The decision to become a dog foster parent is exciting! Fosters provide critical training, socialization, and support to their foster dogs, and moving the dog out of the shelter opens up space for another homeless pup to occupy. Prepare your home and your heart for your furry foster with these tips.

Although it may seem a bit basic, the obvious first step is to ensure you’re legally allowed to have pets in your living situation. If you are renting a house or apartment, check with your landlord. Many places have pet fees in place, and some only allow animals of a particular breed or below a specific weight. Certain homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies may have stipulations regarding animals in the home.

Next, once you’ve found an organization you like, let them know about your lifestyle so that they can match you with an appropriate dog. After all, if you’re very busy or are a homebody who enjoys snuggling up on a couch, you might not be able to give a high-energy dog the exercise they need to be healthy. Alternatively, if you love going for runs, you don’t want to be paired with a senior pup who can’t handle your activity. The more information you give to your organization, the better they will pair dog foster parents with the right dog.

Preparing to Be Dog Foster Parents

It’s easy to go a little overboard with buying supplies when you’re excited about your new foster dog. However, most fostering organizations will provide the majority of items and accessories needed to care for the dog. Before picking up your foster pup, ask for a detailed list of everything the foster provides so that you know what to buy. Ultimately, you need:

  • Bowls for food and water
  • Nutritious food (It’s best to stick with the same brand and type of food the dog has been receiving in the shelter. However, if you want to change them to a different type of food, be sure to do it slowly. Mix in a little bit of the new food with their old food each day, gradually increasing the amount of the new brand and decreasing the old one. This gives their stomachs time to adjust to the change and prevents GI upset.)
  • Heartworm and flea medications, along with anything else the dog needs treatment for.
  • Collar with a tag
  • Harness and leash
  • An appropriately-sized crate
  • Vet records confirming their spay/neuter status, rabies, and other vaccines

In terms of toys, wait until you’ve met your foster before buying any. Over the first few days, pay attention to what your foster seems to like and dislike. If loud noises aren’t their thing, maybe stay away from squeaky toys. Do they enjoy chewing on things? A rubber Kong toy will probably suit them well. There are plenty of toys and treats on the market; you don’t want to waste your money on ones your foster will ignore or immediately destroy.

Get Your Foster Ready for Adoption
Dogs who are well-behaved and properly socialized are more likely to be adopted. To give your foster their best chance, work on basic training and socialization. Teach them to sit, lay down, and go to the bathroom outside. Help get them used to their crate, and teach them manners like not jumping or begging. For socialization, schedule playdates with a friend or fellow foster who has dogs, or bring them to a quiet outdoor cafe to experience a variety of new smells and sights. If you have a puppy, make sure you bring them to all their vet appointments to get all their vaccinations on schedule.

Dog foster parents play a critical role in the development of dogs who need homes. But what if you, like many others, experience a “dog foster fail”? Well, that just means you have a new family member, and they have a new home, which is no failure at all. Bring your new dog to Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training for obedience classes, boarding, or playcare. We’re here to help with your latest addition.