Foster a Dog...Save a Life!

If you're curious about what it takes to be a foster parent to an abandoned or stray dog, take a minute to read our frequently asked questions. Please click here to watch a short video on fostering and our organization.

What is a foster home?

Foster parents provide temporary homes for dogs prior to adoption. Providing foster care is a wonderful and personal way to contribute to saving homeless pets. Haven to Home is seeking foster homes for dogs only.

Why is Haven to Home looking for foster homes for dogs?

Our number one reason is because Foster Homes are "The Haven" in Haven to Home Rescue!

Haven to Home does not have a physical shelter, and fostering is usually preferable for many reasons:

  • Some animals do not do well in a shelter environment because they are frightened or need a little extra care
  • Keeping them socialized with people and other animals
  • Work on any behavior issues
  • Assessment and evaluation of a dog's personality and individual needs
  • Newborn animals that need to be nursed or bottle fed usually need foster care
  • Some animals need time to recover from illness, injury, or trauma before adoption

Whatever the reason, these dogs need some extra love and care while they are waiting for their forever homes. Providing foster care for a few days, weeks, or months can be a lifesaving gift for an animal.

What skills are needed?

Some knowledge about companion animal behavior and health is helpful, but Haven to Home Rescue will provide foster parents with the necessary training to be comfortable in your new role. Some of the dogs most in need of foster care may be those that require a little extra help or some training. Dogs often benefit from basic obedience training, so if you familiarize yourself with some basic training techniques or attend training classes, you can be very helpful in preparing your foster dog for a new home. Just by getting to know your foster dog, you will help the rescue learn more about his/her personality prior to adoption.

Would I be a good foster parent?

If you want to do something to help dogs, fostering can be a flexible, fun and rewarding volunteer job. Here's why:

  • It's more flexible than volunteer jobs that require you to show up at a specific time for a certain number of hours
  • It's a great way to enjoy a pet if you are not in a position to make a lifetime commitment right now
  • Would you like to add a dog to your household, but you're not sure? Fostering can be a great way to find out

Taking animals into your home, loving them, and then letting them go requires a special person. Your role as a foster parent is to prepare the animal for adoption into a loving home.

How much time will it take?

The specific needs of the dog will determine home much time is involved. An orphaned puppy must be fed every few hours. A frightened animal who needs socialization or training will also require some extra time. You can discuss your situation and preferences with Haven to Home to determine what kind of dog you will be best suited to foster.

What if I have children?

Depending on the age of your children, they may find fostering a dog just as rewarding as you will. In fact, with your guidance and supervision older children could assume some responsibility for the dog's care and training. In most cases, dogs and children alike will benefit from caring for a dog and this will be a wonderful family experience.

What about my own pets?

You will, of course, want to consider how the animals in your household will adjust to having a foster pet. Most animals do very well with a temporary friend; fostering will help socialize the foster animal as well as your own. It's important that your animals be up to date on their vaccinations and must be spayed or neutered.

Will I have to find a home for my foster dog?

No, Haven to Home will place the dog on our website and contact lists to find the right permanent home. Applications will be handled through our Rescue . However, we certainly welcome any help you can provide us for placement.

What about food and medical care?

Haven to Home will take care of all medical expenses and provide food if necessary.

What about when it's time to say good bye?

Giving up an animal you've fostered, even to a wonderful new home, can be difficult emotionally. However, you have to keep in mind that you have given the greatest gift of all to your foster dog - the gift of LIFE! A lot of foster families stay in touch through updates and photos sent by the new family. Knowing you were part of saving a life and helping the animal find a loving home is tremendously rewarding.

What happens if my family grows attached to the dog and would like to adopt?

Sometimes a foster home turns into a permanent home. That's why rescues always need new foster homes! Foster homes, of course, will always be given priority for adoptions.

But is it fair to the animal?

Some people are reluctant to foster animals because they are concerned that it is unfair to take in a dog, establish a bond, and then allow the animal to be adopted to another home. Isn't that a second abandonment? Not at all! Being in a foster home can be a lifesaving bridge for a stray or frightened pet. It gives the animal a chance to get used to life in a house, and an opportunity to learn that people can be kind, food is available, and there is a warm, secure place to sleep. Foster care can help prepare a dog for a new life in a permanent home. There's no shortage of animals who need this preparation time before finding their forever home.

How do I give fostering a try?

Contact Haven to Home at haventohome@gmail.com  or 570-884-5067. A home visit and interview will be arranged. If approved, you will need to sign some paperwork. To fill out an application please go to Forms/Applications.