Foster.
Fostering 101
Fostering a dog is one of the most important and impactful jobs in rescue. Without a physical shelter, we rely on our amazing network of volunteer foster families to save dogs in need!
Fetch + Releash provides everything you need - food, bed, toys, leash, collar, crate, vet care etc. You just provide the love and a safe place to crash.
Foster Application
Fostering is one of the most rewarding jobs in rescue. You have the power to transform A dog’s life by providing adequate exercise, mental stimulation, nutritious food, stability and love – possibly for the first time.
Some people say they could never foster because it would be too hard to say goodbye. We get it, goodbye’s are never easy! It’s important to remember though that goodbye’s are really happy endings. And when one chapter comes to an end, there is another equally deserving soul waiting for a home like yours to open up. As someone once said “You cannot change a dog’s past, but you can rewrite their future!”
FAQs
+ Why are foster homes so important?
In a shelter environment, dogs may become withdrawn, depressed or stressed and many are overlooked by potential families because of this. Foster homes offer time to decompress and an opportunity for the dog’s true personality to shine.
Fostering is one of the most rewarding jobs in rescue! You have the power to transform a dog’s life by providing adequate exercise, mental stimulation, nutritious food, stability and love – possibly for the first time.
Some people say they could never foster because it would be too hard to say goodbye. We get it - goodbye’s are never easy! It’s important to remember though that goodbye’s are really happy endings. When one chapter comes to an end, there is another equally deserving soul waiting for a home like yours to open up. As someone once said “You cannot change a dog’s past, but you can rewrite their future!”
+ So, what's in it for me?
- Knowing you gave your foster dog the gift of life and made someone else's family complete.
- The benefits of pet companionship without the lifetime commitment and financial responsibility of ownership.
- A trial run at caring for a dog before deciding if full time dog ownership is for you!
- An opportunity to raise awareness of the rescue movement within your social circle.
- The support of our amazing Fetch + Releash team throughout your entire foster experience.
+ Where are you located?
The majority of our fosters are located in Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Brampton and surrounding areas. If you live outside of the GTA and want to foster a dog, you should be prepared to travel to vet appointments, adoption events and/or meet and greets within the GTA. Fosters must reside within a 2 hour radius of Toronto.
+ What are my responsibilities as a foster parent?
- Provide a clean, safe and nurturing environment until your foster dog has been adopted into their forever family.
- Provide regular exercise, socialization, and enrichment opportunities.
- To have patience and understanding while your foster dog adjusts to a new home.
- Take your foster dog to vet appointments if/when required.
- Work with our photography team to secure quality photos of your dog which may include travelling to the photoshoot location.
- Work with the adoption team to provide a detailed bio for your foster dog, facilitate meet and greets with approved families and attend adoption events.
- When your foster dog has gone off to their new home, return all supplies to our Streetsville (Mississauga) based storage facility.
Fosters will be expected to facilitate transportation to and from vet appointments, adoption events and to return their dog’s supplies once adopted. If you do not drive, we encourage you to enlist the support of friends or family. Fetch + Releash will arrange transport in true emergency situations.
+ What does Fetch + Releash provide?
We cover all expenses related to the care of the dog. This includes their vetting, collar, harness, ID tag, leashes, food, bed, toys, crate, jacket, booties, etc. At the end of your foster journey, you will be expected to clean and return these supplies to us. Fosters will be responsible for replacing lost or missing items.
We also provide emotional support! At the start of your foster journey you will be assigned a Foster Coordinator who will hold your hand throughout the entire process, providing advice, guidance or just a friendly ear.
+ What is the time commitment for fostering?
The average time a dog is in foster care is 4-6 weeks, but this can vary depending on the dog. Some dogs need a little more TLC before they are ready to go to their forever homes.
Do you have a vacation coming up? Need the day off to attend to personal errands? No problem. With a bit of notice, Fetch + Releash will make arrangements for your foster dog to go to an approved dog sitter.
+ I don't have a fenced yard - can I still foster a dog?
Absolutely! Our foster families come from a variety of different housing arrangements - country, suburbs, big city, house, apartment etc. Sure, some dogs do require a fenced yard, but in general we believe that if a dog receives adequate physical exercise and mental stimulation, it can thrive in any type of home.
+ What if I work?
Many work schedules can be accommodated however as a policy, we require fosters who are gone from the house for more than 8 hours to provide a mid-day break. Puppies may require even more frequent potty breaks - the general rule of thumb is that a dog can typically last one hour for every month of their age, up to 8 hours (ex: a 5 month old puppy shouldn’t go more than 5 hours without having to be let out).
