Foster a Dog
Fostering a dog from our shelter is one of the most impactful ways you can help save lives of local dogs. When you open your home to a foster dog, you’re giving them a safe, loving environment to rest, recover, and prepare for adoption. Whether it’s a short stay while we make space at the shelter, or a longer-term foster for a dog healing from a medical procedure, every foster home plays a critical role in their journey. By fostering, you’re not only helping that one dog—you’re creating space and opportunity for us to help many more.
What does Fostering a Dog Involve?
Before bringing a dog into your life, consider a few important questions. Do you have the time each day to care for a dog’s needs, including feeding, walking, training, and companionship? Are you often away from home for long hours, and if so, do you have someone who can help care for your dog when you’re not around? If you need to travel, do you have a reliable plan for your dog’s care? Can you comfortably afford the ongoing expenses like food, toys, treats, shelter, and routine veterinary care? Lastly, is your home a safe and suitable environment for a dog—with space to sleep, play, and ideally a secure yard?
What does Fostering a Dog Involve?
Foster families are expected to provide basic care and love for the dog. Help it integrate the dog into a family atmosphere so that some day it might be able to join a permanent family with more ease.
What is the Foster Family's Responsibility?
Foster families are expected to provide basic care and love for the dog. Help it integrate the dog into a family atmosphere so that some day it might be able to join a permanent family with more ease.
What is MCares Responsibility?
Montague County Animal Rescue (MCares) will provide all medical treatments, vaccinations, and food.
What are the Foster Family's Medical Responsibilities?
MCares takes care of the financial responsibility. However, the foster’s need to take the foster dog to the veterinarian for examinations and immunizations as needed, and to seek immediate veterinary care should the animal become ill or injured.
How Long is the Foster Commitment
Foster arrangements can vary widely depending on the needs of the animal and the shelter. Some fosters are short-term, such as when the shelter is temporarily out of space. Others may last longer, especially if a dog is recovering from a medical procedure and needs time to heal in a quiet, supportive environment.
Can a Foster Family Decide to Adopt the Dog in Their Care?
Absolutely! You would be in great company. Many of our foster families fall in love with their dogs and realize they just can’t part with them, choosing to make the adoption official.