Petfinder.com forums :: View topic - Holiday Foster Programs 12/5

Have you ever wanted to help a homeless pet, but are not quite ready to adopt? Well, join us this week 12/5 - 12/11 and learn about all about holiday foster programs with One Tail at a Time Co-Founder Andrea Juracek!

A little about One Tail at A Time:

One Tail at a Time is an all volunteer, 501(c)(3), no-kill animal rescue based in the Chicagoland area. Working with a growing community of dedicated volunteers and foster homes, as well as boarding and daycare facilities, we are able to rescue animals from potential euthanasia and help lower overpopulation in area shelters. We focus on finding permanent homes for our dogs by working to match the lifestyles of potential adopters with each dog's personality and needs. This, combined with our commitment to providing new adopters with education and support for the life of their dog, ensures that more dogs stay in their new homes permanently, reducing the number of pets that are returned to the rescue or shelters each year. Find out more at http://www.onetail.org/

So join us and find out how foster programs works, what to expect and why foster a pet for the holidays! Be sure to visit Foster a Lonely Pet Program here: www.petfinder.com/fosteralonelypet

Welcome Andrea!!

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 1:38 pm Post subject:

Fostering a dog for the holidays sounds like such nice idea. I already have a little dog of my own (we love him so much!) do you let people who have dogs do this too? If yes, is there anything I should do to prepare my dog?

Andrea's Answer:

A good portion of One Tail at a Time's fosters have dogs of their own. But whether a family is experienced or not, we always do an introduction between the One Tail dog and any pets already in the home just to be sure it's a harmonious fit.

If your dog is social and used to other dogs coming by, then there's really not a whole lot to do to prepare them. On the other hand, some dogs do great with others out on walks but once in the home they can be less willing to share their space and people. If you're not sure how your dog will react, you can try a simple introduction with another dog. You may even want to have a trainer come by to help facilitate the meeting.

Have someone you trust bring their pup by to see how the two interact. Start the introduction outside the house on more "neutral" territory, like a nearby park. If all goes well, walk the two dogs into the house together on-leash. Once inside, if it seems safe (there's no growling, cautious stares, or your dog's not giving other signs of being unsure), drop the leashes and allow the dogs to explore the home together. You want your dog to be comfortable and willing to share her space (and you!) with other pets.

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 4:28 pm Post subject:

sorry if this is a silly question but what’s the difference between fostering & adopting? when a pet is fostered for a holiday what’s that mean?

Andrea's Answer:

Fostering is temporarily caring for an adoptable dog until they find their permanent home. Adoption is committing to caring for a dog as a part of your family for the rest of their life. Both require commitment, patience, love, and of course that you to give the same care you would your own family.

Some rescues, like One Tail at a Time, provide all supplies to fosters, such as food, toys, crate, any necessary medications, etc. One Tail also provides free training, medical care, and assistance fosters might need transporting a dog to or from an event or the vet. Adopters also get many benefits such as discounts on pet care, boarding, and daycare services, dog training, and others to ensure a happy, healthy dog for their entire life.

Petfinder's Foster a Lonely Pet for the Holidays promotion is a great way for rescues and shelters to get the word out on our dogs in need of foster during the holidays, when many families aren't necessarily willing to foster. Everyone deserves a home during the holidays, and throughout the year!

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 5:31 pm Post subject:

Hello... are there any requirements for becoming a foster home? or is that something that differs by rescue? Does the foster family get to pick which pet they care for?

Andrea's Answer

Requirements for fostering do generally depend on how the rescue/shelter operates. Through One Tail at a Time, anyone can foster so long as you've got a home and love to give. We have foster families that range from college-aged roommates living in a small apartment to established families in their own home.

As with most other rescues, One Tail has a foster home application to fill out. Some organizations require fosters to attend a training. Many smaller organizations do not, but we are currently working together with other Chicago organizations to create joint foster home trainings. It'll be a great way for fosters to learn more about transitioning a dog into their home, how to deal with bad manners like jumping, counter surfing, and other information that will better equip fosters to work with dogs coming straight from the shelter.

Because rescues have to balance saving lives with a number of other factors, many do not allow fosters to choose which dog they will take. But there is some choice involved! With One Tail, our Intake/Foster Coordinator, Anna, emails a list of dogs in need of foster that details what we know about the dog's personality and needs. Fosters can then decide which dog would be a good fit for them

Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 4:34 am Post subject:

How long do you foster the dog for...... is it just for the holiday or until the dog finds a home?

Andrea's Answer:

This time of year, temporary fosters are just as helpful as homes who foster until a dog gets adopted. You can help care for a dog while their foster is out of town for the holidays. Or, if you're able to foster longer term, a dog at risk of being euthanized can be pulled from the shelter. Either way you're making a difference!

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