We would encourage you to discuss your work schedule with your Foster Coordinator during the interview process.
+ Can I foster if I have children?
In most cases, yes. Caring for a pet is a great way to teach children responsibility and compassion for animals.
When reviewing applications, Fetch + Releash looks for families who understand that respect is a two-way street. Did you know that the majority of dog bites are preventable? Even the most easy-going dog can be pushed too far and should never be expected to tolerate rude or inappropriate behavior, even in little ones. It is the grown up’s responsibility to teach their child(ren) proper dog etiquette and to ensure adequate supervision at all times.
Before applying to foster a dog, we encourage you to sit down as a family to discuss how each member will contribute to a safe environment for both the dog and the child(ren). Use a white board or construction paper to document your safety rules and display them in a high traffic area, such as the kitchen.
For some great age appropriate videos and posters on kid and dog safety, please visit https://www.thefamilydog.com/stop-the-77/.
Application Tip! Come to your foster interview prepared to share what rules and boundaries you’ve set in place to ensure a safe space for the dog and your kids.
+ Can I foster if I have a dog, cat, bird, bunny, etc.?
Yes! We will take your current family pets into consideration before placing a dog with you. Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure adequate supervision between all pets. We recommend you do not leave your foster dog alone with resident animals, at least until you're certain everyone can co-exist peacefully. Consider crating your foster dog or leaving him/her in another secure room when you cannot supervise the interactions.
Speak to your Foster Coordinator for tips on how to introduce your new foster dog to your resident pets.
+ Can I foster if my pet is not spayed/neutered or up to date on vaccinations?
Generally, no, however we will discuss on a case-by-case basis. Our goal is to ensure the safety and wellness of our foster dogs, your resident pets and to prevent the spread of disease and unplanned puppies!
+ What if my foster dog gets sick?
As a foster parent you bear no financial responsibility for the cost of vetting UNLESS the vet visit is due to your negligence. If your foster dog requires medical attention, you must contact your Foster Coordinator immediately and they will book you an appointment at one of our approved partner vets.
Fetch + Releash reserves the right to decline reimbursement for veterinary costs incurred without our knowledge and consent, unless it is a true emergency.
+ Do you guarantee the health of the dog?
Although Fetch + Releash cannot guarantee a dog’s wellness, our policy is to disclose everything we know about the dog prior to placing him or her in your home.
All dogs will receive basic vet care while in foster care including up-to-date vaccinations and spay/neuter surgery if applicable. That being said, just like humans, dogs can get sick. Intestinal worms and kennel cough are the most common illnesses suffered by newly arrived dogs. Both are very treatable and do not pose long term health risks to the dogs or their humans.
+ Do you guarantee the temperament of the dog?
No. Although Fetch + Releash cannot guarantee a dog’s temperament, our policy is to disclose everything we know about the dog prior to placing him or her in your home.
That being said, the move to a new home can be a stressful experience for even a well-adjusted dog and you should expect that there will be an adjustment period.
Remember - some of our dogs may not have had exposure to what we deem a ‘normal’ environment. For some, living indoors is a brand new experience. Imagine what it would feel like to have to live with a new family in a foreign country that does not speak your language and whose customs you don’t yet understand. Pretty scary, right? So go slow, be patient and keep it positive!
+ What can I expect with the application process?
If you are interested in fostering a dog, start by filling out a foster application here. Although we do our best to reply to all inquiries within 72 hours, please remember we are a volunteer run organization and many of us have full-time jobs outside of the rescue. We appreciate your patience!
We'll review your foster application and if you meet the requirements, a Fetch + Releash volunteer will contact you to set up a time to speak over the phone. The phone call usually takes about 60 minutes. Please note that all members of the household must be present during this time including roommates, child care workers or tenants.
As part of the interview process, we also conduct personal, veterinarian, and landlord reference checks (if applicable), as well as a home visit.
Once approved, you will undergo an onboarding session with your assigned Foster Coordinator who will review our policies and procedures and have you sign some standard paperwork. From there, you will await your first assignment!
Ready to apply? Click here!
+ I sent in my application, but haven't heard back. What gives?
Good question! Although we do our best to reply to every application within 72 hours, please remember that we are a volunteer run organization and many of us have full-time jobs outside of the rescue. We appreciate your patience! If it's been over 72 hours, you can follow up with our team at foster@fetchandreleash.ca.