself with your ability to ''read' a dog.

Q - How does a dog get into rescue?
A - Most dogs come from council pounds or animal shelters. Volunteers from the rescue group monitor these places and try to find available pre-approved foster carers. The decision to pull a dog from a shelter and move it into foster care is based on several factors. Some of these are: the time a pound allows the dog before it is put to sleep, the status of the dog's health, and/or the overall temperament of the dog (which affects adoptability).



Q - How long till dogs get put to sleep in the pound?
A - Not long.

NSW: dogs with microchips 14 days, dogs without microchips 7 days?

ACT: 3 days for a surrender or 7 days for a stray?

QLD: 3 or 4 days?

VIC: 8 days?

TAS: 5 days (3 days with no disc)?

If the dog is surrendered by the owner it can be put down that day (not all states).




Q - Why do so many dogs end up in animal shelters?
A - Many dogs are strayed and become lost (and not collected by their owners).
- A frequent problem is that someone chooses a breed of dog which is not suitable either to his/her own temperament or lifestyle and the dog ends up in the pound.
- People may not give enough thought to the responsibilities of owning a dog. Petshops often rely on the "impulse buy" and quick/ convenient sale.
- There are puppies irresponsibly bred and are unable to be sold.
- A family may be unwilling to take the dog when they move.
- A family may have a baby and decide that they no longer want a dog.
- The list goes on...



Q - Do we miss a fostered dog once they are adopted?
A - Every dog is missed once placed in their new home. The reward comes from knowing that they are going to give happiness to another family and not being put to sleep. This second chance at life far outweighs the pain of parting with the foster dog. And of course, there are always plenty of other dogs waiting to fill the space they leave.



Q - What if I only want to foster one or two dogs a year?
A - If rescue groups had 10 additional foster homes that fostered only 2 dogs a year we could save an additional 20 dogs from death.



Q - How long does it take to rehome a dog?
A - It depends on the dog and the potential adopters. It is generally preferred that the foster dog remain for a week or two minimum so it can be properly evaluated. For example: is the dog good with cats / strangers / children ? Does he have a soft temperament? Is he an aggressive? Some obedience training?

Some dogs take longer to settle in and adjust to their new surroundings. The more we know about a dog the better match we can make with his new permanent family.

If you take an older dog into foster care you may not be able to find him a new home for some time. Some breeds will also take longer to rehome. It is best to talk to your local rescue group about this, and let them know you prefer a 'fast mover' (a dog that will easily find a home).



Q - How do I find a new home?
A - If you are in a rescue group, they will advertise through their own website, or maybe petrescue. The dogs usually have a photo, description and contact details. If a potential new owner sees a dog they like they will contact whoever is listed.



Q - When a potential new owner contacts me?
A - It is important that you have a discussion with the potential new owner to see if they are committed to having a dog. Make sure the owner is familiar with the temperament, size and some knowledge of the type of dog. People may say they want a puppy but they may not realise the damage to furniture, eaten shoes, sloppy messes and general destruction they can cause.

If the dog does not seem suitable for new owner perhaps suggest another dog already in foster care or tell them a more suitable home is available.

Q - How is a dog euthanased?
A - Usually the dog is injected with a concentrated general anaesthetic, specifically designed for euthanasia. The drug is generally a dark green or blue colour. The needle is usually injected into a vein in the front leg, but occasionally they inject it into the dog's abdomen. The procedure is simple, generally stress free (for the dog) and quick. Death occurs in a few seconds after the needle is injected.

Dogs end up in animal shelters and there is not enough space for them. They in turn must be put to sleep to make room for new dogs.



Q - What if I want to adopt the dog myself?
A - Congratulations! All you have to do is reimburse the rescue group for the expenses incurred. Often foster carers do end up with one permanent dog, then sometimes foster for another dog at the same time. Until you start thinking "just one more" but at some point you will have to draw the line.

Q - What if I am renting, can I still foster?
A - Talk to the landlord of the property you are renting. It's best to talk to him/her face to face if possible. If you are an existing dog owner it is best to present yourself as a responsible pet owner. Have written references from past landlords, neighbours, obedience schools and veterinarians.
Something like:
"...Joe is a very neat and clean housekeeper. I am positive he will take care of any future rental properties. I have also found Rover (Joe's dog) to be a very well behaved dog. No damage was caused by his dog and my experience with Joe and Rover has been a very positive one. I highly recommend him as a tenant."

