If you are interested in being a foster home for Northern Spirit K9 Rescue this is the process you can expect
to be involved in. You will be asked to fill in a foster care application form and to sign a foster care contract.
Northern Spirit K9 Rescue coordinators will contact you with further information
and answer any questions you may have. If you will make a suitable foster home we will
add you to our list of available foster homes.
When Northern Spirit K9 Rescue receives a rescued dog we will refer to our foster care list and determine
the best match of foster home and dog. The foster home will be contacted and we will pass along all
information that we have on the dog (remember with some dogs there may be no information available).
We will arrange for the dog to be moved to the foster home ASAP. We will arrange a time for spaying/neutering
and vaccination of the dog. Northern Spirit K9 Rescue will provide food and cover the costs of spay/neuter operations, vaccinations and any medical
situations which may occur.
Once in a foster home we like to allow the dog some time to settle in with the foster home so a
more correct assessment of the dog can be established. The time line will depend on the dog.
In the event that a dog comes in without any history of vaccinations the foster home can expect to have
the dog for 5-6 weeks as two sets of booster shots will need to be administered in this time frame prior
to the dog being adopted. Ideally we like rescues to spend whatever time they need with a foster home until
they are stable and prepared to make the adjustment to a new home.
Once the dog has received necessary care and training
and is ready for adoption Northern Spirit K9 Rescue with help from the foster home will begin
the process of searching for a new home. Northern Spirit K9 Rescue will arrange visits between
potential adopters and the foster home. If someone contacts the foster home expressing interest
in the dog it is the foster homes responsibility to notify Northern Spirit K9 Rescue so that the necessary paperwork
is filled in and a second assessment of potential adopters can be made by Northern Spirit K9 Rescue coordinators.
Our main concern is to make the best possible match for the dog.
When a potential new home is found Northern Spirit K9 Rescue will arrange with the foster
home for the dog to spend some time with the potential adopters and will refer to
the foster home for their feelings and opinions on the potential adopters.
If the match is successful there will be a 24-hour time period for the adopters
to think about their decision and for the foster home to prepare for the dog to leave.
We want our foster homes to be involved in the process of re-homing and will strive
to maintain regular contact with foster homes that are caring for a rescue dog.
Foster homes are an important part of rescue. We want our foster homes to feel that
they can contact Northern Spirit K9 Rescue coordinators at any time with their questions and concerns.
You do not have to be a dog trainer or have any special talents to foster.
You must be able to provide time, care, and love
for a dog on a short term basis (until the dog is adopted).
Fostering allows people an opportunity to see if a dog is the
right pet for their family before making a lifelong commitment.
It can allow people who travel and are away from home for several months of the year
a chance to enjoy the company of a pet when they are at home. Fostering gives some people
the chance to discover what type of dog they can live with. If you love dogs, being a foster
home is a great way to learn and experience and to give back to man's best friend.
