How to Foster a Dog: 5 Vet Recommendations

by

How to Foster a Dog: A Veterinarian‘s Guide

Fostering a dog is one of the most rewarding ways to help homeless pets in your community. By temporarily opening your heart and home to a dog in need, you provide a safe haven where they can heal, learn, grow and ultimately find their forever family.

The need for foster homes is huge. According to the ASPCA, approximately 3.1 million dogs enter U.S. animal shelters every year. Many of these dogs are not ready for adoption due to medical issues, behavioral challenges, or simply needing a calm place to call home while waiting for the right adopter. Shelters rely on foster parents to help more dogs find happy endings.

So what does it take to be a great dog foster parent? As a veterinarian with many years of experience, here are my top tips and recommendations for providing excellent foster care:

  1. Work with a reputable rescue group or shelter.
    Look for an organization that is transparent, communicative and supportive of their foster parents. They should provide information on the dog‘s background, set clear expectations for providing care, and cover necessary supplies and medical costs. Ask for references from current foster parents.

  2. Prepare your home for a new furry houseguest.
    Foster dogs may never have lived in a home before or had bad past experiences. Do a safety check of your house and yard. Repair any broken fencing or gates. Hide electrical cords and pick up small objects a dog could swallow. Decide where the dog will sleep, eat and spend most of their time. A quiet back bedroom is often ideal for decompressing.

  3. Have essential supplies ready.
    While the rescue may provide some items, you‘ll want to have extras. Stock up on:

  • A crate, baby gates and/or exercise pen for safely confining the dog as needed
  • Food and water bowls, toys, and enrichment items like puzzle feeders
  • Comfortable, easy-to-clean bedding
  • Collar with ID tags, leash, harness
  • Enzymatic cleaner for accidents
  • High-value treats for training and counterconditioning

  1. Make introductions to family and pets slowly.
    First impressions are important for foster dogs. Keep initial greetings calm and positive. Provide space and let the dog approach people on their own terms. Limit access to the whole house at first to prevent overwhelm. Use baby gates, closed doors or a crate to separate the foster dog from other pets, and supervise closely. Watch for signs of anxiety or defensiveness.

  2. Establish a consistent daily routine.
    Dogs thrive on predictability. Create a schedule for all of the foster dog‘s needs – feeding, toileting, exercise, playtime, rest, and training. Aim to take the dog out to potty after all meals, naps and periods of excitement. Work on alone-time training to build independence. Provide physical exercise and mental enrichment with puzzle toys, sniffing games and short training sessions.

  3. Help your foster dog build confidence.
    Many foster dogs are under-socialized and fearful of new places, people and things. Introduce new stimuli gradually and pair with high-value treats. Let the dog set the pace – never force interactions. Keep outings short at first and end on a positive note. Consult a professional positive reinforcement trainer for any concerning body language or behavior. Building trust takes time and patience.

  4. Teach basic manners and house skills.
    Work on foundation obedience skills like sit, down, come, stay, leave-it and loose-leash walking. Practice good house manners such as the "sit to say please" rule for polite greetings. Reward desired behavior and redirect any unwanted chewing or jumping. If not already trained, work on house-training by taking the dog out frequently, rewarding eliminations outside and neutrally interrupting/redirecting accidents inside.

  5. Communicate openly with the rescue.
    Your role as a foster parent is to be the rescue‘s eyes and ears. Keep them informed on the dog‘s progress and notify them immediately of any medical or behavioral concerns. Ensure the dog receives all necessary veterinary care and medications. Share your observations on the dog‘s ideal future home environment and needs. Send photos and videos for marketing purposes.

  6. Promote your foster dog for adoption.
    The ultimate goal of fostering is to help the dog get adopted! Take appealing photos that highlight the dog‘s personality. Write an honest, engaging bio for adoption profiles. Network on social media and with family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, etc. If allowed, take your foster dog out wearing an "adopt me" vest or bandana. Bring them to adoption events. The more exposure, the faster they will find their match.

  7. Prepare yourself and the dog to say goodbye.
    The day your foster dog gets adopted is bittersweet. You will likely feel mixed emotions – joy, pride, grief, loss. This is totally normal. Stay positive when bringing the dog to meet potential adopters and on adoption day. Try to get updates and photos from the new family if possible. Remember, by saying goodbye to this dog, you now have space to help save another life. And hey, if you end up being a "foster fail", no shame – sometimes you just know it‘s meant to be.

Fostering a dog comes with challenges, but immense rewards. You witness neglected dogs transform with love. You protect vulnerable puppies until they are fully vaccinated. You mend broken spirits and see the light return to their eyes. You teach old dogs new tricks and prepare them for success in a home. You make a difference with each dog you foster.

Although not everyone is in a position to foster, you can still help. Donate supplies, money or time to your local rescue groups. Spread the word about the importance of fostering. Together, we can ensure every companion dog finds health, safety, and love.

For more information on fostering, check out the following resources:

With preparation, education and commitment, you too can make a lifesaving difference through dog fostering. On behalf of the countless dogs who will benefit from your compassion, thank you.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

You May Like to Read,