If you live in WA you can offer to pay a "pet deposit" of up to $100 to cover any damages. Most other Australian states do not permit the payment of pet specific deposits but you can offer to spray a flea control concentrate on completion of your tenancy agreement and make good any damage cause by your dog. You could also offer to make a pet agreement to clearly define behaviour appropriate to the rental premises (e.g.: you will arrange friends to look after your pet if you are away on business or holidays).

Note: Pets are not permitted to be kept in many Strata Title properties because of specific Body Corporate By-laws. Check the By-laws of the Body Corporate in your Strata Title development to identify any special conditions for pets.



Q - Do rescue groups profit from selling dogs?
A - No. Almost all rescue groups are lucky to cover there expenses, most run at a loss. The foster dog is usually sold to reimburse vet fees. Things such as vaccinations, medical tests, desexing and micro chipping are usually carried out while in foster care.

Approximate costs: (depending on size, sex, condition, location)

$30 registration/shelter release fee
$20 to $30 microchip fee
$25 to $70 vaccinations and consultation
$30 to $70 heartworm test and prevention
$130 - $250 desexing

These costs are the minimum for a healthy dog. Sick dogs may add hundreds of dollars to this amount!
Most rescue groups rely on other fund-raising activities to support any urgent medical bills.



Q - Why are dogs desexed?
A - Desexing is warranted based on many reasons. The main one being:
The average number of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year is 2, and the average number of puppies in a litter is 6-10, so one female dog and her offspring, can produce 67,000 dogs in 6 years.

Most people will not breed their dog so why not get it desexed and reduce the risk of its puppies getting put to sleep. Morehere.



Q - What are the disadvantages of foster caring?
A - The dog could bite you or a family member.
- Metal health seems to be a big problem these days. Dedicating all your time to saving dogs without saving some time for yourself will increase stress, anxiety and could also lead to mental illness.
- Dogs and puppies will cause damage to your property.
- A dog may carry a parasite or virus which could be dangerous to other pets at your house. (Get your pets vaccinated beforehand)
- If the dog gets sick you may be responsible for providing extra time and care such as medications and special diets (depending on the rescue group).
- You will have to part with some money. Foster carers must understand that they are doing this work on a voluntary basis. Rescue groups do not profit from rescue and they simply can not afford to pay every single expense a dog incurs while in foster care.



Q - Is there a limit of how many dogs I can foster?
A - It depends on a number of factors. Things such as your lifestyle, abilities, time available, experience, type and size of your property, neighbours, council restrictions etc. Start with one foster dog for a period of time and see how things go, it is best not to overburden yourself.



Q - Will foster caring reduce the pet overpopulation?
A - Maybe, maybe not. It is complicated. Fostering will help however it's not the solution to the problem. Pounds will continue to be full. Only through responsible pet ownership, and responsible breeding will dogs have a better chance in living in a permanent home. The actual awareness created from people and groups working together also plays a role.



Q - Why would people want a rescued dog?
A - Unlike a shelter setting, a foster dog is being constantly evaluated, both physically and behaviorally in someone's home.
- The dog may already be housebroken. The foster carer will have started toilet training the dog/puppy before he is adopted.
- The dog has been socialised. Often the foster carer has other dogs in their care.
- The dog knows some basic obedience. Foster carers regularly deal with dogs, so they know the tips and tricks to develop the dogs behaviour and obedience.
- The dog will be microchipped, desexed and vaccinated.
- A foster carer is more likely to evaluate both the dog and the new owners to be sure that they will be well suited together.
- The foster carer keeps track of whether the dog has an adversity to other animals, children, types of people etc. The volunteer can tell you if the dog should live as an only pet or if the dog would be okay in a multi-pet household.



Q - A dog from a breeder is better?
A - If a person who adopts a dog from rescue it gives money to the rescue group and allows them to continue rescuing. It also allows room for another dog to fill its place, so you are actually saving two dogs lives. If you buy from a breeder you encourage the breeder to continue to breed.