Fostering is where you temporarily look after a dog in your own home while the dog is waiting to find it’s forever home. Fostering is an amazing opportunity to support the work here at Dogs Walk This Way Rescue and our fosters are vital to our organisation.
Why are fosters so important?
There are some dogs who find a kennel environment too stressful. This could be due to them being anxious and kennels being too noisy and busy or that they have already lived in a home environment.
Many younger dogs, in particular, do better when they are placed in a home environment where they get more one-to-one attention and training. Others may have never lived in a home and a foster home is the next step of their rehabilitation before they are ready to find their own home.
By taking a rescue dog into your home, you will improve their well-being and help them build confidence which, in turn, will allow their personality to shine through and give them a much higher chance of finding their perfect forever home. The other benefit to fostering is that by taking a dog from kennels, you will be freeing up a space to allow us to move in another deserving rescue dog.
Why should I choose to foster for Dogs Walk This Way Rescue?
At Dogs Walk This Way we are on hand to support our fosters throughout the foster process from the point of application through to the dog moving to its forever home.
- Once your application has been submitted you will be contacted by a member of our foster team. They will talk through your application with you and answer any questions that you may have.
- You will then be asked to complete and submit a homecheck form for your home address. Once received we will book a homecheck with you so we can see the set up and layout of the property. The homecheck may be completed in person or via video call or both. This is dependent on the size and layout of the property, the dog you are potentially going to foster or if there are areas of the property that we can’t see on the video or need to take a closer look at.
- Once your homecheck has been completed we will contact your references.
- You are now ready to foster.
- A foster dog will be matched to you based on the needs of the dog and your experience.
- You will be invited to come and meet the dog prior to fostering it (if this is possible – some of our foster dogs are direct arrivals from Romania)
- If there is more than one dog suitable then you will be invited to meet them and be able to choose your foster.
- While fostering you will receive regular follow up calls/messages to check that the dog is settling ok and to support you with any issues that you may be experiencing. We will also provide food for the dog (if you would like us to), any essential items of equipment (crate, bed, bowls, collar, leads, harness) and cover any vets bills while the dog is in your care.
- Once your foster is ready to be rehomed we will ask you to provide details and pictures for the advert.
- We will support you through the meet and greet process with any potential adopters and also the handover process when the time comes for your foster dog to leave for its forever home.
- You are now ready for a new foster dog to arrive!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to live nearby to your kennels?
No but we do ask that you live within an hour’s drive of our kennels in Longcross, Surrey. This is so we can support you through the process.
I already have dog(s) of my own, will I be able to foster?
Absolutely! We welcome foster applications from dog owners, particularly dog owners who have experience with behavioural issues (e.g - dog or person reactivity, resource guarding). Some of our dogs need a foster home with a resident dog who can show them ropes. As some of our dogs have behavioural issues it is key that your own dog is a good canine role model.
I don’t have a dog of my own, will I be able to foster?
Yes! We welcome foster applications from non-dog owners as well, particularly people who have experience with behavioural issues (e.g - dog or person reactivity, resource guarding). Some of our dogs need a foster home without a resident dog due to behavioural issues or that they prefer their own space. Please be aware that if you have no dog experience at all we are unlikely to have a foster dog that is suitable for you.
I have children or cats, am I able to foster?
Of course! We look for all types of home environments for our dogs and have dogs that are suitable to live with children and cats. Please be aware though that this may limit the dogs suitable for you.
I would like to adopt a dog, can I foster it first to see if I like it?
Unfortunately not. Our fosters provide temporary homes while a dog is waiting for their forever home. We offer any potential adopters the opportunity to meet the dog they are interested in more than once and, if the dog is lead trained and out walking, will invite the potential adopter to join us on a walk so they can see the dogs behaviour when out and about. Very occasionally we will offer a foster trial to a potential adopter but these are reserved for dogs who have issues and need some time to settle into the new home.
If you are interested in fostering and would like to discuss this with us, please complete our foster application form and a member of our team will be in touch as soon as possible.