About Becoming a Foster Home

Fostering provides many homeless dogs with the opportunity for a second chance at life.

Some fosters take in a single dog, others take in many. But regardless of the number, together they are creating a future for a dog who may have not have had a life even just an hour ago. To provide a foster home is to provide the facilities for the rescue organization to save lives. Some of these rescued dogs are turned into shelters due to medical or behavioral problems, sometimes because the novelty of the pet has worn off or for various other reasons, others were strays living an uncertain life, and others were rescued directly off the euthanization table in a kill shelter. Fostering provides the ability to rescue animals and place them in temporary homes until such time that a permanent adoptive family is found. The foster parents provide security, love, place for these dogs to call home, and having the feeling of "belonging." Without fostering, our rescue organization simply couldn’t exist. The rescue organizations are very dependent on donations, adoptions, and funding. Rescue organizations operate differently and come in all sizes and types. Some rescues are breed specific, we rescue the Shih Tzu and Maltese breed and occasionally mixes of either of the two.

We’ve often see and hear from people that they fear fostering because they would want to adopt every homeless pet that came through their front door. With love and care, foster animals will bond with you and your family –– we won’t lie to you there. And whether the situation is perfect for you or a less than perfect you will become attached to your foster pet as well. But letting go of your foster pet will be made easier when you see the careful screening that we do, the initial and follow-up home checks, and the loving family waiting to take your foster pet into their hearts. To know that you made a difference for a once unwanted and homeless dog, will leave you knowing you did the right thing by fostering. And because you fostered an animal, you have saved a life. But this is not the only reward.

The rewards of being a foster parent (and they are tremendous!)

A dog will have the opportunity for a second chance at life because someone was willing to take him/her in until a permanent and loving home could be found. Without foster homes, many dogs in shelters have no place to go. In a kill shelter, this means they have little chance at love or life at all.

Many animals are saved from an uncertain future or death at the kill shelter because rescue organizations and foster care was available. And for our rescue organization, foster care providers play a very valuable role –– they make the difference in whether there is room for another rescued animal to be taken in. There are approximately 6 million animals euthanized in shelters yearly, most were wonderful pets who only needed a home. Please……foster an unwanted animal. You can truly make a difference!

The warm, fuzzy feeling that comes from receiving love and trust from a dog who was once scared, unsure of people or life, and very lonely, brings you such self-fulfillment, joy, and tears of happiness. It is so satisfying to know you have provided a safe haven for a dog and in the process saved a life and made a difference!

If you want to help a homeless dog please consider fostering.

The Role of the Rescue Organization

The CSTMR is always grateful for the help you provide when you foster one of their homeless dogs. As you foster an animal, we will always be available to you for assistance. We can and will provide the knowledge and expertise to help you with the care, welfare, and training of your foster pet. Usually, several phone numbers are made available to you so that you never need to worry about being alone without answers to your questions.

We provide the cost of veterinary care through our veterinarians and clinics for your foster pet. This also includes vaccinations and testing for diseases, as well as spay/neuter.  At times, we are able to offer supplies such as a carrier, crate, temporary ID tag, collar, leash, or food and water bowls. This will depend largely on the donations that we receive.

To provide the best foster match for you and your home. We do require an application and a home visit –– don’t take it personally. In doing so, we make sure it’s a winning situation for both you and the dog in need of a foster home. And most times if you take in a foster pet and it is not working for either you or the pet, we will take it back into our care and find a more suitable foster home. We want the best situation for everyone (furry and otherwise) involved.

Adoption events, screening and advertising –– all which work together to place your foster pet in the best possible home with a loving, caring and conscientious family.

Responsibilities of Foster Parent

As a foster parent there are responsibilities –– you are taking care of a small life and there are some core concepts.

Daily care for your foster dog which includes transporting (vet, groomer, meeting points), feeding, exercise (walking and playing), grooming (mostly just brushing, nail trimming, and bathing), give daily medicines (if required), gating off stairways and any other drop off areas with dogs that have vision problems or any other ailment where these areas would pose a hazard, and helping to establish good behavior. During your daily care it is a good idea to note personality traits and aspects (i.e. - how well they get along with other animals and children, aggressive or docile, how active they are, do they need extra attention, etc.)

Provide plenty of TLC, security and attention –– often times these pets have been neglected, abused or are just plain scared because of all the new and unfamiliar activity. Your patience, understanding, and love will go a long way in comforting these little ones.

Watch for signs of problems such as illness or behavior problems and communicate these with the rescue organization. We have a large base of knowledge for dealing with and solving undesirable behavioral patterns as well as helping you with guidance on your ill foster pet –– please use our experience!

Foster animals must be keep inside your home or secure. Because your new friend does not know that your house is their home and where they should stay, they must be kept inside where they can not wander off. Additionally, sometimes dogs require to be crated during the hours you are not home, and on a leash when they are outside and you are WITH them. This should be discussed with the rescue director when special circumstances are required.

If you have other pets, they should be current on vaccinations.

Please consider fostering and saving these animals from scary, lonely death sentences at animal shelters and to help owners who can no longer keep their pets. Volunteer to help the needy pets in your community. No matter how much spare time you have, you can make a difference.

CSTMR’s volunteers and their needy subjects would appreciate every moment you can contribute. Monetary donations are also always welcome to pay for our veterinarian and food expenses.

If you are interested in fostering please contact CSTMR at 303-289-2541 or email the Colorado Shih Tzu and Maltese Rescue at shihtzuco@aol.com or fostering@cstmr.org

Please click here for a very special note to our current and future foster parents.