Foster homes are the most important part of rescue. Without these very kind foster homes we would not be able to help dogs in need. We are looking for special loving homes that will be able to provide an understanding and safe foster home for a German Shepherd Dog that has often had some unpleasant experienced in their past, i.e. neglect, abuse or abandonment.

Foster homes need to be able to care for and help these dogs become more socialized and members of the family. Fostering is a serious undertaking and GSDRNI very carefully screens foster applications to ensure they would provide a safe haven for our rescued dogs.

There are some important things to consider before applying to be a foster home for a German Shepherd Dog.

• Do you have other pets; will you be willing to divide your attention between them and the rescue dog?
  • A rescued dog will need love and attention, so be prepared to share the time you presently spend with your existing pets. Please think about this, and the time commitment. If your current pet is special needs or requires more exercise and care than most dogs, please give special consideration to this before you apply.
    
    
• If you do have other pets, will they be accepting of the rescued dog?
  • Some jealousy and "pack hierarchy" behavior is to be expected, of course. However, if you have cats, be aware that some German Shepherd Dogs are notorious cat chasers.
    
    
• Are you willing to accept a dog with perhaps some neurotic behavior?
  • Again, many rescued dogs have experienced emotional trauma, or never received adequate obedience training. Being a foster caretaker for a rescued dog requires extra patience and work!
    
    
• Are you willing to give up a dog, with which you have created a strong bond, to a new owner?
  • This is likely the most difficult aspect of being a foster caretaker, but it is inevitable. Of course, you can always permanently adopt the dog that you foster-and some foster caretakers have done just that! Although that does leave GSDRNI with one less foster home.
    
    
• We will give instruction on how to work with the dog and how to assist with integrating the dog into your home, and we will require you to follow our instruction. This is an important part of fostering for GSDRNI.

While being a foster caretaker for a German Shepherd Dog is a major responsibility, the rewards are far greater than the sacrifices. Knowing that you are saving the life of a beautiful, loving animal by providing a foster home for it is an incredible feeling!

GSDRNI will cover all food and any related veterinary costs for our foster homes. Some foster homes will sometimes pay for the food and vet costs and ask to consider it a donation. This, of course, is always appreciated, but not expected.

If you are interested in becoming a foster home for a German Shepherd Dog, please fill out our "Foster Home Application." Only serious applicants, please.

Don't forget that caring for a dog is not an easy job, and it will require some time, effort and lots of love and patience on your part, but the end result of seeing a wonderful dog that you nursed back to health, go to a new loving family is well worth any extra effort.

The Many Different Types of Foster Care

There are 5 different types of foster care. While all are greatly appreciated, some are much more important than others. All dogs are required to stay in foster care for at least 2 weeks before being able to go to a new home.

Regular Foster Care

This is the most needed of all the foster types. These are the foster homes that make a big difference in the foster system. Event though the other foster care situations are appreciated, we really don't like to bounce dogs from one home to the next very often. This is where the Regular Foster Homes come into play. They accept a dog on a permanent basis, usually until the dog is adopted. This allows us to open up room at a boarding kennel or our emergency foster, short-term fosters, or safe-houses for other German Shepherd Dogs in need of our help. Usually this type of foster care is where the dog will spend its 2 weeks before being made available for adoption. These foster homes can be considered real life savers!

Emergency Foster Care

This is when we feel that we must save a dog that is faced with death or needs other means of immediate assistance, but there are no other foster homes or kennel space open. We would then place a dog that has already been evaluated and made ready for adoption in the foster home.

Safe-House Foster Care

This foster care is similar to Emergency Foster Care. This foster care is when a dog cannot be placed in a kennel or regular foster home immediately, and the Safe-House keeps the dog until either is possible. Though this seems just like the emergency foster care, this foster home will take in the dog that is in need of rescue, instead of taking a dog available for adoption. All dogs going into safe-house foster will be evaluated physically and behaviorally before being placed. This home will be a big help in saving dogs and having a placefor them before they can be placed in a permanent regular foster home. The big difference between this foster care and the Emergency foster care is that this foster will not receive a dog that is ready for adoption, which may require a bit more patience with the dog.

Short-Term Foster Care

This foster care can be considered a "weekend retreat" or a "vacation home" for the dogs. These homes provide fostering when allowable for their schedule - during holidays, when other foster home go on vacation or need a place for their foster dog for a weekend or so. These foster homes take in a dog when they can devote all their time to the dog. Many people who decide to Short-Term foster do so because they do not feel ready to have a full-time foster dog or dog of their own, yet love to give their full attention to these dogs when they have some free time on the weekends or holidays. To be considered a Short-Term foster home, a dog must spend at least 2 consecutive overnights at the home.

Buddy Foster Care

This foster care is any time shorter than a Short-Term Foster. Usually people who are a Buddy Foster Home are those people with very limited time, but like to take a dog with them to go hiking or jogging, on a walk for charity, or other outings. This gives the Regular Foster Home a quick break, which is much appreciated especially if it is in a multiple dog household! The dog is returned to the regular foster home - or boarding kennel - that same day or the following morning.

Just a note to let you know…
For our foster homes' safety and the dogs' safety as well, we will not foster out any dog that has not been evaluated physically or behaviorally. All dogs that come into the rescue will go directly to a vet and will be evaluated behaviorally before being placed in any foster situation. Of course, all types of foster homes, may become Regular foster homes if the wish. The more stable an environment the dog has, the better dog it will become!