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Information About Fostering for TGRR |
One great advantage
to our relatively small Rescue program is our commitment
to fostering each dog in our own homes prior to adopting
it to a permanent home. This is a way to get to know each
dog before trying to match the needs of a family and a dog,
and a way to work on any training that might be necessary.
We can not do this without FOSTER HOMES!! So please consider
fostering for us. Below are the answers to some common questions
people considering fostering have.
If
you would
like to foster, or to learn more about fostering, please
call our voice mail line and leave a message after the tone
at 336-288-9944, or send a message with TGRR Foster
in the subject line to foster@tgrr.org.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS
WITH THE FOSTER DOG?
The Foster Home and Adoption Coordinators as well as the TGRR
Veterinarian are available for telephone consultation on any
problems.
TGRR needs caring, patient, and responsible Golden lovers to
join our foster home team by opening their homes and their hearts
to our rescue Goldens.
A key component of TGRR’s rescue program is the foster
home. The principle behind fostering is to provide the dogs entrusted
to our care with a home environment to expedite their mental
and/or physical rehabilitation and to evaluate their habits and
behavior. This will allow TGRR place the dog with the new family
and improve the chances of lifelong enjoyment for the dog and
the new family.
Here are some questions people ask about being a foster parent.
Please take a moment to review them and, if you think fostering
might be for you, one of our TGRR volunteers will be happy to
talk further with you about joining our team!
HOW MUCH TIME DOES IT TAKE TO BE A FOSTER
PARENT?
From an hour or two a day to however much time you are able
to spend with the dog.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO FOSTER A DOG?
Lack of funds should not prevent you from fostering, however
you will have some expenses: telephone calls and any toys you
choose to provide. Food will be provided by TGRR if you so desire.
Necessary veterinary expenses, including heartworm preventive,
are paid by TGRR.
WHAT WILL I NEED TO DO AS A FOSTER PARENT?
Foster homes are responsible for daily care of the foster dog,
including:
• Feeding
• Exercising
• Socializing/Includes inside lifestyle with family
Brushing and grooming, as needed
• Reinforcing basic obedience commands
• Observing and evaluating general behavior and temperament
• And, of course, providing love and security to a special
Golden at an often-difficult time in his or her life.
TGRR foster homes play a significant role in facilitating the
dog’s adoption to a new home. As a foster parent, you will
make recommendations to help select the best adoptive family
for your foster Golden (you know him/her best).
You will be a part of the actual adoption along with our Adoption
Coordinator. The Foster Parent generally gets the adoption placement
contract signed and collects the adoption fee. Once the dog is
placed, you may be asked to do a follow-up telephone phone call
on the dog’s initial adjustment to his/her new home and
family.
HOW LONG DOES THE DOG STAY IN FOSTER CARE?
IF the Golden is healthy, two to three weeks are typical. Sometimes
a week is all that is needed; other dogs may need months. It
depends on their background and the number of pending applications.
Your update on the Golden helps to expedite the process since
potential owners check our website for information on dogs regularly.
WHAT IF I WANT TO ADOPT THE GOLDEN I AM FOSTERING?
Should you decide to be a foster home, it should be with the
understanding that you are working towards helping a deserving
Golden to a final home, and not with the goal to "pick or
choose" a Golden you may wish to adopt.
We treat the foster home and potential adopter equally based
on order of applications. Should you think you might wish to
adopt a Golden, we require that a completed TGRR Adoption Application
be on file. Foster desires should be voiced prior to outside
requests to visit the dog.
DO I HAVE TO BE HOME WITH THE DOG ALL DAY?
No, many of our foster family members are currently employed
full or part-time and still provide a quality environment for
the dog. However, our first concern is safety; for you, your
family, your own dog(s) and the rescue dog. Therefore, we require
that any time you are unable to directly supervise the foster
dog, he must be confined to a small, secure area, preferably
a training crate, secure run or a confined area in the home.
(TGRR will supply a crate if you do not have one.)
DO I NEED A FENCED YARD?
A fenced yard is highly desirable and the dogs must NEVER be
allowed to run free. The dog has to be on a leash at all times
when outside of the secured yard. We also would like the Golden
to spend some in your house since they will be living in the
new adoptive family’s home.
WILL I BECOME ATTACHED TO MY FOSTER DOG?
Yes, you undoubtedly will – they bond quickly, and give
so much back in return for your care and attention. When you
meet and/or talk with the new family who is ready to provide
a permanent, loving home for the dog you have helped rescue,
you –like the rest of TGRR’s foster homes – will
feel more than satisfied to see him/her move on to a new and
better life. This also enables you to open up your home and heart
to another needy Golden. Many foster homes stay in contact with
the adopting family and dog after placement.
MAY I CHOOSE WHICH DOGS I FOSTER?
The application allows you to set limits on the kinds of dogs
you foster. If you are asked to foster a dog that does not seem
right to you, you can say no. If a foster dog you have accepted
proves difficult to handle or doesn’t get along with your
pets, we can give you expert advice and help or he/she can be
placed elsewhere.
I WOULD LIKE TO FOSTER. WHAT DO I DO NEXT?
Once your family has decided together to foster a Golden Retriever,
please call TGRR at 336-288-9944 and
leave a message on the last mailbox.
The Foster Home Coordinator will contact you to talk in more
detail about your responsibilities and answer your questions.
IF I CANNOT FOSTER, IS THERE ANOTHER WAY TO
HELP?
YES! You can volunteer to transport Goldens to our veterinary
facility or to the foster home from the veterinarian, or serve
on any number of our activities including:
Annual Rescue Reunion
Education
Fund Raising
Home Visits
Newsletter
Transportation
If you would be interested in any of these activities, give
us a call. We would appreciate your help, and you will be glad
to become more involved with a group that shares your love of
Goldens.
10 GREAT REASONS TO FOSTER A GOLDEN:
1. Nothing is more satisfying than to make a sad dog happy
again.
2. You’re saving a life!
3. Your dog gets a playmate.
4. It feels so good to change a dog’s bleak outlook
to one of sheer happiness.
5. You become a lifetime member of the "Make a Difference
Club."
6. You can’t find a stronger support system.
7. It’s a great reason to get out for a walk in the
park.
8. You get the inside scoop on all the great tips for obedience
and behavior problems.
9. Every time you pet a dog your blood pressure goes down.
10. Every time a dog gets petted his confidence goes up.
11. Nothing compares to the transformation of a frightened
rescue to a trusting companion.
12. They’re like grandchildren, glad to see them come,
glad to see them go (to a good home of course!).
13. Golden hair makes super knitting projects for the kids.
14. Nobody is happier to see you come home.
15. Did I say 10 reasons?
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