Fostering

[Brattina88]

Does any one else on here foster dogs? (or any other pets?)

I got the call this morning about another dog they want me to foster. I'm hesitant, though...
It would be an instant 'Yes!', of course, but I'm worried. She's supposedly a 3yr old Cocker Spaniel that is having a hard time being homed because she's blind in one eye. I've seen her, and she appears to have a cateract that deffenatly needs to be checked out further by my vet, and health issues always concern me. Her card originally said 'needs to be only dog,' but when she called me she said nothing of the sort (and she knows I have 2 dogs) so I'm wondering whats up. After spending time with her I'm guessing she might be toy possesive with other dogs, but its just a gut feeling because she didn't show any signs of anything; I'm worried about that. I don't know if I want to risk upsetting the pack that is finally getting settled - my cocker has taken over that alpha dog roll and I fear it will greatly upset her if there is a bubble in the wrap.
I wish I could just explain it to Maddie and ask her if its okay

I feel like I foster WAY more "purebred" (of course, only by looks do we guess) dogs than mixes

here I go again. . .

 

[taratippy]

I foster as well. I do find its always a bit of a nerve wracker when a new one comes in, I have 5 of my own and whenever a new foster turns up they are always caged when not supervised for the first couple of weeks. This give time out for my old girl and respite for the newbie from our lunatic, so Im wondering if that could be part of the solution for you? Im sure the rescue will step in if it becomes a problem. Could the eye problem also be causing some aggression, she might be nervous if approached 'unseen' as such so if there is an improvement in that the problem might not arise or disappear.

I dont get many purebreeds, nearly all have been lurchers with only 1 pure grey at the moment. Mind you with the loonies here greys would find it a bit mad.

Good luck with your decision and well done anyway for fostering, its great.

 

[Brattina88]

I agreed to go to the shelter everyday and work with her, but IMHO I think this is a highly adoptable dog, and others would benifit more from fostering. It turns out that the percentage of the cateract was 30%, and she actually had quite a bit of sight in that eye; I didn't see how much a foster home could help a dog that is already house and obediance trained. I think when it came down to it most thought that the cocker wouldn't do well in the kennel situation - but what dog does :rolleye:
But it doesn't really matter, because she was adopted yesterday by an older couple that I gave my cell # that they could call for any reason, any time.

I wonder about the rescue I work with... it seems tht everytime a dog that is in my care is placed in a home, I'll have another one in about a week. It makes me wonder if the need for foster homes is that great, or if they depend on my care that much...?
Because already there like "well, we might have another dog for you.."

 

[taratippy]

Great news she's been adopted! I dont know about the rescue you work with or their policy, the one I work with dont have kennels at all they only have dogs in foster homes. However I believe that there will always be a need for fosters whatever the policy. As you say many dogs dont do well in kennels and its hard to assess them in those conditions so IMO I would say yes the need is that great and they obviously think you are a very good fosterer so keep up the good work

 

[bubbatd]

I agree... when from a HS..I feel they know the dogs that are under stress there and need to be fostered into a loving home....