Foster a Dog

Foster parents are always needed! A foster parent takes a homeless dog into their home and treats the dog as part of the family until it is adopted. Many of our dogs have endured a lifetime of abuse or neglect, and the personal care they receive in foster homes is critical to their successful placement in a permanent home. An understanding of each dog’s personality and behavior is gained in foster homes, an advantage that shelter agencies can’t provide. There is no time limit in our foster care program. When asked, “How long do you keep your foster dogs?­­” we are proud to say, “They stay in our homes until we find the right home for them ­­ NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES.”

Below are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to fostering.

How do I become a foster?

First, fill out a fostering application. Then we will interview you in your home, explain our program, answer any questions and have you sign a care home agreement.

Who pays the expenses for the foster dogs?

APB will pay for all approved medical expenses, food, microchips, and sometimes, grooming. We have crates, bowls, leashes, collars and sometimes donated treats and toys available to you. Additional toys or items, as desired, are covered by foster parents.

Won’t I get too attached to a foster dog?

Haven’t you ever babysat a child or took care of a dog when the owners were on vacation?  Think of fostering as the same type of situation.  You are only temporarily taking care of the dog until their “real” home comes along.  And when they find a home, you have room to save another dog!

Where do the dogs come from?

We rescue dogs from shelters or animal control facilities that need help.  Dogs are also rescued from puppy mills and hoarding situations or may be strays that someone finds and can’t keep. Dogs are also sometimes surrendered to us by owners.

How long will I have a foster dog before it gets adopted?

We strive to find the perfect forever home for each of our dogs. Our dogs are not adopted on a first-come, first-served basis. It is difficult to predict how long this will take, and may be dependent on the dog’s age, size, and medical or training issues. We can adopt out a dog in as little as two weeks, but most take a few months and some we have for several years.

Do I need a fenced yard to foster?

Not necessarily.  It depends on the dog. All of our dogs should be on a tie out or lead and supervised at all times if you do not have a fenced yard.

Do I get to choose what dogs I foster?

Yes, you choose from the dogs we post on our listserv after first consulting with your designated board member. Sometimes you may be asked to take a dog from another foster when needed.

What if the foster dog just doesn’t work out?

We often don’t know what problems the dog may have, because they are coming from various situations. We will help you to address any issues either with help from other volunteers, or behaviorists that work with us. Sometimes a dog will have to be moved to another foster home, but this can take some time to arrange, so we ask for your patience.