FOSTER FAQ’S
Can I still foster if…

I DON’T HAVE A FENCED YARD OR A YARD AT ALL?

Absolutely! Our foster families come from a variety of different housing arrangements - country, suburbs, big city, houses, apartments etc. Yes, some dogs do better with a fenced yard or in a quieter neighbourhood, however in general we believe that if a dog receives adequate physical exercise and mental stimulation, a backyard is not necessary.


I WORK ALL DAY AWAY FROM HOME?

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 go one hour for every month of age up to 8 hours.  Make sure you are upfront and honest about your work schedule with RAD during the interview process.


I HAVE CHILDREN?

In many cases, yes! Fostering a dog can be a great project for families; one that teaches children and adults about the value of volunteering, responsibility, empathy and, yes, learning to deal with loss when their beloved foster dog is adopted. Positive, loving relationships with animals at a young age promotes responsible, respectful, humane and caring adults.

We firmly believe that respect is a two way street though and that it is the parent’s job to teach their children dog etiquette. 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 from tiny humans. 

Before bringing a new dog into the home, we urge you to sit down with the entire family to lay down some ground rules. Be sure to discuss how you plan to provide a safe environment for both the dog, the child or children, and set expectations for appropriate behaviour.

Please visit  https://www.thefamilydog.com/stop-the-77/ for some great age appropriate videos and posters on kid and dog safety.


OUR FAMILY ALREADY HAS PETS?

We will take your current family pets into consideration before placing a dog with you. If we’re not confident the dog is safe to be around these pets, we will not place him or her in your home.  In addition, we can provide tips on how to introduce your new foster dog to your resident pets.


IF MY PET(S) ISN’T SPAYED/NEUTERED OR DOESN’T HAVE VACCINATIONS UP-TO-DATE?

Generally, no, however we will discuss this with you on a case by case basis. Our goal is to ensure the safety and wellness of our foster dogs and your resident pets, and to prevent the spread of disease and unplanned puppies!


IF THE FOSTER DOG NEEDS MEDICAL CARE?

As a foster parent, you have no financial responsibilities for the cost of treating your foster dog.  If something happens that requires your foster dog to need medical treatment though, you MUST contact RAD immediately and they will book you an appointment at one of our approved partner vets. Unless it is a legitimate emergency, RAD reserves the right to decline reimbursement for veterinary costs incurred without our knowledge and consent.

WILL THE FOSTER DOG BE HEALTHY?

RAD cannot guarantee a dog’s wellness but will disclose everything we know about the dog prior to placing him or her in your home.  All dogs will receive basic vet care and an evaluation either before or shortly after being placed in a foster home.  This includes 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 ailments in our newly arrived dogs. Both are very treatable and do not pose long-term health risks to humans or dogs.


HOW WILL I KNOW THE DOG IS WELL-BEHAVED

RAD 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. You should however expect there to be a period of adjustment for you and your new foster dog. Remember - some of our dogs may not have had exposure to what we deem an ‘acceptable’ environment for a dog, and your home is a new environment. 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.

WHAT ARE THE FOSTER RESPONSIBILITIES IN A NUTSHELL

Fosters provide shelter, love, and care until the dog is adopted.

This includes but is not limited to:

  • Basic training (house training, crate training, basic commands, structure and boundaries)

  • Being able to pick up the dog from airport or being available on arrival for a transport volunteer to drop off the dog and their supplies

  • Bringing the dog to vet appointments, as needed

  • Picking up any additional/refill supplies requested

  • Attending adoption events with your pup when requested

  • Providing updates, pictures and review bios of the foster dog

  • Meeting with potential adopters (meet & greets and informal meetings)

WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO BE A FOSTER

The process of fostering includes an application, reference check and a home visit.

Step 1: Your application will undergo an initial review by a volunteer and if you meet the requirements, it will be assigned to a screener. Within a few days, a volunteer will be in touch with you to set up a telephone interview. This interview usually lasts around 30 minutes.

Step 2: Your references - both veterinarian and personal will be contacted.

Step 3: The home visit will be conducted. All members of the family must be present during this time, including roommates or tenants.

Once approved, a representative from RAD will contact you and conduct an on-boarding session to review our policies and procedures and have you sign some standard paperwork. From there, you will await your first assignment!