Temporary Fostering: Typically 1 Week or Less

This is temporary housing while we finalize a long-term plan for a newly rescued dog.

Short-Term Fostering: 1 Week to 3 Months

This option allows a Foster Dog to begin to decompress, and is good if you are able to help but cannot commit for an unknown length of time.

Long-Term Fostering: 3+ Months (As long as it takes for the dog to get adopted)

You commit to caring for a Foster Dog for an unknown length of time--until they are placed into their Foster-to-Adopt home!

Foster-to-Adopt (Adoption): Furever!

All Potential Adopters will go through a required 3-Month Foster Period to ensure a lasting fit with their Foster Dog. Once the 3-Month Foster Period is up and if things are going well, then the Adoption will be finalized!

Every dog is different and takes their own amount of time to settle in, adjust, and get comfortable in their new environment. DO NOT RUSH THIS PROCESS AND PLEASE BE UNDERSTANDING WITH YOUR FOSTER DOG!

We provide everything you need to set your Foster Dog up for success in your home from the start! 

1. Food, Treats, & Meal Toppers
2. Supplements & Medications
3. Bedding (Dog Bed and/or Blankets)
4. Collapsible Crate or Heavy-Duty Crate
5. Pee Pads and Cleaning Supplies
6. Baby Gates and Playpen Fencing
7. Toys & Chews
8. Waist Leash or Over-the-Shoulder Leash
9. 20ft or 50ft Long Leash
10. Collar, Nametag, and Harness
11. Security Camera (only you have access to view this)
12. White Noise Sound Machine
13. Apple AirTag & Holder
14. Car Seatbelt or Car Harness
15. Hygiene Supplies
16. Mobility or Safety Needs (ramp, dog shoes for hot pavement, etc.)

Whenever you need additional supplies replenished by us (such as food), please let us know as soon as possible (ideally 3+ days in advance) so we have enough time to get it ordered and delivered to you. In most cases, we will have items shipped directly to you or delivered through Instacart (depending on where we can get the best price!)

We will provide budget-friendly toys and treat requests within reason, but we cannot accommodate all requests, though we can offer alternative suggestions. If you would like us to purchase your Foster Dog something specific (or if you want to request reimbursement for a specific item), you must get pre-approval from us first before purchasing, or we will be unable to reimburse you for unauthorized expenses. You are always welcome to provide additional supplies outside of this list as desired (at your own expense). 

Please keep in mind that as a small rescue organization, we are on a strict budget and have to prioritize the overall needs of all of our dogs within the rescue over individual wants; thank you for your understanding.

You will help them get settled into a new routine, feel comfortable and safe, and help them gain confidence by having new experiences while living in a home environment with you. A big part of setting you and your Foster Dog up for success is a structured Sleep Schedule!

• Uninterrupted Sleep means they are sound asleep, are not being disturbed by sounds, not getting up and wandering around frequently, they can lay down and be sleeping for 2-3 hours at a time, and overnight they should be able to 'sleep through the night' without waking up
• A structured sleep schedule: 16-18 hours per day/night minimum!
• Younger and Older dogs need closer to 18-20 hours of sleep per day/night

• Rest Time: This is time when your dog is laying down or relaxing, but isn't necessarily getting Uninterrupted Sleep. They could be waking up on and off, or just laying down or spending time with you, or calmly enjoying time in the yard. This is time when your dog may be awake but they are not play, eating, exercising; they are relaxing and learning "the art of doing nothing"

• Where Your Foster Dog Gets Uninterrupted Sleep: In the crate, your bed, in a designated space or room on a dog bed/blankets. If your Foster Dog is a high-energy dog who can't relax easily on their own or is destructive or curious when left alone, then we request they sleep in a crate to get the recommended amount of Uninterrupted Sleep per day/night. All of our dogs are already crate-trained!

• Where Your Foster Dog Rests: This can be throughout your house or anywhere you can trust them! You will want to ensure you are supervising your Foster Dog at all times when they are resting (and not necessarily sleeping)! You can also put them in their crate for short Rest Times to help bring their energy levels down (such as after a walk or after playtime) so that you are helping them learn to regulate their own energy levels.

Why is this Important?

A well-rested dog is more able to regulate their emotions and energy levels, and by offering a set schedule of Uninterrupted Sleep, you can help your Foster Dog learn how to rest on their own! If they can't relax outside of their crate, then we will slowly build up the amount of time they can "do nothing" outside of their crate unsupervised.

