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Foster Volunteer Information
Have you been wondering how you can help needy furbabies? Why not open your heart and home. Becoming a
foster parent is the single most important way to help. Without foster homes, SSTR cannot rescue the many
furbabies who need our help. At least twice a month, we are forced to turn down furbabies because there are no
foster homes available. We currently place about 20 - 25 dogs a year into new homes. This number could easily
double with additional foster homes. We have actually had to turn many babies away this year.
The principle behind fostering is to provide the dog with a home environment conducive to evaluating their health,
habits and behavior, and to offer the new owner more information about the dog.
Where do our dogs come from?
The majority of dogs come to us from shelters and animal control. These little precious dogs were dumped with no
regard to their well being. Some come from private owners as well. "No time" and “Children” are the biggest
reasons. Frequently they acquire the dog as an adorable puppy and are unprepared for the physical, psychological
and emotional needs of an adolescent furbaby. Other reasons include moving, divorce, or an allergy to the dog. A
small percentage of dogs are strays that are surrendered via Good Samaritans or local animal control shelters.
What does a foster home do?
As a foster parent, you will provide a safe, loving environment where the dog will be prepared for his new permanent
home. While in foster care, your furbaby will be brought up to date on all vaccinations, given a heartworm and fecal
test and all other medical treatment needed. You will work closely with SSTR volunteers to help us evaluate the dog
for any health or behavior issues and teach the dog how to be a polite member of the family.
Your responsibilities include feeding, exercising, socializing, daily grooming, reinforcing basic obedience
commands, and of course, providing love and security to a special furbaby, at an often difficult time in the dog’s life.
Rescue dogs can be very demanding of time and attention. Many of these dogs have never been given any love or
obedience -- in fact, more often than not, it is quite the opposite. As a foster parent, you’ll make recommendations to
help select the best adoptive family for your foster furbaby. (you know the dog best!)
How much time does it take and what is the cost involved?
The time you commit to fostering can be as little as a couple of hours a day to as much time as you would like to
spend with the dog. You do not need to be home all day in order to be a foster home. Many of our foster parents
work regular full-time jobs. Foster homes may sometimes handle vet visits for foster furbabies. Some furbabies
may have “special needs” and may require medications.
Finances should never prevent someone from wanting to become a foster home. SSTR will pay for all veterinary
visits, medicine and grooming cost. Most fosters home do provide food and treats for their foster babies.
How long does the dog stay in foster care?
Anywhere from two to four months is typical, but occasionally longer if behavioral or medical issues are present. We
may keep some up to 6 months OR longer.
Will I become attached to my foster dog?
The biggest reason people hesitate to foster is because they become attached to their foster dog. This undoubtedly
will happen. However, the real payoff is meeting the new family who’s ready to provide a permanent, loving home for
the do you’ve helped rescue. You’ll feel an overwhelming sense of satisfaction when you see your foster dog move
on to his new and better life. And, knowing you can now help another needy baby.
What process is involved in becoming a foster parent?
Our foster program involves the same screening and approval process as new adoptive parents.
• Application
• Interview
• Reference Check, including vet
• Home visit
• Foster Contract
• You get your foster baby
Are there any specific requirements? (The following are preferred)
Fenced yard - A fenced yard is preferred for safety and sanity. It is very hard to supervise more than one dog at a
time. Most foster homes have more than one dog, some even have 3 or 4, including their own. These little guys can
get loose and run off, so a fence is for their safety. Not to mention how frustrating it can get leashing up several
dogs and monitor their potty time and play time. This can become very overwhelming and can discourage any foster
parent. We want to make sure we have long term foster homes.
Computer/Email - Email is a good way to communicate in rescue. This will also allow you to follow the group growth
and the furbabies coming and going. There are several foster home groups you can join on yahoo and we have our
own group. This will help you know when we have a furbaby in need of fostering and is great for questions and
support. Sometimes rescue and fostering can become stressful and overwhelming, these groups are there to help
and do!
We ask that foster homes communicate with new parents on the dogs behavior and personality. Email is the safest,
most cost effective and most convenient way to communicate with new parents.
Prefer no small children – we can not guarantee the personality and behavior of our foster dogs. Some have been
very abused and neglected. And, many do not like children. A foster home can’t really pick and choose what dogs
they get, so it is safer not to have small children (under 10 yrs). This is for the protection of YOUR child and our
furbabies.
