To be a foster parent, you have to be able to take a dog into your home and work with it on basic skills (or take a shy but very well behaved one, a depressed dog, etc.) as well as transport the dog to our pet adoptions weekly. Fosters are also responsible for: making sure the animal is properly fed and gets enough to drink, giving it loves of love and socialization, and keeping it indoors. We provide crate, food, and whatever previous knowledge of the animal we may have. We usually have a pretty good indication of which dogs are good with kids/cats/other dogs, and would be able to help you make a nice match. It is helping save an animal, and the sense of accomplishment you feel is rewarding. Please come to a pet adoption, meet us, and check out the dogs and puppies. We are ALWAYS in need of puppy foster homes.

Thinking about fostering a dog? Take a moment to look over the information below to see if fostering a Homeward Bound animal will fit your lifestyle. Choosing to be a foster parent is a serious undertaking and does carry a lot of responsibilities. Fostering will change your routine, as well as for your pets. A majority of people find it very rewarding though and worth the change in lifestyle. You'll feel good about what you are doing, because by fostering you are helping us to save an animal from being euthanized. You'll also receive unconditional love by your foster animal. So, if you want to experience the love of an animal and the satisfaction of saving a life (without the financial commitment) then fostering a Homeward Bound animal is the perfect thing to do!

Listed below are common questions people ask about becoming a foster parent/family:

Q: What are the basic responsibilities of a foster home?
A: A foster companion will care for the dog as they would their pet, providing a safe secure stable environment, food, companionship, basic training and exercise, and supplying generous amounts of patience and love. Some dogs require special care, such as post medical attention, increasing weight or strength, socializing, building trust, exercise, and fun. Others may need you to help reinforce manners, working with problem areas (leash manners, housetraining, barking, etc.), and be taught basic obedience (sit, down, off, etc). The dog CANNOT be left outside while family members are at work or are not present in the home (please go to our Can a Homeward Bound Dog or Cat Live Outdoors? FAQ page to read more about our indoor-only policy). Dogs may not be off-leash unless in the house or a secure fenced yard with the foster parent present. You are expected to bring the dog to every adoption no later than 11am. These are held every Saturday from 11:30-4 (to see when/where these adoptions will be held, go to Adoption Dates/Locations).

Q: What if I can't make all of the adoption events?
A: Sorry, we need the dogs to be there at pet adoptions. We do not want the dog languishing in foster care due to lack of exposure at adoption events. We understand that situations arise in which you can't attend every adoption and/or drop the dog off but we need to insist that dog cannot miss more than one adoption a month. If need be you can simply drop the dog off at the adoptions rather than stay and answer questions on him/her, but not many people choose to do that since they'd like to know what type of person is adopting their foster dog. Please let us know by Wednesday (or earlier) if you are not planning on attending or dropping the dog off at the event so we can post (I won't be coming to the adoption on Saturday, sorry!). Otherwise, people will show up to the adoption event expecting to see the dog and will get upset if s/he is not there. Failure to come to an adoption unless previously agreed upon results in the dog considered adopted by the foster home, and the foster form serves as a contract. The check will be cashed. We need to be kept informed during the week if the foster feels they wish to keep them.

Q: How long will the animal be with me?
A: The fostering period can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks to several months. It depends on the breed, gender, age, and health of the animal, as well as the time of year. Younger or small breed animals tend to be adopted more quickly. The more "work" a foster home puts into the animal, the quicker the dogs get adopted because they are easier to place when they've been taught obedience and good manners. The foster homes who let their foster animal get away with undesirable behavior (jumping up on people, counter surfing, etc.) tend to have the animals for a longer time.

If at anytime you feel you can no longer foster an animal, we always take them back into our program. However, you must commit to foster the animal for one-week minimum. When you decide to foster, you must be willing to make the commitment wholeheartedly and with no foreseeable interruptions until the animal finds a new home. If there is an emergency we of course would find a new foster home but please understand that moving an animal from home to home is traumatizing, scary, and confusing ordeal for him/her. What these animals need is stability. Know in advance that when you bring a foster animal home, your lifestyle and daily routine will change - sometimes dramatically or sometimes only a little bit. If you have other pets, expect some conflict at first because they need to establish their order in the pack (especially for dogs).

What we need from a foster companion is someone who will be able to take care of the animal until s/he finds a home, no matter how long it takes. As a foster, once you take an animal into your home we expect that you will work through any problems that arise unless they are severe. Should such a situation arise, you must immediately contact the director of Homeward Bound and try to give her 48 hours to find new foster home for the animal. Remember, since we do not have a kennel it is very unlikely that the director of HB can remove an animal from your home immediately. If you have a set time period that you can foster, please let us know in advance so we can arrange for another foster home if the animal has not been adopted. By signing our foster contract, you agree not to sell, dump, trade, or dispose of the animal in any way (including bringing him/her to another rescue, shelter, or humane society).

Q: What if I want to go on a vacation while I am fostering?
A: Please give us at least 2-3 weeks ahead of time if you are going on vacation so we can make arrangements to find another foster home for the dog. If you know you'll be going on a vacation in the near future, it would be best to wait to foster until you return. It is so, so hard on the dogs to get bounced around from foster to foster. Most dogs have a really hard time and get depressed if they get bounced around a lot. In their eyes, it must seem like they are getting abandoned time and time again. If you have a friend who would be willing to care for your foster dog while you are on vacation that is fine too, as long as s/he brings the dogs to pet adoptions. We would need to know that person's contact information (email address is preferable) so we can contact that person if we have any questions about the dog.

