PUPPIES: Bertha, Rachel, Paris and Tanya are lucky to have a foster

Before you bring a puppy home, please be prepared for everything that goes along with the responsibility - not only financially but emotionally. Housetraining, and the accidents that happen before training is complete; barking when you are trying to sleep; begging when you're trying to eat. All things our foster families go through while keeping an eye on these cutie pies before their forever homes are found.

BUT your new puppy will bring you lots of joy for years to come - that is something to look forward to every day.  Bertha (pictured), Rachel (pictured), Paris, or Tanya will be a close companion, a playmate and a reliable friend.

Paws 4 You Rescue has saved over a thousand dogs since it’s inception in 2007. A crucial role in ensuring that rescued dogs are adopted is being able to
place them in foster homes. Being in foster care allows those dogs who are under socialized, previously abused, scared, or simply too rambunctious for their own
good to learn critical skills needed for adoption. It is amazing to see the most scared or sick dog be healed simply by having a warm bed and individual attention
from a foster home. Healing an emotionally or physically injured animal doesn’t happen over night, but the difference between before and after are as distinct as
night and day.

So what exactly is a foster home? A foster home is any home that can serve as a temporary shelter for an animal that is up for adoption until that animal can be permanently placed. Foster homes often times have other pets, but some people who can’t commit to having their own pet long- term turn to fostering animals. Fostering is also a great way to find out more about a specific type of dog you’ve been considering adopting. A foster home is emotionally and financially responsible for daily care of their foster animal, including its meals, exercise, socialization, training, and grooming, while Paws 4 You continues to be responsible for any medical costs that animal might incur during it’s stay in foster care. Additionally, since foster parents often spend more time with an animal than the rescue organization, they are often called upon to report on the behavioral tendencies and personality of that foster animal when potential adopters have questions.

An ideal foster home candidate is anyone who is willing to take on the responsibilities of having a dog for a short period of time. This can range anywhere
from one to four weeks. Foster homes will have to be up to the challenge of caring for and teaching a dog as it acclimates to a new environment.  Patience is
critical on the human’s part as being a foster parent means being able to handle potential doggie disasters, like inappropriate chewing, housebreaking accidents, etc! The good news is that Paws 4 You has a dedicated volunteer staff that can provide you with the tools and resources needed to set you and your foster dog up for success! Paws 4 You Rescue also works to match its foster dogs with foster homes through the same process that dogs are matched for adoption, meaning we’ll only assign you a foster dog we know you can handle.

The biggest reason we hear about why more people aren’t willing to foster a dog is because of the deep emotional connection foster parents will make with their foster dogs. But, trust us – it’s better to have loved and lost, especially when losing your dog means that that dog has found it’s forever home and will never again have to feel pain, abandonment, fear, or emotional distress. A potential feeling of sadness is expected when you sign up to be a foster home but the feeling of knowing you were responsible for saving a dog’s life is well worth it! Plus, it does get easier with each and every new foster.

Interested foster home participants can complete the Foster Care Application below.   Once it is received, we will be in touch to set up a meeting to discuss in
detail the Foster Care Program and answer any questions you may have.  Any initial questions or concerns can be directed to foster@paws4you.org.

Don't like filling out forms online?  Download the form and fax it to us at 305.253.1263.
 

 

 Foster Applicant's Information

Full Name
Street Address		Address (cont.)
City		State
Zip Code
Work Phone		Home Phone
Cell Phone		E-mail
Birth Date
Employer (to use as reference)		Employer's Phone
Drivers Licence #:		Drivers Licence State:
Have you ever adopted from us before?	Yes    No	If yes, who and when?
Is he/she still with you?	Yes    No	If no, explain:
Type of animal interested in fostering (check all that apply):	Puppy Adult Senior Small Medium Large	How many animals can you foster at a time?
Have you ever volunteered for an animal rescue organization?	Yes    No	If yes, who and when?
Do you own or rent?	Own    Rent
Landlord's Name (if applicable)		Landlord's Telephone
How many adults are there living in the home where foster(s) will be?
How many children?		Children's Ages
Do you have a back yard?	Yes    No	If yes, is it fenced on all sides?	Yes    No
Will someone be home during the day with your foster(s)?	Yes    No	If yes, who?
Who will be the primary caregiver and have responsibility for your foster(s)?		How many hours a day will your foster(s) be without human companionship?
What sort of training are you willing to provide for your foster(s)? (crate training, housebreaking, basic commands, obedience, etc.)		How do you plan on exercising your foster(s)?
Where will your foster(s) be kept during the day?		Are you willing to take your foster(s) to veterinarian appointments?	Yes   No
Are you willing to give your foster(s) medications, baths, etc. if needed?		Are you willing to bring your fosters to any of our weekly adoption events (see Events Page for more details on where and when)?	Yes   No
Are you willing to have potential adopters (after being screened by the Rescue) come to your home at a mutually convenient, scheduled appointment time to meet your foster(s)?	Yes   No	Are you willing to keep your foster(s) until a permanent home is found (which could be weeks to months), or until a suitable space is available at another foster home?	Yes   No

Personal Pets
Do you currently have pets living in the home?
Yes    No
Sex/Type/Breed (i.e. F/Dog/Lab Mix)	Age of Pet	Spayed/Neutered	Current on vaccinations/ heartworm prevention?
		Yes    No	Yes    No
		Yes    No	Yes    No
		Yes    No	Yes    No
		Yes    No	Yes    No

References
Give three references (two non family members) and a veterinarian
Name	Telephone
Veterinarian's Name	Veterinarian's Phone
Comments

 * Paws 4 You Rescue, Inc. reserves the right to reject any applicant for our Foster Program.  Applicant, by submitting Application, gives permission for a representative of Paws 4 You Rescue to contact references and landlord (if applicable) provided on this form and make a home visit prior to acceptance into the Foster Program.  Applicant further acknowledges that all information contained in this application is true and correct and that any misrepresentation will result in immediate removal of any fostered animals and equipment if acceptance into the Foster Program is approved.