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DeniseMarie
<3
Member since 8/07 10682 total posts
Name:
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Thoughts on Fostering
The rescues always need foster homes and I get questions sometimes about fostering. Recently one question got me thinking - Should I be a foster parent if I have small children or other pets? Some people worry about the impact of dogs coming and going would have on the other household family members as far as getting attached, etc.
Thoughts?
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Posted 8/16/13 11:20 AM  |
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dctead
It's 5 o'clock somewhere!
Member since 11/10 2139 total posts
Name:
Emily
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Re: Thoughts on Fostering
I wish I could foster... and if I had a house, I'd seriously consider it...but for me, I'm in a condo with 2 dogs and 2 cats and a DH - so its a space issue for me right now.
But I also think... Could I foster? Could I 'give back' the animal? I fall in love too quickly and I think I'd end up keeping any animal I would foster...
In regards to kids and other pets... while I don't have kids (but plenty of nephews and nieces).. if it is explained to them and they know its not a 'forever' pet, but a way to help a pet in need... I think that would be OK.
And other pets - are usually just as resilient as kids... its a new play friend for them..
Either way... I give a tremendous amount of credit to anyone who fosters (and adopts!  )... so I hope it works out for you!
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| Posted 8/21/13 9:43 AM |
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halfbaked
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 6937 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thoughts on Fostering
Posted by dctead
I wish I could foster... and if I had a house, I'd seriously consider it...but for me, I'm in a condo with 2 dogs and 2 cats and a DH - so its a space issue for me right now.
But I also think... Could I foster? Could I 'give back' the animal? I fall in love too quickly and I think I'd end up keeping any animal I would foster...
In regards to kids and other pets... while I don't have kids (but plenty of nephews and nieces).. if it is explained to them and they know its not a 'forever' pet, but a way to help a pet in need... I think that would be OK.
And other pets - are usually just as resilient as kids... its a new play friend for them..
Either way... I give a tremendous amount of credit to anyone who fosters (and adopts! )... so I hope it works out for you!
I could not possibly agree more. I don't think I'd be able to give up a pet, even if I went into it KNOWING that I'd be giving that pet up.
Years ago, my parents were fostering a senior pomeranian from Florida for a few weeks. For some reason, the dog just took to my sister. She could do anything with that dog and that's saying something since she was a finnicky old broad.  They found a home and drove the dog to her new place. My dad came home and my sister was obviously upset that the dog was gone. And my dad (who is a huge softy and ALSO grew attached) told my mom to call the people and see if it was too late to get her back. The new family understood (no kids, which made it easier) and my parents drove right out to pick her up. She lived until she was 20!
And since this is how my family handles "rescues", I KNOW I wouldn't be able to.
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| Posted 8/21/13 10:16 AM |
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wo0shply
LIF Adult
Member since 11/08 2702 total posts
Name:
Tass
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Thoughts on Fostering
we fostered our cat and dog and ended up adopting them. we're terrible foster parents :)
If you have the space and time to offer an animal a home i would do it. the animals do so much better in a home, they learn normal routines and are more adoptable.
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| Posted 8/21/13 12:08 PM |
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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: Thoughts on Fostering
What everyone is describing is called "foster failure"
My concern is for my family dogs. When you foster, you don't get to pick what you're getting and it could mean an aggressive or territorial animal. You have to know how to deal with that and the possible issues that might arise. Am I remembering incorrectly or do you have a dog that needs special training for aggression? I might be totally off and if I am, sorry about that.
I have one dominant dog and she would have issues with other dogs coming on her turf and sharing resources - toys, attention, food, love. I could probably figure out how to live with that but she'd need more training to make that situation work.
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| Posted 8/21/13 3:29 PM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Thoughts on Fostering
I have a family memeber that is fostering and she (and her DH) are puttin a ton of time and effort into the foster. It is a ton of work and I have to say I would not be able to do it. They are amazing foster parents but its not for everyone.
They already have a dog and multiple cats. The foster dog is not good with other animals so they have to keep them separate. THey are workign with a trainer with the foster dog but ultimately the foster is going to need a single pet home and no kids. That is a tough hoem to find and due to that they have had the foster much longer than originally thought.
You really need to be able to put the time and effort in and realize that the animal you foster may not be the best fit for your situation but are you willing to work through it during the foster period.
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| Posted 8/22/13 12:27 PM |
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DeniseMarie
<3
Member since 8/07 10682 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thoughts on Fostering
Posted by greenfreak
What everyone is describing is called "foster failure"
My concern is for my family dogs. When you foster, you don't get to pick what you're getting and it could mean an aggressive or territorial animal. You have to know how to deal with that and the possible issues that might arise. Am I remembering incorrectly or do you have a dog that needs special training for aggression? I might be totally off and if I am, sorry about that.
