Things to consider when fostering

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As one of our foster homes, the only thing you need to provide is the home and the love.  We will give you everything else you need.  

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Our fosters fall into several categories but often they can get blurred so please think about what would best suit you and your set up.  We are always happy to discuss  your individual circumstances further. 

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• Weekend / short term - we don't often need this type of fostering but at times, we require a dog to stay with someone for a night or two when they first come into our care or if their new family can't have the dog straight away. 

• Emergency - we offer emergency fostering for those who suddenly find themselves unable to care for their dog (or other animal).  This is often due to an unexpected hospital visit but can be for any reason.  Depending on the circumstance, this could range from short to long term.

• Medium Term - This is where most of our fosters fall into.  While a dog is looking for their new home, we try to use foster homes rather than kennels so the dog can be assessed and live in a home environment.  This tends to be for anywhere from 1 week to 4 months.  Our average is around 4 weeks.  

• Long Term / Permanent  -  Anything over 4 months falls into this category - sometimes we get a dog where the right home just doesn't get found or alternatively we have taken on a dog who will remain under JRD care - for example due to ill health or age.  

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Any dog coming into your home, has certain needs and will take time to settle.  A foster is no different.  Please ensure you think about the following before applying to be a foster home with us:  

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• Having a dog requires time and patience.

• Would your lifestyle and routine suit a dog - a dog should not be left for more than 4 hours at a time;

• If you do leave the house for longer than 4 hours at a time, are you able to cover the cost of a dog walker? 

• Different breeds/ages of dog will require different exercise. 

• Your home - are all family members happy to foster and care for a dog? Is there a quiet area for the dog to relax? How will existing pets cope?

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Fostering Process

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1) Fill out our online application form providing us with as much detail as possible (where it asks for a dog's name please enter FOSTER). 

 

2) We will process your application and contact you to let you know whether we will be taking your application further (please contact us if you have not heard back within 7 days);

 

3) Subject to a successful application form, we will arrange a home check with you to meet you, discuss how we work in more detail and answer any queries you may have but to also see the environment the dog will live in;

 

4) Subject to a successful home check, we will then add you to our fostering list;

 

5) When a potential foster dog comes in which matches your circumstances we will contact you.  You can then say if you wish to foster the dog or not.  

 

6) The charity will always be there to support you and the dog while they are in your care.  We will also need to arrange suitable times to take the dog to meet prospective forever homes.  We will work around you as much as possible and limit this as much as possible.

 

 

A key part of fostering is saying goodbye when a forever home is found.  This is always hard - we won't lie to you but the knowledge that you have helped a dog along their journey to find a home is worth it.  Without you , we cannot rescue and save them.  

 

 

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