How to Do This:

1. Align the dog's sleep schedule with your daily routine. What time do you wake up, go to work, come home from work, typically go to bed?
2. Set up a space where the only thing your dog does in this area is REST! This can be a crate, private room, dog bed with a playpen fence around it, etc.
3. Calculate how many how many hours per night you sleep/your dog will get Uninterrupted Sleep on average
4. Now calculate the difference between the number of hours asleep at night and the 16-20 hours needed per day/night--- the number you get is the number of hours they should be getting Uninterrupted Sleep throughout the day
5. Take that number and divide it up within your daily schedule: maybe they nap for 2 hours after breakfast & playtime, or after a long walk.
6. Keep a written record to track how many hours your Foster Dog is sleeping!

We will help you dial in their Sleep Schedule to ensure they are getting enough quality sleep and helping you coordinate this with your day-to-day life!

We provide information on the brand of food, toppers, treats, supplements, and chews we use (and what we avoid), as well as any special preferences, limitations, sensitivities or allergies your Foster Dog may have. Remember, we supply everything they need!

We love to give freshly-prepared foods (meats, veggies, rice, etc.) along with their kibble. We also occasionally add-on things like canned tuna, sardines, wet dog food, and other delicious items. (One day we hope to transition our dogs off of kibble entirely and onto fresh meats and human-grade foods only!)

Our dogs take 1-3 nutritional supplements, depending on their specific needs. We will provide a complete list of your specific Foster Dog's preferences and favorite treats, as well as how they like their meals prepared!

We also include education for you around best practices and safety measures to take when feeding, giving treats (other special items), as well education about Resource Guarding--what it is, how to handle it, and what not to do!

A weekly exercise schedule (walks, playtime, yard time, hiking, running, fitness exercises, etc.) is essential to help keep your dog healthy, happy, and more able to regulate their own energy levels!

We provide full guidance on what is and isn't recommended for your specific Foster Dog, and we provide access to a dog fitness app called "Canine health Hub" as well as a customized exercise plan for them too! 

In some cases, due to physical limitations or special behavioral needs, a dog may need limited walks, and we will teach you how to meet their physical activity needs using different methods!

Mental stimulation such as sniffing, puzzle toys, learning something new, or other activities that get your Foster Dog thinking and problem-solving!

We will provide a complete list of your specific Foster Dog's preferences for activities they enjoy! and we will provide all necessary items to help you do it!

Start stocking up on everyday items like empty boxes, toilet paper/paper towel rolls, old towels/bed sheets, plastic water bottles, etc. We're going to be helping the environment by recycling stuff while providing mental enrichment for your Foster Dog!

Regular and frequent hygienic care is part of your responsibility to your Foster Dog! While some people prefer to outsource these needs to a groomer, some of dogs do not like being handled by strangers or receiving care, so we STRONGLY recommend for you to be the person to provide care for your Foster Dog. This includes baths, ear cleaning, brushing, nose & paw care, nail trimming/filing, and any other care as needed.

Please keep in mind that going to the groomer can be a stressful experience for your dog, which is why we prefer you be the person to provide this care instead. If you still prefer to send them to the groomer, this is at your own expense and you must let us know in advance so we can offer guidance in selecting a trustworthy groomer and providing behavioral support! In some cases, your Foster Dog may need to wear a muzzle as a safety precaution.

We will provide a complete list of your specific Foster Dog's preferences or dislikes, precautions to take, and education around Cooperative Care, as well as alternatives to things your dog doesn't like. We can also help you create a weekly/monthly hygiene schedule!

We pay for all vet visits and medical care, including check-ups, vaccines, pain/behavioral medication, allergy needs, flea/tick prevention, bloodwork, x-rays, and any other care as needed. Whenever possible, we advocate for a natural and minimally-invasive approach for our dogs.

• Semi-Annual Check-ups (2-3 times a year) are needed for older dogs or those with medical conditions; Annual Check-ups (once a year) are needed for younger dogs or generally healthy dogs
• We keep our Foster Dogs up-to-date with the required Rabies, DHP, and Bordatella vaccines. (Please Note: we would prefer to utilize Teter Testing rather than annual vaccines; ask us for more information about vaccine risks)
• Some dogs need regular or situational behavioral medication to manage animal reactivity or other behavioral concerns; a consultation with both a trainer and vet behaviorist are needed prior to receiving a prescription
• Some dogs may take CBD, pain, or other medications to assist with a variety of needs such as pain management, reactivity, appetite, thyroid issues, etc.
• We will provide flea/tick medication (NexGuard) if requested, but we prefer to use natural and holistic methods (including essential oil sprays and nutritional options), because flea/tick medications come with an increased risk of seizures or adverse reactions. This goes for Heartworm medication as well.
• Allergies can be treated naturally through a food-elimination process, allergen testing, and supplementation; we can also have the dog receive a Cytopoint allergy shot as a form of management (this does not get to the root of the problem though and may have adverse reactions)
• X-rays may be needed if a dog has unresolved pain, arthritis, or an injury
• Bloodwork is typically done when we first rescue a dog and annually thereafter, depending on the dog's ability to have blood drawn. Some dogs will require going under anesthesia, and this comes with its own precautions to consider

