Pets
sweetyjenj
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Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Fostering..
in Pets
Has anyone ever fostered a dog(s) before? DH and I were thinking of fostering instead of rescuing. We currently have two chihuahuas that we rescued a few years ago and we're looking to get a 3rd dog. I think it would be fun to foster since we could experience the new dog feel every time we got a new one, and then we can also gain experience with the different breeds. Not only that, but instead of saving one life, we'd be able to help several.
BUT...is there anything we should be aware of or have a "heads up" for before we commit to it? What has your experience been? If you know someone who's done it, what have they said about it? TIA!
Re: Fostering..
I'm fostering right now. I think the biggest thing is to know what you can and can't handle and find a rescue you feel comfortable working with. Different rescues have different policies and viewpoints and I have found that it is important to make sure they align with yours. Also it is good to find a rescue that won't pressure you to take on more than you are ready to deal with.
Well I stopped volunteering for a rescue because they weren't holding dogs for a minimum of even 1 week before adopting them out and they would adopt out litter mates to a single owner if they wanted more than one. These policies really bothered me- I got a puppy with parvo, someone else got two puppies with distemper.
I would look to see what the adoption contract looks like to see what questions they ask.Do they require a fenced yard, obedience classes etc. I'd try to find out if you have to take dogs to adoption events- how often and where? Do you have to pay for food? Do you get final say in the adopter? Are you allowed to adopt the dog you are fostering? Do you have to take dogs to a specific vet? Do they do pediatric spays/neuters? What will happen if you get a dog with behavior issues you don't feel equipped to handle?
We do it, I really like it, but its hard for DH to say goodbye to them. The only thing to keep in mind is that you don't always know what you're getting and may need to work on potty training, shyness, walking on a leash, etc. And then when they're perfect they get adopted : ) It's really nice to be the one who connects someone to their pet and to help a pet find their permanent home.
Because you all are considering adding a third you may want to look for a rescue or shelter that will allow you to adopt your foster, some don't allow this and you may want the option to foster fail.
Another thing that can vary is your financial commitment -- the shelter I used to foster for (still volunteer, just can't foster anymore) would pay for basic vet care (vaccinations, kennel cough meds, the spay/neuter surgery, the microchip), but beyond that (heart conditions, heartworms, broken limbs, etc.), you were on your own to raise the funds.
Some also vary in the amount of behavioral support they offer. Again, my shelter offers a periodic obedience class for shelter dogs, and they also have a volunteer-based behavior team which takes questions by email.