Foster parents are the most important people involved in a rescue. Imagine getting over 20 emails and phone calls a day from organizations and people begging you to take in a dog. A Rotta Love Plus works with a network of foster homes who care for the dogs while we find them their permanent homes. We don't have a shelter, so the fosters are invaluable to us, their numbers dictate how many lives we can save. Without the support and presence of fosters, most of the dogs will never make it out of the shelter alive.
What do I need to be a Foster Parent?
The main criteria are love and patience. You don't have to have a yard - many people who foster for us live in apartments. It's okay if you have another dog, and even if you have a cat. Most of the dogs that we take in are dog-friendly, and some even love cats. We will always work with you to make sure that your foster dog is a good fit for your home.
Other requirements:
You must live within 50 miles of the Twin Cities metro area.
Your homeowners insurance must not have breed exclusions. Our insurance requires that all of our foster homes have breed-friendly homeowners or renters insurance.
If you rent, that's ok but you will need to provide your landlord's phone number for verification that you can have a foster dog in your home.
We require that all current animals in your home are spayed or neutered and up to date on vaccinations. If there is a medical reason that your animals do not fit this requirement or you are actively showing your dog, please contact us to discuss it further.
You need to have a good understanding of the breeds, or be willing to learn. If you have other pets, you need to follow the safety guidelines suggested by PBRC when having Pit Bulls around other animals.
We occasionally look for short-term foster situations but we usually need long-term foster homes. Dogs can be stressed from being bounced from foster home to foster home. It also makes our jobs harder if we have to keep moving a dog from one "temporary" home to another.
We need understanding and patient foster Moms and Dads to commit to keeping a dog until it is place in a permanent home. Placement times can vary from two weeks, to 6 months or more. The dogs in foster care are kept "as long" as needed to find the most suitable home. When it comes to breeds as challenging to place as a Rottweilers and pit bulls, this often means several months in foster care. If you can't commit to keeping the dog as long as it takes, fostering these breeds may not a good idea. We ask our foster homes for at least 4 months commitment.
Some other frequently asked questions about fostering for ARLP:
What does a Foster Parent Do?
All the things that a dog owner does, but for a shorter time! Daily care, feeding, grooming, reinforcing obedience, and generally giving the dog love and affection. The reason why foster parents are so important is because there are wonderfully adoptable dogs in the shelters whose perfect owners haven't found them yet. Many people are wary about adopting directly from a shelter because so much is unknown about the dog. We only take in temperamentally sound dogs, and people are more likely to adopt from us because their foster parents can tell them what they are like in a home situation, likes and dislikes, and little quirks - things that are impossible to tell in a shelter situation.
Do I have to have a fenced yard?
We have no formal policy in regards to fenced yards. We encourage owners without fenced yards to think about how their dog will get adequate exercise and “take care of business”.
A fenced yard does not take the place of walks and adequate exercise.
Why do you need my homeowners insurance?
There are several major homeowners insurance companies, including American Family, that WILL NOT allow you to have a pit bull or Rottweiler and will cancel your policy for owning one.
Fortunately it's relatively easy to change insurance companies and the nation’s largest insurer, State Farm, does NOT have these biases. In addition, there are many other companies that will judge your dog on its behavior, not its breed. If you would like a list of companies, please contact us.
“My insurance will cancel me” is a common reason for people surrendering their pets to shelters.
How long will the Foster Dog stay with me?
That is the question we always get asked, and is the most difficult to answer. It can be anything from a couple of weeks to a couple of months - there is no fixed time. Sometimes we get a rush of people wanting to adopt dogs from us, and they literally fly out the door, and other times it is fairly slow.
Do I need to be home all day to Foster?
Not at all. Most regular dog owners aren't, and the dogs are fine. The only things that we ask is that if you have another pet, that you secure the foster dog in a crate or similar while you are away from the home. Never leave the dogs together unattended for both of their sakes. The most important thing to us is that safety of your pets as well as the safety of the foster dog.
Do I have to pay for everything myself?
Not at all. There will be small expenses such as dog bowls if you don't already have them, but if you need help with food expenses, we are happy to provide a bag of food for you. In the event that the dog requires medical treatment or medication, we will take care of those expenses. We would love to be able to pay for toys and other things for them, but we are a non-profit organization, and cannot afford to reimburse you for these items, but when we get toys and other sundries donated to us, we will pass them straight onto you!
How do you handle potential adopters for my Foster?
Our foster homes are included in the adoption process and make the placement decisions with us. While the foster dog is in your care, ARLP volunteers will work with you to screen prospective adopters, make home visits, and attempt to find the perfect match for your protege. We can meet potential families together and the placement is thoroughly discussed with everyone involved.
The rescue dogs however, are selected and bailed out by ARLP and remain the organization's responsibility. Our foster homes cannot make rescue and/or placement decisions without the approval of ARLP's officers.
What if I become attached to my Foster Dog?
That is completely natural - you are fostering because you love dogs, and you will probably become attached. It would be strange if you didn't! When you meet the family that will give the dog his permanent home, though, you will be more than happy to see him go. That's why you fostered in the first place! It is a wonderful thing to do to make sure that a dog in need will find a loving home!
What if I want to adopt my Foster Dog?
Of course! We understand how you can become attached, and we offer you the first choice at adopting your foster!
Won't it be hard to let them go?
It is not easy to let go our foster dogs. All ARLP volunteers understand this very well. Foster parents are often concerned about their attachments to the animals - When they realize what a wonderful gift they were able to give to an animal in need, it makes it all worthwhile! To have opened your heart and your home, and given a needy dog a second chance is truly an amazing experience. By turning them over to their permanent home, you will be able to foster another dog in need if you so choose. If we can only save one more life, it is worth the world and the sadness to say goodbye.
The Challenges of Rottweiler and Pit Bull rescue
These breeds are challenging to place for many reasons. A lot of good dog owners are victim of the bad press targeting this breed, and hard to convince to open their heart to a Rottweiler or pit bull. The breeds however, attracts all kind of unsavory individuals who should not even own a gold fish. Placing these breeds in the right home requires extensive screening and education. Many of the homes that apply for a dog through us are declined due to their lack of safe and responsible environment for such tenacious, powerful and affectionate breeds. When you take all this in consideration, you understand why finding a good loving home is not a piece of cake. The reward however, is more than you could ever imagine..
The reward of Rottweiler and Pit Bull rescue
Look into the eyes of your foster dog and you will find the best reward in the world.... Not to mention all the grateful kisses and snuggles you will get during your fosterering adventure...
Please consider fostering. It is one of the best things you can do for a dog in need.
If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, fill out a foster parent application. Thank you.
Why Foster?