Foster FAQ's
What is a foster home?
Foster parents provide temporary homes for animals prior to adoption. Providing foster care is a wonderful way to contribute to saving homeless pets. LoveyLoaves is looking for foster homes for "specially-abled" dogs.
Why do animals need foster care?
Foster care can help save an animal's life when a shelter is full. Some animals need time to recover from an illness or injury before adoption. Whatever the reason, these animals need some extra love and care before they can be adopted. Providing foster care for a few days, weeks, or months can be a lifesaving gift for a dog.
Would I be a good foster parent?
If you want to do something to help dogs, fostering can be a flexible, fun, and rewarding volunteer job.
The specific needs of the dog will determine how much time is involved based on each dogs circumstances and physical abilty. Most special needs dogs will require some extra time. You can discuss your availability with us to determine what kinds of dogs you'll be best suited to foster.
What skills are needed?
It is best to have some knowledge about dog behavior and health. Some of the dogs in foster care are those that require a little extra help and training. Dogs often benefit from a little obedience training, so if you familiarize yourself with some basic training techniqures, you can be a big help in preparing your foster dog for a new home.
What about my own pets?
You'll want to consider how the animals in your household will adjust to having a foster dog. Some animals do very well with a temporary friend and can help socialize the dog. Other pets have a harder time with new animals being added to or leaving the family. You're the best judge of your pet's personality. For the safety of your pets and the foster dog, it's important to keep your pets up-to-date on vaccinations. In many cases, the foster pet will need to be isolated from your own pets, either temporarily or throughout the foster period. We will work with you to determine the best dog for you in your situation.
Will I have to find a forever home for the dog myself?
LoveyLoaves will take responsibility for finding a new home, though you can help by telling friends, family, and co-workers about your foster dog. We will discuss how adoption will be handled.
What about when it's time to say good-bye?
Giving up a dog that you have fostered, even to a wonderful new home, can be difficult emotionally. Some people like to be there when the pet goes home with the new family. Knowing that you were part of saving a life and helping the dog find a loving home is tremendously rewarding.
Is fostering fair to the dog?
Some people are reluctant to foster because they are concerned that it is unfair to take in a dog, establish a bond, and then allow the animal to be adopted out into another home. Isn't that a second abandonment? Not at all. Being in a foster home can be a lifesaving bridge for a frightened dog. It gives the dog a chance to get used to life in a house, and an opportunity to learn that people can be kind, food is available, and there is a warm, secure place to sleep. Foster care helps prepare a dog for a new life in a permanent home. There's no shortage of animals who need this preparation time before finding their own people.
Can I adopt the dog I foster?
Possibly. Foster parents who wish to adopt the dog they foster must fill out an adoption application and go through the same process as adoption applicants.
I can't provide foster care, but are there other ways I can help?
Please refer to the How To Help page for ways that you can benefit the lil' Loveys of LoveyLoaves.
Foster parents provide temporary homes for animals prior to adoption. Providing foster care is a wonderful way to contribute to saving homeless pets. LoveyLoaves is looking for foster homes for "specially-abled" dogs.
Why do animals need foster care?
Foster care can help save an animal's life when a shelter is full. Some animals need time to recover from an illness or injury before adoption. Whatever the reason, these animals need some extra love and care before they can be adopted. Providing foster care for a few days, weeks, or months can be a lifesaving gift for a dog.
Would I be a good foster parent?
If you want to do something to help dogs, fostering can be a flexible, fun, and rewarding volunteer job.
- It's more flexible than volunteer jobs that require you to show up at a specific time for a certain number of hours.
- It's a great way to enjoy a pet if you are not in a position to make that lifetime commitment right now. Fostering can be an excellent option for college students or military families.
- Would you like to add a dog to your household, but you're not completely sure? Fostering can be a great way to find out.
The specific needs of the dog will determine how much time is involved based on each dogs circumstances and physical abilty. Most special needs dogs will require some extra time. You can discuss your availability with us to determine what kinds of dogs you'll be best suited to foster.
What skills are needed?
It is best to have some knowledge about dog behavior and health. Some of the dogs in foster care are those that require a little extra help and training. Dogs often benefit from a little obedience training, so if you familiarize yourself with some basic training techniqures, you can be a big help in preparing your foster dog for a new home.
What about my own pets?
You'll want to consider how the animals in your household will adjust to having a foster dog. Some animals do very well with a temporary friend and can help socialize the dog. Other pets have a harder time with new animals being added to or leaving the family. You're the best judge of your pet's personality. For the safety of your pets and the foster dog, it's important to keep your pets up-to-date on vaccinations. In many cases, the foster pet will need to be isolated from your own pets, either temporarily or throughout the foster period. We will work with you to determine the best dog for you in your situation.
Will I have to find a forever home for the dog myself?
LoveyLoaves will take responsibility for finding a new home, though you can help by telling friends, family, and co-workers about your foster dog. We will discuss how adoption will be handled.
What about when it's time to say good-bye?
Giving up a dog that you have fostered, even to a wonderful new home, can be difficult emotionally. Some people like to be there when the pet goes home with the new family. Knowing that you were part of saving a life and helping the dog find a loving home is tremendously rewarding.
Is fostering fair to the dog?
Some people are reluctant to foster because they are concerned that it is unfair to take in a dog, establish a bond, and then allow the animal to be adopted out into another home. Isn't that a second abandonment? Not at all. Being in a foster home can be a lifesaving bridge for a frightened dog. It gives the dog a chance to get used to life in a house, and an opportunity to learn that people can be kind, food is available, and there is a warm, secure place to sleep. Foster care helps prepare a dog for a new life in a permanent home. There's no shortage of animals who need this preparation time before finding their own people.
Can I adopt the dog I foster?
Possibly. Foster parents who wish to adopt the dog they foster must fill out an adoption application and go through the same process as adoption applicants.
I can't provide foster care, but are there other ways I can help?
Please refer to the How To Help page for ways that you can benefit the lil' Loveys of LoveyLoaves.
