Fostering Large Dogs

Our staff and volunteers are experts at TLC for the pets in our care. Every day they're here with enrichment, social time, walks, playtime, and lots of love. We're proud of the high-quality care we can provide pets while they're staying with us! But a shelter simply can't compare to the level of support and comfort pets receive in a home and that's why we have foster volunteers who open their hearts and homes to pets until they can be adopted.

The majority of HSSW pets who enter foster are kittens and puppies. Fostering keeps the youngest and most vulnerable members of our population out of the shelter, reducing their exposure to common viruses (a.k.a. dog and cat colds). This not only helps them stay healthy, it ensures they're receiving critical socialization and prepares them to find a new, loving home. But fostering isn't just for puppies and kittens, and increasingly another segment of our population is in need of the special support that only a foster home can provide: large dogs. 

Why Foster Large Dogs?

At HSSW and shelters around the country, more large dogs are arriving in need of care. And while many of these dogs love their long walks, playgroups, and off-campus hikes and adventures with our volunteers, they often stay in the shelter longer and sometimes need a level of care that just isn't practical (or even possible) in a shelter environment. What these dogs really want and need is a home where they can look out the window, sleep on the couch, sniff around the backyard, and probably bark at the mail carrier. They want, need, and deserve a home where they can "just be a dog."

Some dogs need foster placement because they are active and playful, while others can be shy and withdrawn in the shelter and placing them in foster gives them the space and time they need to feel comfortable and settle in at their own pace.

The Benefits of Fostering Large Dogs

Whether they're in foster until they're adopted or for shorter periods of time, foster placement for large dogs has many benefits. 

Provide decompression time
Time to decompress is critical for all animals. Shelters are often loud, busy places loaded with distractions. In foster, dogs who don't do well in the shelter can take a deep breath, get their zoomies out, and decompress. When they're in a stressful environment like a shelter, they have limited opportunities to take a mental break. It's challenging to provide a space where they can truly be themselves.

Whether their placement is a long term foster until they're adopted, or a temporary break for a few days or weeks, time out of the shelter gives dogs much needed time to relax.

Let their Personality Shine
When given the space and environment they need to thrive, we can learn more about the dog and what they need in their new home. When they're in a home, their foster is able to help us determine the dog's needs, preferences, and their personality starts to shine! When we know more about who a dog is and what they need, we can help them find a home that's best suited to their unique needs. 

Help two dogs at once
When a dog is placed in foster, it benefits more than just that dog. Of course, the foster family gets the warm and fuzzy feeling knowing they're helping out a pet in need, but placing a dog in foster means there's more space at the shelter for other pets in need. So when one dog finds foster, another dog finds lifesaving care and support at HSSW. 

Foster FAQ

After reading all of this, you might be interested in welcoming a foster dog into your home. We hope so! And while every foster and pet are unique, here are some FAQs about the foster experience. 

Do you offer training on how to care for my foster?
Absolutely. All of our foster volunteers go through training so they're prepared to welcome a new pet into their home. A member of our team is always available to help, and we also have foster mentors to assist along the way. Dogs will often have a behavior enrichment plan that will help you understand their needs. This helps you know more about your foster and what they need to be successful in the home.

Is there a set time commitment to foster? 
The length of the foster placement depends on the dog. Most dogs do best in foster when they have a few days to decompress and then a few more days or weeks to settle into their routine and start to show their personality. We love it when a family can foster until a dog is adopted, but for some dogs even a short-term foster can be a beneficial break from the shelter. We will match you with a foster assignment that works with your schedule, availability and interests.

What happens if I go out of town?
Our foster team is here to support you. If you have to travel, our team will help find alternative foster placement or provide space for them at the shelter while you're away. We are here to support you so you can enjoy your time away.

Is it hard to say goodbye when your foster is adopted?
We're not going to sugarcoat it... yep. It is. Saying goodbye to a foster is an emotional experience. Fosters need the ability to say goodbye, but when the time comes, our foster team will help you through it. Please remember that fostering is a temporary situation and saying goodbye to a foster pet enables you to help another in need. A great foster parent can save many lives by socializing and rehabilitating pets who need a little extra time and care.

Can I foster if I have other dogs or cats? 
Yes! Having another friendly dogs in the foster home can often be a big help for shy and nervous dogs. And for active dogs, a playmate can be an excellent way to burn off energy. As always, safety is our top priority - your foster dog will need to meet other resident dogs before coming to your home, just to make sure everyone gets along.

Can my family help?
Absolutely. Fostering is a family affair. If there are kids in the foster home, it's important they're able to help provide an environment that meets the needs for the foster pet, and our team is here to help.

If you're ready to join us as a foster and want to learn more, head to hssw.org/foster to get started. 

Other Ways to Help

If fostering isn't right for you, consider other ways you can make a difference.

Volunteer
Join us as a volunteer to make a hands-on difference for pets at the shelter. Shifts are flexible and opportunities are available every day. Learn more.

Donate
Your financial support makes our work possible, helping us provide shelter, lifesaving medical care, a second chance for a happy home, and more. Make a gift.

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