Fostering

Meet the fostered dogs

Even if you can’t provide a permanent home for a dog, you can still help out by offering a much-needed temporary foster home to a shelter dog. The foster program is always looking for new members.

Why should I take on a foster dog?

Providing a foster home to a dog helps:

• the shelter since there is only a limited amount of space, staff and resources to care for animals
• animals that have endured hardship and could really use a loving home where they can get used to living with people again while waiting to find a permanent home
• the pound maintain its pro-adoption policy
• provide great lesson in compassion, nurturing, and generosity to children in a home.

Who needs foster care?

The dogs in greatest need of foster care and rehabilitation are:

• older dogs
• dogs with health problems
• mothers and puppies (Fostering a litter of puppies a great way for your family to experience raising baby animals without adding to the pet overpopulation problems)
• dogs with behavioral problems or unaccustomed to living indoors
• any dog who has been at the shelter for more than three months.

What does it take to foster a dog?

We’re looking for foster parents with a love for animals, unending patience, and time to spend working with a dog who needs you. It also helps if you have:

• a safely fenced yard
  
• a safe uncarpeted room or crate for housetraining, if needed
  
• at least one person home a lot of the time (or able to visit at lunch)
  
• some knowledge of canine behaviour or training is helpful.

Saying goodbye

When your foster dog finally finds a permanent home, parting can be difficult. But you should feel proud of the love and care you’ve shown and your commitment to helping the shelter stay a pro-adoption facility. You’ll be free to take on another new canine project as soon as you are ready and are encouraged to help us out by placing the dog with a friend or family member.

If you are interested in joining our foster program or adopting one of the dogs we now have in foster care, please call 3-1-1 or outside Vancouver call 604.873.7000.

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