Vet Care will be provided if there is a problem with your Foster Dog! It is your responsibility to communicate to us immediately when something is going on, no matter how small or minor it may seem! We will first consult with our virtual Veterinarian team to determine potential solutions, and get a vet visit scheduled with your local Veterinarian if needed!

We will provide a complete list of your specific Foster Dog's needs and work together with you and our Veterinarians to determine the best treatment for your Foster Dog whenever needed!

it is crucial that your Foster Dog be given lots of opportunities to be able to do 'normal dog things' like sniffing, digging, running, jumping, shredding (boxes, paper, toys, etc.), rolling in the dirt/grass, laying out in the sun enjoying the fresh air, etc. 

We will provide a complete list of your specific Foster Dog's preferences as well as guidance on how to best provide these opportunities! We can also help you learn how to redirect your dog to a better option if they are being destructive or hyperactive. When this happens, it is typically because one of their instinctive needs isn't being met.

• Example: They are chewing up shoes -- this is a need to shred/chew -- Solution: provide boxes to shred or a long-lasting chew instead. Also supervise around shoes and give the "Leave It" cue as needed and reward with a treat whenever they "Leave It"

You will help them get settled into a new routine, feel comfortable and safe, and help them gain confidence by having new experiences while living in a home environment with you. Once they are settled in, then we can begin training sessions--this is not something we rush into within hours, days, or weeks of them being in your home. 

Typically, we can begin training sessions about 3-4 weeks after the Foster Dog has gotten comfortable with you and their living environment. In some cases, we may begin sooner to ensure you are confident in dog handling and proper safety measures are taken.

In most cases, it will be our Long-Term Foster Parents who help with training their Foster Dog. We have a Foster Prep Course that includes educational content from our approved and qualified certified virtual dog trainers, as well as on-demand support from the rescue Founder!

We do not support any type of training methods that focus on 'correcting' or disciplining the dog, don't use prong or e-collars, nor do we support a dog being trained by a trainer (such as at 'board and train' facilities). 

And we don't call what we teach our dogs 'commands' -- they are called "cues"! This is an essential mindset shift any foster applicant must be willing to embrace, because the goal is not to control or command the dog. The goal is to work together as a team with open communication between you and the Foster Dog! This also means the goal is not obedience, but relationship-building.

MOST IMPORTANT! Dog Training is for YOU, not the dog. YOU are the one who is being trained on how to read dog body language and how to interact with, teach, and work together with your Foster Dog! The results are dependent on you, not the dog. And we're here to support you every step of the way!

Specific Behaviors/Types of Training We Focus On (this is not a complete list):

• Learning How to Read Dog Body Language
• Safety Procedures: Precautions to take, skillsets to have, best practices in everyday scenarios, handling a strong dog, etc.
• How to Set Your Home Up for Success!
• Guidance for Multi-Dog Households and the "Separate and Rotate" Process
• Relaxation Training: "The art of doing nothing"
• Education on Resource Guarding & Best Practices
• Basic Cues: Sit, Paw, Down, Place, Leave It
• Advanced Cues: Circle, Around (an object), Catching Snacks, Under, Paws Up (jump up), All-4-on-the-Floor, etc.
• Types of Tools: What we use and what we don't!
• Walking Cues: Directions, Stop/Stay, 'Fix Your Toes' (untangling the leash), etc. (we don't teach heel or walking in a straight, boring line!)
• Cooperative Care (Hygiene): This is consent-based care! Slow Exposure to Nail Trimming/Filing, Ear Cleaning, Baths, Teeth Cleaning, etc. and Safety
• Reactivity Strategies/Games: "Find It", U-Turn, Safe Sit/Stay/Down, Magnet Hand, etc.
• Handler Reactivity Skillsets: Green-Yellow-Red Zones, Scanning the Area, Emergency Exits, Blocking the View, U-Turn Guidance, etc.
• How to Select Ideal Outdoor Environments for your Reactive Dog