Fostering a dog in your home is one of the most rewarding things you can do. To take a dog to give it shelter and care, without the assurance of when it can find a forever home, is one noble deed. If you think you are ready to be a foster parent, you must understand all the risks and benefits of it.
Know Your Purpose
Before opening your heart and home to a shelter dog, you must understand yourself first. You feel the calling to help dogs find a loving family in your heart. Suppose there is space in your home and you have the resources to nurture and heal a broken dog; then this is the right time.
If you’re unfamiliar with the fostering process, you must know that you are committing to a stranger dog. There will be an emotional connection and an emotional strain when it is time to let it go. You must be ready for that.
Know the Responsibilities
Time and effort are necessary to fulfill the obligations you need to face. Before you bring a dog home, you must see the bigger picture and understand all the details. These will ensure that you can last the entire fostering process.
A Loving Environment
The main responsibility of a foster fur parent is to provide a safe space and a loving environment. This means you provide the same amount and quality of care as you would to your own dog. You have to provide healthy food, the opportunity for socialization, and ample exercise to make the dog happy and healthy. In most cases, this will be a new experience for the dog.
Health Provider
There are cases when foster dogs have medical or dental issues. You must be able to perform the duties of a caregiver to nurse them back to health. Don’t forget that you have to be able to transport the dog to and from the vet for checkups or dental care for dogs.
Personal Trainer
As a foster parent, you must be consistent with training. You may need to participate in obedience training to help them prepare for their forever homes. Also, if the dog needs physical rehabilitation after surgery, you must make time to help them with that. To get more info on surgery and physical rehab, why not visit veterinary websites?
The Designated Spokesperson
You have to give reports to the shelter or rescue workers regarding the dog’s development, personality, and behavior. On top of this, you also need to speak with potential adopters to let them know more about the dog. These interactions will determine who can be the perfect match for the dog.
Know the Costs
Most shelters and organizations have a tight budget. Some may just depend on donations, even. These foster programs prioritize the needs of the dogs, so they look for foster parents that can provide.
Simply put, you will not make money. In fact, you may even find yourself spending for the fosters in places like the vet pharmacy. Rewards come in different forms, though. The overwhelming love that is sure to grow and knowing that you are saving a life are priceless.