Fostering Dogs & Puppies
Be a foster HERO
Becoming a foster is a rewarding way to make a difference in the lives of rescue dogs. By opening your home and heart, you’ll provide the love and care they need until they find their forever family.
Get Started
Fill out our foster application to begin the process. Our team will review your application and reach out to discuss next steps, including a foster orientation
Approval and Guidelines
Once approved, you’ll receive our Foster Handbook, Agreement, and Guidelines. You’ll also be added to our foster database to stay connected
Welcome Your Foster Dog
After selecting a dog to foster with our team, it’s time to welcome them into your home. We’ll support you every step of the way as you introduce your new dog to their temporary home
Our Foster Program
When you foster, you’re not just welcoming a dog into your home; you’re also creating space for another dog in need. It’s an incredibly impactful and rewarding way to make a difference. According to feedback from our current fosters, the most fulfilling aspect is knowing that you’ve played a vital role in saving a life.
- We cover all essential costs, making it completely free for you
- Fostering increases a dog’s chances of finding their forever home
- It’s flexible and temporary, perfect for those who aren’t ready to adopt permanently!
FAQ
- Providing a temporary home for a dog until they find their forever family
- Attending to their basic, medical, and behavioral needs
- Transporting the dog to and from vet appointments
- Facilitating meetings with potential adopters either by bringing the dog to viewing appointments or allowing them to visit your home
- Are you someone who truly loves and understands dogs, recognizing that rescued pups require extra care to settle into a new environment? If so, fostering could be a perfect fit for you
- Are you ready to provide basic training, such as house-training, if necessary? Your patience and dedication can make a world of difference for a dog in need
- We’re seeking individuals who are committed, patient, and eager to learn, willing to follow our guidelines to ensure the best care for our canine companions
- Living near one of our veterinary partners or having easy access to transport to get to one of our veterinarian partners is crucial, especially considering the dog’s medical needs
And remember, for legal reasons, foster caregivers need to be 18 years of age or older
Absolutely! As long as you are committed to making sure your foster dog gets a break throughout the work day to get some exercise and food/water, we are happy to work with fosters who have a variety of lifestyles and careers.
Yes! We will do our best to match you with a pup that we think may do well in an apartment setting. Please review your rental agreements prior to fostering your first foster dog to familiarize yourself with any pet policies and verify whether there are any breed restrictions. We will ask for a copy or your rental agrement or a written confirmation of your landlord.
Yes, you can still foster with a resident dog as long as your dog is up to date on vaccines and is spayed/neutered. You won’t be able to meet your foster dog in advance but we will always make a conscious effort to match you with a foster that we feel both you and your dog could do well with. Our team will help you take all necessary steps to ensure you and the dogs stay safe and comfortable
Yes, absolutely! Many foster successfully foster dogs while also having cats or other small animals in their homes. However, it’s essential to consider the temperament and behavior of both the foster dog and your existing pets. We’ll work closely with you to ensure a smooth introduction process and provide guidance on managing interactions between your foster dog and other animals. Our goal is to create a safe and harmonious environment for all pets involved.
Of course! Fostering can be a wonderful experience for families with children. It provides an opportunity for children to learn about empathy, responsibility, and compassion while also helping a dog in need.
However, it’s essential to consider the age and temperament of your children and the foster dog. We’ll work closely with you to ensure a safe and positive environment for everyone involved. Our team will provide guidance on introducing the foster dog to your children and establish boundaries to ensure the well-being of both the dog and your family.
This depends on the dog being fostered and the individual foster carer. It can be anything from one night to on-going palliative care. Our Team will try and match the dog with your requirements and lifestyle.
On average, dogs stay in foster care for about 2 months, but this timeframe can vary based on factors like age, breed, and size. If you have time constraints, such as being able to foster for only 2 weeks, please inform us in advance so we can make arrangements and find another foster home for the dog.
Approximately ten days into fostering, we request that the fosterer completes a Foster Dog Review. This form provides insights into the dog’s temperament and character, assisting us in finding a suitable permanent home for them.
We’re thrilled when our fosters form a special bond with their foster dogs. If you’re considering adoption you will still be required to go through our normal adoption process, which includes completing the Adoption Questionnaire and paying the relevant adoption fee.
However, please understand that sometimes the foster environment may not be the perfect forever home for the dog, and this is absolutely no offense to the foster caregiver.
We’ll equip you with the essentials for fostering:
- A crate or kennel for keeping dogs safe and aiding in house-training.
- Comfy bedding such as dog beds, blankets, or towels.
- Food, treats, bowls, collar, leash, and chew toys tailored to your dog’s size and age.
- Poop bags and potty training pads.
It’s true, sometimes we can’t predict everything! Shelter environments don’t allow for testing all scenarios, so it’s okay to embrace a bit of uncertainty before bringing your foster pup home. Rest assured, our team will support you with any questions and provide the necessary resources along the way.
By opening your home to a dog with extra behavior or medical needs, you are making a huge impact in their lives.These dogs tend to be overlooked in pounds so oftentimes we, as a rescue, are their only hope. We simply cannot rescue any special needs dogs without foster homes.
The requirements of fostering a dog with extra behavior or medical needs varies greatly from dog to dog. It can be anything from sessions with our trainers to help your pup on leash to administering meds and/or taking to vet appointments. You will always have the full support of our team!
Whilst we make every effort to match you with a suitable foster dog, there are cases where we may not have a dog to match your needs or lifestyle right away.
Our Team will suggest which dogs will suit your lifestyle and requirements and after you have been given the information and if possible have met them you can choose if you would like to help this dog.
Our dog selection process is based on which dogs NEED foster.
If you have travel plans while you are fostering a dog, please get in contact with the team so we can find a suitable temporary home for the dog while you are away.
We ask that our foster carers provide us with at least least four weeks notice if you are planning to be away for an extended period of time.
We currently partner with veterinarian clinics across South and North Dublin, Co Meath, Co Kildare, Co Galway, Co Roscommon, Co Wicklow, Co Offaly and Co Laois.
If you’re in a different county or have a preferred veterinarian you’d like us to contact, please reach out to us. Our team will gladly review your request and if your vet is able to work with the Charity will make the necessary arrangements.
Your Responsibilities as a Dog Foster
- Keeping your foster dog safe by securing your yard and home
Never take your foster dog off-lead in public places – EVER! - Always make sure your foster dog is wearing their collar with an ID tag
- Always alert us to any medical and behavior concerns you may have
Making sure your foster dog gets adequate daily exercise - Transportation to the vet for medical check-ups and to support adoption meet & greet
- Keep us up-to-date with photos and behavior feedback so we can promote your foster dog for adoption
Contact CDPA
Please contact Volunteer@cdpa.ie if you have any questions!