I have one dominant dog and she would have issues with other dogs coming on her turf and sharing resources - toys, attention, food, love. I could probably figure out how to live with that but she'd need more training to make that situation work.
I volunteer for the rescue , but I cannot foster. You do remember correctly - my dog has aggression issues. He is just not a social dog. But I do discuss fostering with people that I may talk to at our events, which got me thinking, which is why I started this thread. Before we place a dog in a foster home we do need to know everything we possibly can about the dog. Is it good with dogs? cats? Kids? etc so we can place the right foster dog in the right home. Issues may arise along the way and we can always remove the dog.
If , for arguments sake, I decided to foster a dog and by some miracle, it got along with Murray, I would definitely be a foster failure because I would have to keep that dog!! But for now - no fostering for us. Murray is old and crabby and can't be bothered.
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| Posted 8/25/13 12:44 PM |
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Traysee
LIF Adolescent
Member since 12/10 652 total posts
Name:
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Thoughts on Fostering
We are a foster failure over here :O) We fostered our dog in December and ended up officially adopting her a few months ago. We have a busy house, twin toddlers, parrots, cats and another dog. I think it is really up to you and what you want to do. If you are already overwhelmed then it's not the right time for you to take it on. If you have the time, then sure why not. If you get attached then keep it, if you discover it is too much to deal with give it back to the rescue. They key is to find the right dog to foster (you could also foster a cat instead :o) Once you get in with a good rescue group they might be able to do a trial foster. and if it doesn't work with a particular dog you could probably swap it out for a different one. There is a foster pet out there for every situation. The rescue group I deal with (SNARR) deals with mixed breeds, pitbulls, seniors, puppies, small dogs, handicapped dogs.
The key is to have the support of the RIGHT rescue group. So if it doesn't work out they take the dog back quickly. In the case of aggression they need to take it back somewhat immediately or it might mean you need to juggle the dog for 24-48 hours while they make arrangements for transport or to put the dog in boarding (if there isn't another immediate fosterer available). If you have a dog that is well behaved and crate trained already or a small adult dog it won't be as hard. You need to know what you are capable of. If you have dog knowledge or are a beginner. A professional rescue group with good resources will work with you. They, as much as you, don't want there to be any problems. You are not getting hired or paid to be a fosterer. You are part of a team with the goal of saving a dogs life. So you work together to find a good solution. If that means you house doesn't work out you don't need to keep fostering a dog if it's a bad match. They most important thing is to find an established rescue group with the resources to help you be successful. And one that stands by you if it isn't.
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| Posted 8/28/13 1:19 PM |
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N2709
LIF Infant
Member since 10/12 142 total posts
Name:
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Thoughts on Fostering
I would love to if I had the room. I know if and or when we do foster a pet, I will get attached and adopt
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| Posted 9/5/13 2:49 PM |
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lynnd126
LIF Adult
Member since 3/11 2630 total posts
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Thoughts on Fostering
Yeah, I fostered a dog eight years ago and she's still here, lol.
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| Posted 9/10/13 9:35 PM |
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JME78
LIF Adult
Member since 11/09 3672 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thoughts on Fostering
We live in Manhattan right now so we don't have the space for a foster.
We are planning to move to a house in the spring so we will definitely foster. I do anticipate one of our fosters becoming our second pup though! 
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| Posted 9/12/13 4:18 PM |
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jellybean78
:)
Member since 8/06 13103 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Thoughts on Fostering
I would do it in a heartbeat once my kids are older and we buy our house. I suspect that a lot of the fosters would never leave though
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| Posted 9/13/13 10:00 AM |
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2boys1girl
and one more girl on the way!
Member since 5/10 2954 total posts
Name:
D
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Thoughts on Fostering
I foster for LCAR, we have 3 kids and 2 of our own dogs.
I choose the dog I would like to foster by what little info I can get from the previous shelter...(good with other dogs, good with people/children) Iv'e never had a dog over 2 weeks...they ALWAYS get adopted! My children love seeing new dogs coming into our home and then knowing we found them their forever family. Also, as much as I can sometimes get attached I know that a 3rd pet is not for us so it's easier for us to let it go to it's new forever home.
Sometimes when I know I don't have the time that month I don't volunteer to take on a foster. If you have any questions please FM me!
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| Posted 9/13/13 1:58 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Thoughts on Fostering
I think it's wonderful but I don't think I could personally ever do it...I get attached way too fast.
I'd fall in love on day one and end up with 26 cats roaming my house!
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| Posted 9/16/13 11:00 AM |
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KiTTeN0819
LIF Infant
Member since 8/08 104 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thoughts on Fostering
I foster cats and dogs for a rescue and my 4 year old is used to it now. Everytime we get a foster pet i just explain that we are just watching or taking care of the pet for a little while but he/she is not ours to keep. Sometimes she gets attached but normally its fine when they leave.
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| Posted 9/19/13 7:02 PM |
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