Foster Program

Cooper and his friend.

Phoenix Animal Rescue is always pleased to find new responsible foster homes for our dogpals. All of our dogs live in friendly home environments where they can learn about being part of a family. Foster volunteers often help us to further determine the behavioral characteristics of the dogs as individuals which of course helps us to find the best fitting forever homes. Socialization with both dogs and people is very important and the one-on-one attention of a good foster home is invaluable. Foster volunteers help us determine such factors like whether a dog is good with children or cats and if they are couch potatoes or go-getters.

Phoenix Animal Rescue is thrilled that you are thinking of fostering one of our adorable adoptables. Before you foster, ask yourself these questions:

Are you able to separate the foster animals from your own?
Sometimes, foster animals should be isolated from your own companion animals. A separate room or enclosed area with NO carpet will work best. Not all foster pets need to be separate, but if you foster a dog who has special needs, please be prepared to provide a separate area for your foster dog.

Are you aware that there is a great deal of clean-up and even possible damage to your home when you take a foster animal home?
Foster dogs have ruined drapes, carpeting, clothing, and other valuable items. Preparing your home and the area the animals will stay in can prevent most accidents, but not all of them!

Are you able to monitor the health of the foster dogs?
You will need to pay attention to signs of illness or worsening of symptoms and contact the rescue if you are concerned. Foster home training will cover what to look for and the rescue staff will help you decide if you should bring the animals in for treatment.

Can you get to us quickly in case of an emergency?
Only the staff at the rescue can determine if your foster animals need medical attention. If the dogs you are fostering need medical attention, you will need to coordinate with the rescue staff to make an appointment with our veterinarian and transport the animal to the veterinarian for care.

Are you emotionally prepared to return the dog to the rescue after the foster period is up?
It can be very difficult to let go once you have become emotionally attached to the animals! Be prepared for tears and heartache when the day comes that you must give up your beloved foster pet for adoption. You will be giving love and attention to the animals everyday and know that they are much more likely to find a loving, permanent home because of YOUR care!

Can you place your trust in the rescue staff to decide what is the best for the dog?
Sometimes a foster situation doesn’t work out and the staff at the rescue might need to remove your foster pet from your care and ask you to foster a pet that is more suitable to your foster home.

Do you feel comfortable explaining to friends that these dogss are not yours to adopt out and that they must go through the regular adoption process at the rescue?
If you are interested in helping to find homes for your foster dogs, refer your friends and family to the rescue website to complete an adoption application.

Foster Program Policies

The Director of Phoenix Animal Rescue must approve all foster homes.

Each foster volunteer must complete a foster application.

A rescue volunteer will conduct a home visit prior to the arrival of the first foster pet.

All pets chosen for fostering must be approved by the Director of Phoenix Animal Rescue.

If you foster for any other rescue group, the Director of Phoenix Animal Rescue must be notified. We encourage foster families to help out other rescue groups by fostering and volunteering but we need to know their policies and procedures to ensure the health and safety of our foster pets.

Our foster pets must be housed in a stress-free environment, and cannot live outdoors.

A foster volunteer will identify the type of animal they would like to foster i.e. puppies, large or small dogs, etc. The Director will make the final decision regarding which animals are to be placed in foster care.

If there is an emergency, the foster volunteer must contact the rescue immediately. If the foster volunteer chooses to go to a personal vet instead of working with the rescue, the rescue will not be responsible for any monetary reimbursement.

All foster animals are the property of Phoenix Animal Rescue.

There should not be more than five animals in a foster home including pets and fosters. The Director will determine any exceptions. All private pets must be up to date on all shot records before a volunteer can foster.

If a foster volunteer is terminated from the foster program and has possession of a foster pet, the foster pet must be returned to the rescue immediately.

Mocha's foster mom helped her learn to be confident. Now, thanks to her foster mom's efforts, Mocha is in her forever home!

Qualifications

To be a successful foster parent, you will need a compassionate nature, the cooperation of your family or roommates, flexibility, and some knowledge of animal behavior. You also must be prepared to say goodbye to your foster pet when he gets adopted.

The length of time a foster animal may stay in your home varies with the animal's situation. The average stay is two months.

Regular communication with rescue staff is imperative.

Cuddles goes out to dinner with her foster family.

Preparing Your Home

You will need to keep your own companion animals separate from your foster animals for 10 days. It is always a health risk to expose your animals to other animals, so to be on the safe side, you should keep them separate for 10 days.

If you are fostering puppies, remember that they will play or chew anything they can find! Drapes, electrical cords, lamp-shades, etc. are puppy favorites so be sure to "puppy-proof" your home.

Supplies you will need:

Newspapers: If you are fostering puppies that are not yet crate trained or house trained, you will need to set aside an area for the puppies that can be covered with newspapers.

Food bowls: When the rescue has extra food bowls, they will be provided. However, we ask that foster volunteers provide food bowls if they can. Food bowls should be metal, as plastic can harbor bacteria. Metal mixing bowls make great food bowls.

Water bowls: Provide access to water at all times for young puppies. Remember, young animals can drown, so make sure the bowl is very shallow.

Heating pad: If you are fostering underage puppies, they will need a heat source. If you use a heating pad, be sure that there is space for the puppies to move away from the heat in case they are too hot, and always place heating pads on the lowest setting.

Toys: Go crazy if you want! Providing lots of different kinds of toys will help your foster pet learn more about being a part of a family. Having toys that keep your foster pet occupied in a crate can make fostering a lot easier. Consider having a few Kongs, treat balls, and bones for your foster pet. Rawhides and Greenies are not allowed for Phoenix Animal Rescue foster pets.

Baby gate: Limit access to your home so accidents can be minimized.

Crate: Crates will be provided for PAR foster pets. If you already have a crate that you are willing to donate for fostering, thank you! Remember, your crate might be damaged by your foster pet.

Food: All food will be provided for your foster pet. If you are fostering underage puppies, formula and feeding supplies will be provided. If you are willing to donate food or supplies to your foster pet, thank you!

Sheets and bedding: Crates should be comfy places, so be sure to have old sheets for bedding in your foster pet’s crate.

Other considerations: Bottle of "Simple Solution" for accidents, “Bitter Apple” to discourage chewing inappropriate items, and lots of patience.

Lola is very missed by her foster mom and everyone who knew her.

Does being a foster volunteer interest you? Would you like to be part of a grass-roots rescue group and help save the lives of dogs and puppies? Please download and complete the foster volunteer application and read over the agreement to know what is involved. Email the foster volunteer application to phoenixanimalrescue.org@gmail.com and a rescue volunteer will contact you. Thank you!

Foster Volunteer Application and Agreement

Foster Volunteer Gillian adopted her foster friend, Sheba.

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