We started fostering dogs in July of 2019. To date we have fostered eight rescue dogs (check this page for an up-to-date list of our foster dogs). It has been an incredibly rewarding experience and I wanted to share some things I learned for anyone considering becoming a foster. So here are some answers to questions I often get from people:
Don’t you get sad when you have to let the dog go?
The first one is always the hardest. We struggled a lot giving up our first foster, Kermit. We came really close to “foster failing” (which means adopting your foster). But I knew if we kept him I wouldn’t be able to foster dogs anymore (three dogs is my limit).
After that it got easier. There is always a bit of a pang when you drop them off at their new home but it is also great seeing how happy the new owners are and how happy you know the dog will be.
There will be dogs you get a little more attached to than others and those will be a bit harder. I still miss a couple of my foster dogs but I know they are in good homes. I cried when we let our first foster go, but I haven’t cried since. It gets easier.
Won’t the dog feel even more abandoned after bonding with you?
No. Never take a dog’s love personally. I know that’s hard to hear but it’s true. Dogs are resilient and most attach to new people easily. All of my foster dogs bonded to me very quickly – and I know it’s not because I am some sort of dog whisperer. This makes me feel confident that they will bond just as quickly with their new owner.
Do you keep up with the people who adopted your foster dogs?
No. Many fosters do, but I don’t. For me, I think it’s better to have a clean break. I also don’t want to know if something bad has happened, or when they die. I know that’s very head-in-the-sand of me but it won’t do anyone any good for me to know the dog died or was lost. I’d rather imagine them all happy and living forever.
Aren’t the dogs all messed up?
No. I think there is a misconception that all rescue dogs have some sort of issue or problem. Honestly, majority of them don’t have any more issues than any non-rescue dog. Some of them can be a little shy or scared, but they warm up eventually. I know there are some dogs that suffered extreme abuse and need extra care and training – but none of the dogs I’ve fostered had any major emotional problems.
Won’t they pee all over your house and destroy it?
No. Sure, a couple of the dogs had a couple accidents inside the house, but most of my fosters have been house broken or learned the ropes fairly quickly. I haven’t had any furniture or rugs or anything ruined by a foster dog.
How long do you usually have a dog?
All of my dogs were adopted within three weeks – a couple after only one week. In Seattle people LOVE dogs and there doesn’t seem to be a shortage of people who want to adopt.
What kinds of health issues have you dealt with?
A few of my dogs came to me with kennel cough – a common cold for dogs, basically. There’s nothing to be done but wait for it to pass on its own. Giving them small doses of cough syrup can help alleviate the discomfort, but they don’t tend to like it.
A few of them have also come to me with tapeworm. It’s pretty gross – okay super gross – but not really that big of deal. It comes out in the poop, you see it, you give the dog some medicine and boom no more tapeworm. Really not hard.
The dogs are all treated for fleas before they get to you, only one time did I get a dog with fleas and that was because the organization went through a different transporter one time and they didn’t follow their system closely enough. Again, fleas suck but not a big deal. I gave him a flea bath and combed out the fleas and he was fine. My own dogs are on a monthly flea preventative so if the fleas did transfer to my dogs they wouldn’t last long.
A few of my fosters have been very underweight – just skin and bones. This is always sad but I just make sure they are getting a healthy diet and try to help them gain weight as quickly as I can.
One of my fosters (so far) was blind. I had to be careful walking him to make sure he didn’t run into things or fall off curbs but other than it wasn’t really an issue. He was great at following my voice and learned the layout of my house really quickly.
What’s the dog’s story?
- Some have unknown backgrounds, they were usually picked up as strays.
- The owner died.
- The owner surrendered the dog because they could no longer (or did not want to) care for it any longer.
- Something really sad, like one was found wrapped in a garbage bag locked in a crate in a field (he was one of my favorite dogs – incredibly sweet and happy despite how he was treated).
- Came from a hoarding situation (this happens way more frequently than you would think).
- Saved from dog fighting (I have not fostered one of these).
- And more – there are lots of backstories out there, these are just a few I’m aware of.
What if you lose the dog?
Don’t lose the dog. I know it has happened to other fosters, some dogs are escape artists. If you are very careful you shouldn’t have to deal with this.
What’s it like when you first get a new foster dog?
After picking up my foster dog I bring him/her home and immediately give them a bath. Then I dry them off and put them in their crate with some food and water and leave them alone. We are supposed to adhere to a three day decompression time for the dogs – which means limited interaction. Just taking them out for walks then back in the crate. The point is to give the dog time to relax in the new space before overwhelming them with attention.
Since I have dogs I also do a walk outside with all three to have them meet each other. This is done on neutral territory so my dogs don’t feel like a new dog is invading their turf. My dogs generally are good with dogs in our house so it’s not really an issue but better safe than sorry.
Have other questions about fostering dogs? Leave them in a comment below and I’ll sure to answer them!
*Note: My experience fostering has been through one organization – Dog Gone Seattle. The experience fostering through other organizations may be different.
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