FOSTER HOMES NEEDED!

We are looking for qualified foster homes in the Midwest.  In order to become a foster home you must be able to provide a loving and caring environment. You will need to complete an application, provide references and complete a home visit.  Note: You will be asked to read and comply with our Foster Agreement as part of the foster approval process.

THE JOYS AND SORROWS OF FOSTERING

Written by one of our volunteers

I have been fostering for 2 years now, and I can assure you that there are many more joys than sorrows when it comes to fostering. The biggest question/concern I get when talking with people about fostering is: "How can you let the dogs go when adoption time comes?" This is definitely a bittersweet experience, but the way I see it is this: By adopting, I can save one dog, by fostering, I can save many.

I am currently on my 14th foster, counting the one I adopted personally. That means I have saved 15 dogs' lives. With every completed adoption, I know that another shelter/stray/unloved dog will soon be coming to fill the empty space in my home. There are always many shelter/stray/unloved dogs that need to be saved!

The hardest time I have fostering is typically the first week that a dog comes in. While it is always fun to get a new dog and discover his/her personality, the hard part is figuring out which of their house manners needs work first. Many of the dogs are strays or have lived their whole lives in the outdoors, therefore it is necessary to housetrain them and show them what is appropriate. I find this to be the biggest struggle of fostering. I often depend on the training expertise of others in the group.

One of my first fosters thought that every piece of furniture was for marking. I had housetrained puppies before, but never a one-year-old male that was not neutered. I struggled for 2 weeks before asking for help. Once I was given tips, it took less than a week to housetrain him! I quickly learned that when the guidelines are carefully followed, most dogs are housetrained in no time.

One thing almost all fosters families agree on is that many of the foster dogs learn from the resident dog. It is always amazing to watch; the foster dog doesn't know what to do so he picks up cues from the resident dog(s). I am not a dog trainer, so have had to learn to rely on others for training tips and this makes the first week or two of getting a new dog much more fun. I can focus on getting to know the dog.

As the dog's personality starts to emerge, the best part of fostering (at least from my viewpoint) is to find the perfect home for him/her. As a foster parent you are given significant say in which forever home your foster dog will go to. If a home does not "feel right" for your dog, he/she does not have to go. Finding the perfect home, and knowing in your heart it is the perfect home is what makes it easier to let the dog go.

One of the other great things about fostering for Come Bye BC Rescue is that you are only asked to take dogs that will fit well into your home. For instance, I have a female that does not like other dogs in her space, and doesn't get along well with most other females. Therefore I typically only foster males, unless there is a submissive female that needs to come in. I am never made to feel that I must take a certain dog. You can also choose to foster one dog or two. If you need some time off, you will not be pressured to take a dog during your rest time. There are times when the foster dog just doesn't "fit" with the other pets in your home. No worries, you will not feel pressured into keeping him/her, we typically offer some training tips and if things are not working out, a new foster home will be found. Come Bye BC Rescue tries very hard to be supportive to the foster dogs as well as the foster homes.

Responsibilities of fostering are not many. It is the foster home's responsibility to provide food (at your expense), vet care (at Come Bye BC Rescue's expense), and a loving, indoor environment. It is expected that dogs will be treated as part of your family and taught that a home is a wonderful place to be. One of the best ways to help your dog find a forever home is to take lots of pictures, and update their web write-up often. Telling others how great your foster dog is helps him/her find the dog's forever home more quickly. I have had foster dogs for as little as 2 weeks and as long as 6 months. The time they are with you always varies, the most important thing is to be sure the right home is found.

Once a dog is placed in his/her forever home, the new family is required to send regular updates, and we also like the former foster home to be copied in. Learning how your foster is adapting to his new home, and the love and joy he/she is getting gives you such warmth in your hear that you can hardly wait for your next foster dog!

Is fostering for you?