Thank you for considering becoming a LEARN volunteer! Most desperately needed are foster homes for rescued dogs. Foster homes are the backbone of our organization. The more foster homes in our network, the more dogs we can save. If you have made the decision to join us as a foster home volunteer, please complete and submit our Volunteer Application.
The Cold Hard Fact About Fostering a Dog
- It’s not always an easy job.
- It can be exhausting.
- It’s often-times challenging.
- It costs money.
- It can be hard to let go.
- BUT, it can be very rewarding and fulfilling for both your foster dog and you!
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions potential foster homes may have. Simply click the link to the question below that you want to know the answer to and the answer will open for you to read. To close it, click the same link again.
How long with the foster lab be in my home?
A Lab is usually in foster care for a minimum of 2 weeks. Depending on the dog, they could be in foster considerably longer. Foster homes need to be committed to fostering their dog until he/she is adopted. The less a dog has to move around from foster home to foster home, the easier it is for the Lab. (With advance notice, we can make arrangements to accommodate vacations.)
What am I financially responsible for?
Foster homes are responsible for providing a loving home, premium food, fresh water, healthy treats, and safe toys for the foster Lab. L.E.A.R.N. will cover all medical expenses.
You are also responsible for anything your foster Lab may chew or destroy (i.e. a couch, your clothes, etc.), which is the reason we recommend keeping a close eye on and crating your foster dog until you know more about their behavior.
What are my other responsibilities?
The foster home is responsible for completing any veterinary visits. This can include getting the Lab up-to-date on vaccinations, heartworm testing, spay/neuter surgery and other veterinary needs. Some Vet clinics are set-up to bill LEARN directly. Otherwise, the foster home needs to pay and then submit veterinary expense receipts for reimbursement.
The number one goal for the foster home is to prepare the Lab for adoption. Aside from veterinary care, this may include obedience training, housebreaking, crate-training, socialization, general nutrition, and anything else the Lab needs.
What do you know about the Lab that I am fostering?
Most of our Labs come from shelters or are surrendered directly from their owners. We only have the information that is provided. Not all owners tell the truth about the pet they are surrendering. In addition, everyone has a different perspective of acceptable behavior.
We try to have a L.E.A.R.N. volunteer conduct a behavior assessment of the Labs that we take in, but in some cases we have to rely on the shelter or owner's representation.
Is it my responsibility to find my foster Lab a home?
No, we work as a team. As a foster home, you will certainly have input in the Lab-Adopter matching process. It is helpful to have your foster available for FUNdraisers and public relations events. In addition, you can help get the word out on your foster Lab. Just walks in the neighborhood can help spread the word about your foster dog and LEARN.
What risks are involved in fostering?
There are risks any time you bring a strange dog into a household. LEARN has a hand-out on introducing a new dog to other pets in the home. You should also exercise care until you are more familiar with your foster dog. We recommend crating the foster Lab when you are away, sleeping or not monitoring him/her until you are certain of his/her behavior.
There is also the risk of becoming attached to your foster dog. His/her adoption can be bittersweet, but only until you remember that you just saved his/her life, and now he/she has a loving, forever family. :-)
