XP: Dog foster SO peeps, come in!

dmarie979

My BF and I decided to foster a pit vs adopt another one. Any questions that I should ask regarding the organization? I know they pay for the food/vet bills but that is about all I know. What else should I ask?

kippersophie

hmm, how often will you be expected to take him to adoption events? How will you get in touch with interested potential families - do you interview them or do they contact the rescue organization and will they check them out?  

kellbell1919

I make sure that all dogs have been behaviorally evaluated by an organization or person I trust before I'll commit.  I'd make sure they do BE's, ask who does them, what their credentials are.  I would want to know what happens if the dog has some kind of issue at my house, would they be willing to transfer the dog to another foster home?  What kind of medical expenses do they cover and any limitations?  Any restrictions on veterinarians?  (some rescues only use specific vets and I don't always like their vets!)  Do they pay for flea and tick preventative?  How do they screen their adopters?  I would want to see their adoption contract.  What is the adoption process like?  Do they require home visits, vet checks?  Do the foster homes have any say in where their fosters are placed?  Are you allowed to adopt the dog if you fall in love?  (some organizations don't let fosters adopt).

I usually go by gut feeling.  As long as they have the money to pay for vetting, the dog has had a BE, and I get final say on the adopter then I'll take the dog.

ETA:  also ask if they have any special rules.  For example, several of the organizations I've fostered for don't want you taking pits to the dog park because its hard to monitor interactions and if something happens its basically a death sentence for the dog.

River Pestie

I MUST see pics if you decide to do it!!

dmarie979

kellbell1919:

I make sure that all dogs have been behaviorally evaluated by an organization or person I trust before I'll commit.  I'd make sure they do BE's, ask who does them, what their credentials are.  I would want to know what happens if the dog has some kind of issue at my house, would they be willing to transfer the dog to another foster home?  What kind of medical expenses do they cover and any limitations?  Any restrictions on veterinarians?  (some rescues only use specific vets and I don't always like their vets!)  Do they pay for flea and tick preventative?  How do they screen their adopters?  I would want to see their adoption contract.  What is the adoption process like?  Do they require home visits, vet checks?  Do the foster homes have any say in where their fosters are placed?  Are you allowed to adopt the dog if you fall in love?  (some organizations don't let fosters adopt).

I usually go by gut feeling.  As long as they have the money to pay for vetting, the dog has had a BE, and I get final say on the adopter then I'll take the dog.

ETA:  also ask if they have any special rules.  For example, several of the organizations I've fostered for don't want you taking pits to the dog park because its hard to monitor interactions and if something happens its basically a death sentence for the dog.

Awesome questions to ask. Thanks Kellbell. The only "issue" is that they are located in the next city over from me (about 1.5 hours) but they are looking for fosters anywhere "close" to them. So they could throw out names of people who do evals for them and I wouldn't know them from adam.

I will def ask these questions and go by gut feeling. Thanks!

kellbell1919

dmarie979:

kellbell1919:

I make sure that all dogs have been behaviorally evaluated by an organization or person I trust before I'll commit.  I'd make sure they do BE's, ask who does them, what their credentials are.  I would want to know what happens if the dog has some kind of issue at my house, would they be willing to transfer the dog to another foster home?  What kind of medical expenses do they cover and any limitations?  Any restrictions on veterinarians?  (some rescues only use specific vets and I don't always like their vets!)  Do they pay for flea and tick preventative?  How do they screen their adopters?  I would want to see their adoption contract.  What is the adoption process like?  Do they require home visits, vet checks?  Do the foster homes have any say in where their fosters are placed?  Are you allowed to adopt the dog if you fall in love?  (some organizations don't let fosters adopt).

I usually go by gut feeling.  As long as they have the money to pay for vetting, the dog has had a BE, and I get final say on the adopter then I'll take the dog.

ETA:  also ask if they have any special rules.  For example, several of the organizations I've fostered for don't want you taking pits to the dog park because its hard to monitor interactions and if something happens its basically a death sentence for the dog.

Awesome questions to ask. Thanks Kellbell. The only "issue" is that they are located in the next city over from me (about 1.5 hours) but they are looking for fosters anywhere "close" to them. So they could throw out names of people who do evals for them and I wouldn't know them from adam.

I will def ask these questions and go by gut feeling. Thanks!

They may be able to give you a name and credentials or a shelter who did it.  Usually if any of the shelters around here did it, that's fine by me because I know they have a specific protocol.  We also have a local behaviorist who does them.  I've taken fosters from Pets regulars and I trust their judgment as well.  But a BE from someone in rescue should be fine, I just don't trust a surrendering owner who says oh yeah!  its a nice dog!