Foster Volunteers Needed

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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BOXER RESCUE VT NEEDS FOSTER HOMES TO SAVE LIVES OF DEATH ROW AND URGENT DOGS! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Our ability to save dogs is limited by the amount of volunteer foster homes that we have. Are you interested in saving precious lives? We are too!!! Please contact us today with your name address phone number and let us know that you’re looking to volunteer as a temporary or long-term foster home. It cost nothing to volunteer and it means everything to the lives of the pets! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fostering is NOT a LIFETIME commitment, it is a Commitment to SAVE a LIFE! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fostering is vital part of rescue, without foster homes to help care for rescued dogs, we would not be able to take in as many as we do. Foster homes provide a caring environment, individual attention and socialization, while helping keep dogs out of shelters and safe from the possibility of being euthanized. There are currently not enough foster homes to care for the many homeless and at risk dogs. Our group desperately needs caring people to open their hearts and their homes to these animals in need. If you think you could be one of those people, the following information is intended to answer some of the questions you might have. The Reality of Fostering Dogs in need of foster homes have often been surrendered to the rescue by owners who no longer wanted them or were unable to care for them. Many have been rescued from shelters or seized from owners or breeders who abused or neglected them. Sometimes they are in poor health. Often, the dogs are healthy and have been well cared for, but have been misplaced by circumstance. • The Rescue does it’s best to match foster homes with the most compatible dog possible. An application is filled out by all foster homes to determine what limits each home has. Rescue dogs almost always require training. Some have minor behavior issues or health concerns. Fostering is a commitment, but no one is ever asked to take on more than they are comfortable with. Common behavioral issues with rescued dogs include housebreaking problems, marking, food and/or toy aggression, destructiveness, barking and jumping. Common emotional issues include separation anxiety, neediness, fear and shyness. We ask that foster parents treat their foster dog with as much love and compassion as they would their own. This is usually the primary need of all rescued dogs, many of whom have never known love or compassion before their foster home. Most people have to work part or full time, including foster parents. It is possible to work full time and be a foster parent, but it does require dedication and consistency. People with pets can still foster, provided these pets are not aggressive, of course. In fact, that is usually the case and it is a great way to provide socialization. Sometimes there is a bit of initial tension, but this can usually be alleviated by slowly introducing pets to a foster dog, and keeping their time together supervised. The average fostering period is 2-6 weeks, sometimes less, sometimes more. There are a number of factors that affect this period, including the health, behavior, sex and age of the dog, making it impossible to predict. Parting with a foster dog is emotional, and the first time is the hardest. The Rescue has a strong support system to help with the transition, and most foster parents keep in touch with the adoptive parents. Foster parents have the final say on who adopts the dog in their care. There will always be several people who are happy to answer questions, offer advice, and help foster parents in anyway possible. Some of the Responsibilities of a Foster Parent • Offering compassion and affection to a very deserving dog. • Taking the foster dog to be examined by a designated veterinarian, and following up with any necessary treatment, medications, and/or additional visits to the veterinary facility. Expenses are paid for by the Rescue. • Monitoring the foster dog’s health and reporting any concerns. • Providing quality food, clean, fresh water, toys and bedding. • Housebreaking when necessary – often dogs need only a little guidance or time to adjust to a new environment. • Reinforcing basic obedience and appropriate behavior with treats, praise and positive reinforcement. • Socializing – Spending time around other pets and people when possible. • Grooming – Generally requires only routine grooming. Dogs with skin problems may require more rigorous grooming. • Exercising and playing with the foster dog. • Observing the character and behavior of the foster dog, to ensure the best possible placement, and approving a permanent home. • Preparing the foster dog for relocation to a permanent home. The Requirements for Fostering Devotion to improving the life of a foster who needs, and deserves a second chance. Patience is necessary when caring for a foster dog. Most rescued dogs have not had any training. A little time each day focused on obedience is all it usually takes to correct this problem. Space to keep a crate, or a room that a dog could stay in while unsupervised that can be separated from other rooms by a door or baby gate. Enough time each day to spend exercising, training, playing with and doting on a foster dog. Transportation and time to take a foster dog to the vet when it is needed. A big heart and the desire to make a difference in a foster’s life. Fostering a needy animal is a big responsibility, but the rewards for saving a life are much bigger. Becoming a foster parent is the best way to become involved in rescue and to make a big difference you can see and feel. Opening your home to a foster not only saves the life of the foster dog, but it makes room for another dog to be brought into the rescue. That is two dogs saved by the kindness of each foster home. Please remember, fostering saves lives. Email BoxerRescueVT@yahoo.com to request a volunteer foster application! You can help Boxer Rescue VT give one more homeless Animal a better life, a life filled with love, warmth and security.

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Foster Volunteers Needed, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.