If you would like to volunteer, please submit a foster application TODAY!
foster parent is the single most important way to help. Without foster homes, SSTR cannot rescue the many
furbabies who need our help. At least twice a month, we are forced to turn down furbabies because there are no
foster homes available. We currently place about 20 - 25 dogs a year into new homes. This number could easily
double with additional foster homes. We have actually had to turn many babies away this year.
The principle behind fostering is to provide the dog with a home environment conducive to evaluating their health,
habits and behavior, and to offer the new owner more information about the dog.
Where do our dogs come from?
The majority of dogs come to us from shelters and animal control. These little precious dogs were dumped with no
regard to their well being. Some come from private owners as well. "No time" and “Children” are the biggest
reasons. Frequently they acquire the dog as an adorable puppy and are unprepared for the physical, psychological
and emotional needs of an adolescent furbaby. Other reasons include moving, divorce, or an allergy to the dog. A
small percentage of dogs are strays that are surrendered via Good Samaritans or local animal control shelters.
What does a foster home do?
As a foster parent, you will provide a safe, loving environment where the dog will be prepared for his new permanent
home. While in foster care, your furbaby will be brought up to date on all vaccinations, given a heartworm and fecal
test and all other medical treatment needed. You will work closely with SSTR volunteers to help us evaluate the dog
for any health or behavior issues and teach the dog how to be a polite member of the family.
Your responsibilities include feeding, exercising, socializing, daily grooming, reinforcing basic obedience
commands, and of course, providing love and security to a special furbaby, at an often difficult time in the dog’s life.
Rescue dogs can be very demanding of time and attention. Many of these dogs have never been given any love or
obedience -- in fact, more often than not, it is quite the opposite. As a foster parent, you’ll make recommendations to
help select the best adoptive family for your foster furbaby. (you know the dog best!)
How much time does it take and what is the cost involved?
The time you commit to fostering can be as little as a couple of hours a day to as much time as you would like to
spend with the dog. You do not need to be home all day in order to be a foster home. Many of our foster parents
work regular full-time jobs. Foster homes may sometimes handle vet visits for foster furbabies. Some furbabies
may have “special needs” and may require medications.
Finances should never prevent someone from wanting to become a foster home. SSTR will pay for all veterinary
visits, medicine and grooming cost. Most fosters home do provide food and treats for their foster babies.
How long does the dog stay in foster care?
Anywhere from two to four months is typical, but occasionally longer if behavioral or medical issues are present. We
may keep some up to 6 months OR longer.
Will I become attached to my foster dog?
The biggest reason people hesitate to foster is because they become attached to their foster dog. This undoubtedly
will happen. However, the real payoff is meeting the new family who’s ready to provide a permanent, loving home for
the do you’ve helped rescue. You’ll feel an overwhelming sense of satisfaction when you see your foster dog move
on to his new and better life. And, knowing you can now help another needy baby.
What process is involved in becoming a foster parent?
Our foster program involves the same screening and approval process as new adoptive parents.
• Application
• Interview
• Reference Check, including vet
• Home visit
• Foster Contract
• You get your foster baby
Are there any specific requirements? (The following are preferred)
Fenced yard - A fenced yard is preferred for safety and sanity. It is very hard to supervise more than one dog at a
time. Most foster homes have more than one dog, some even have 3 or 4, including their own. These little guys can
get loose and run off, so a fence is for their safety. Not to mention how frustrating it can get leashing up several
dogs and monitor their potty time and play time. This can become very overwhelming and can discourage any foster
parent. We want to make sure we have long term foster homes.
Computer/Email - Email is a good way to communicate in rescue. This will also allow you to follow the group growth
and the furbabies coming and going. There are several foster home groups you can join on yahoo and we have our
own group. This will help you know when we have a furbaby in need of fostering and is great for questions and
support. Sometimes rescue and fostering can become stressful and overwhelming, these groups are there to help
and do!
We ask that foster homes communicate with new parents on the dogs behavior and personality. Email is the safest,
most cost effective and most convenient way to communicate with new parents.
Prefer no small children – we can not guarantee the personality and behavior of our foster dogs. Some have been
very abused and neglected. And, many do not like children. A foster home can’t really pick and choose what dogs
they get, so it is safer not to have small children (under 10 yrs). This is for the protection of YOUR child and our
furbabies.
If you would like to volunteer, please submit a foster application TODAY!
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Shih Tzu & Toy Breed Rescue and Adoption SSTR is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit, ALL volunteer charity organization saving lives in Alabama and surrounding states. SSTR is dedicated to rescuing and rehoming of shih tuz and other toy breeds. |
