Fostering for TDL

Every day there are thousands and thousands of dogs needing homes. We have to make ours stand out, and we do that by providing all the details that we can. It is why we do not aspire to ever have a shelter, but to remain a network of fosters. Only fosters can provide intimate details on how a dog behaves in a home environment. Shelters do the best they can, but they are truly limited in this area.

We don’t have a lot of fosters. We wish we did, but we require quite a bit of them. We are not looking for people to simply house a dog. Nor are we even looking for people to rehabilitate a dog. We need them to communicate with us on an ongoing basis. They need to take photos, good ones! They need to send us updates on the dog so that we can post it.  We need to address any issues so the dog can be adopted. And they need to be able to let it go when the right family comes along.

We count ourselves blessed by the fosters that we have. And we welcome more. If you are interested in fostering with us, please let us know!

What we expect from our fosters:

Besides good photographs, video and regular updates, we require that our fosters crate-train our dogs to increase their success after adoption.  We require that they work on housebreaking, and provide us with the dog’s status with regard to housebreaking.  We also require a complete update with regard to temperament, for example, toy guarding, food aggression, leash walking, barking, jumping, and to share with us what the dog loves to do.

When we can identify a behavior problem, we coach our fosters and provide techniques to correct behaviors.  While we are not professional dog trainers, we do share all of the information about the dog while its been in our foster care.

We understand that every dog acts differently in different environments, the more details we have, the more we can do our job to create the perfect match.

First, please read Starting Your Dog Out Right!  Next, review Over-the-Counter Medications.  It is very important that you also review Our Adoption Process.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q – Where do I send my photos, videos or updates on my foster dogs?

A – All of the information about your foster dog should be emailed to your TDL representative.  Once the information is posted on the TDL Facebook Page, and the TDL Website, you can share those pages on your personal Facebook Page.  Do not post photos of your foster directly onto your Facebook Page, this confuses potential adopters.

 

Q – Who pays for the veterinary care, medicines, shots, spay/neuter?

A – TDL pays for the medical care of the dog.  Vet appointments are made by a TDL representative.  The treatment plan is reviewed between the vet and the TDL representative.  A foster should not take a dog to their own vet without TDL approval.  In case of an emergency, the foster should use their discretion, try to reach a TDL representative, however, if immediate medical attention is necessary, a foster should treat their foster dog like their own.  While emergency care is expensive, TDL will take all necessary measures to reimburse the foster in a timely fashion.

Note:  If you have to cancel an appointment, please contact the vet as soon as possible.  Animal Hospitals go out of their way to help and accommodate us in many ways.  Not providing them with a courtesy call that you have to cancel your foster dog’s vet appointment could result in a severed relationship with that vet.

 

Q – Who pays for the food, toys, crates, etc.?

A – While fostering is a volunteer position, if dog food is needed, TDL will provide food or reimburse dog food expenses via a receipt.  We suggest that new fosters scout websites like Craig’s list for used dog crates, toys, etc.  Regardless of the expense, if you expect to be reimbursed, have a receipt and it’s always wise to check with your TDL representative before accumulating expenses.  If you need leashes, collars, etc., your TDL representative may have some extras on hand.

Note:  If you spend your own money, make copies of all of your receipts and keep track of your mileage, i.e., trips to the vet and back.  If our out-0f-pocket receipts total over $250 in one year, today’s tax laws will help you write these expenses off!  You’ll need to provide TDL with a total, and TDL will write a letter that you will submit with your tax return.

 

Q – What if a neighbor, co-worker, family member or friend of mine wants to adopt my foster dog?

A – All inquiries about the dog should be directed to a TDL representative.  “Showing” the dog to someone who has not yet been approved is not recommended.  Our Adoption Process is designed specifically to prevent “impulse adoptions”.   We recommend that you share our Adoption Process before getting anyone’s hopes up!  Many times people are interested in a dog because of the way it looks, and that dog may not be a good fit for their environment.  Getting people’s hopes up, only to be told that the dog is not a good fit, is very discouraging to an adopter.  Today, the adoption process in rescue has become very complicated, labor intensive, and includes lengthy applications.  TDL tries to make the adoption experience simple and painless!  Ask your TDL representative for some of their business cards, give them to interested adopters, and encourage your potential adopter to contact your TDL representative to get started!

 

Q – Does anyone get preferential treatment fostering from TDL?

A – Only former adopters.  Because former adopters have already been processed and approved, they are more likely to be approved by TDL to adopt again.

 

Q – Who is responsible for finalizing the adoption of my foster dog?

A – Your TDL representative is responsible for qualifying and interviewing all potential adopters, setting up appointments, and finalizing an adoption.  If for any reason, a TDL representative is not present during a meet, you should contact them before proceeding with a formal adoption, and before executing an adoption contract.

 

Q – Who is responsible for doing a home visit for potential adopters?

A – Your TDL representative.

 

Q – What if I don’t think the potential adopters is a fit for my foster dog?

A – It is very important that you share information about your foster dog to your TDL representative.  While your foster dog may not be a fit for a specific adopter, another dog within TDL might be perfect.  Never discourage a potential adopter about your foster dog, especially if your dog is new to you.  Give your foster dog time to settle in before labeling him/her. Many times, behavioral issues can be corrected  with one phone call.

 

Q – What do I do if my foster dog is not fitting in with my family, my home, or my pack?

A – It is not uncommon that certain dogs need a specific environment.  Your home may not provide the environment that the dog needs.   Contact your TDL representative to discuss moving your foster dog to another foster.  Never take your foster dog to another home, or property without the permission of your TDL representative.

 

Q – What do I do if I want to keep the dog that I’m fostering?

A – This is what we humorously refer to as a Foster Failure!  Contact your TDL representative and discuss adoption options with them.  Fosters should decide if they want to adopt before anyone has a scheduled meet.  It is unfair to ask a potential adopter to make a u-turn when they are already on the way to meet their future dog.

 

Q – There are so many volunteers within TDL, who has the permission to pull, select fosters, vets, and approve adoptions?

 

A – Good Question!   To date, only Gisele Veilleux who is President and Founder of TDL and she is located in Central Florida.