Q: I am interested in fostering but I have to work during the week. Is that OK if the dog is alone?
A: Yes. Most of our foster parents have full-time jobs and aren't home for several hours a day. As long as the animal is kept safely indoors, it should be fine. We recommend all fosters crate their dogs or confine them to a room when they are not at home and we encourage you to do the same. If you are going to be gone for long periods of time, pay close attention to how much food/water the animal intakes before you leave in the morning. If a dog drinks a great deal of water in the morning, s/he will have to go potty afterwards. The same goes with food.

Q: Do I have to crate the animal when I'm not at home?
A: No; however, we strongly encourage you to crate the animal to prevent potty accidents and chewing. Once the animal has been in your care for a while, it is up to you whether to continue to crate the dog when there is no supervision. Homeward Bound will not be responsible for any damage caused by a foster dog who is not crated or confined to a room, whether damage is to personal property or any other animal. If damage occurs, it will be assumed the dog was out of the crate and not adequately supervised.

Q: Can I still foster if I have other pets?
A: Yes, as long as your animals are current on their shots, neutered/spayed, and are not aggressive towards other animals. We strongly recommend that your own dog(s) be given a bordatella vaccine as a precaution against kennel cough (which is extremely common in rescue and is the equivalent of a bad human cold). Your dog(s) should be vaccinated at least a week prior to fostering. The reason we do not allow people to foster if they have intact pets is because the chance of fights occurring significantly increases.

Following the advice found on www.hswaynepets.org/health/dogs /introducing.htm and our What Should I Expect When I Bring My New Dog/Puppy Home? page (under ntroducing Your New Dog to Other Pets) is recommended when introducing your foster dog to your other pets (particularly other dogs). Know that there will probably be conflict at first between the animals. After all, why wouldn't there be? Your pets will be jealous for a while, the dogs may have a squabble, and the cats will hide and hiss for awhile - this is common. After this initial transition period, your other pets will be thrilled to have a new buddy. Dogs that normally get along with other pets have to test the boundaries. It is up to you to provide consistent, firm boundaries. As the foster dog begins to feel more confident in your home, s/he may change his/her behavior towards resident pets. Crating the foster dog is a good idea when you are not home, as it is never wise to leave new dogs alone together without supervision. We encourage you to please feed the dogs separately (in different rooms or crates), even if they get along very well, because food is one of the most common things dogs fight about. Watch for signs of jealousy over other "high-valued" items like treats, toys, or bones as well. Chances are very good that there won't be any problems between the dogs but it is better to be safe than sorry!

www.aspca.org/site/PageServer? pagename=pets_introducingdog www.sspca.org/Dogs_IntroducingDogs.html and www.factmonster.com/petmeet.html have useful information regarding the best ways to introduce a new dog to other pets (especially cats).

Q: What are the basic responsibilities of a foster home?
A: If you'd like to find out more information about a dog, feel free to send an email. We will respond to your messages as soon as possible but please remember that we are volunteers and also have jobs, school, and families as well. We can usually respond to messages in one day but sometimes it takes us up to 3 days. If you don't hear back from us in 3 days, please send us another email. We aren't able to make/return phone calls.

Q: Can I still foster if I have children?
A: Yes! However, you must make sure your children know the "do's and don'ts" around dogs. We do not always know the temperament of the animal we take in. We've been doing rescue long enough though where we can generally spot which animals will be good with kids and which ones will not be. However, we can't guarantee anything, especially when it comes to small breeds (small breed dogs rarely enjoy being around young kids). Please understand that if your child hurts or scares the dog, it may bite. It is your responsibility to make sure this does not happen and HB is in no way liable for any injuries that may occur. The following links will provide information on what kids (and parents) need to know: "How to Keep Children Bite-Free From Dogs" www.petplace.com/article-printer- friendly.aspx?id=2144, "Charlie's Dog Safety Tips for Kids" www.dogsafety.govt.nz/ dogsafety.nsf/wpg_URL/ Kids-Dog-Safety-Tips-for- Kids-Index?OpenDocument, and "Why Dogs Bite: A Guideline For Children" www.idahohumanesociety.com/caretrain/dogbite.html.

Q: I'm afraid that if I foster an animal, I'll fall in love with it and it will be too painful to give it up. What do fosters families' do when this happens?
A: It is tough when one of them finds a permanent home and you've fallen in love with him/her; however, you'll feel joy in sending a pet to a wonderful new family.

Q: What if I decide that I want to adopt my foster animal - can I adopt him/her?
A: Yes, if your home is the best home for the dog and the director of Homeward Bound approves of the adoption. You'll need to fill out and sign our adoption contracts and pay the adoption fee. Please let us know as early as possible if you are planning on adopting the animal so that we can remove him/her from the site and notify people who had emailed about the animal. We'll be sad to lose a foster home but we'll be happy for the animal. Lots of first-time foster families wind up adopting their foster animal, which is why we are constantly on the search for more foster families!

Q: Do I get to choose which animal I foster?
A: Yes and we will also try to match the foster animal to the home it will be going to. If you require a particular size, energy level, or if you need an animal who is good with children or other pets, we do our best to meet your criteria. If you have a particular skill or strength we will try to find an animal that compliments that area. For instance, some folks enjoy teaching obedience and they choose to foster the animals who have had no training. Others have a wonderful ability to nurture shy or sad dogs with lots of hugs and TLC.

Q: Will I have to pay for veterinary bills for my foster animal?
A: No - Homeward Bound will pay the medical bills for the foster dog when s/he is brought to Becker Vet (1-763-261-5595, located in Becker, MN) - however, you MUST get prior approval from the director of Homeward Bound first. Otherwise, you are responsible for that cost.

Q: Will I have to pay for food/supplies for my foster animal?
A: No, Homeward Bound provides food for all of our foster dogs. We can also supply with bones, toys (if we have any at the time), a crate, bowls, a brush, a leash, and collar. Sometimes we can also provide you with dog shampoo (it depends upon what people have donated).

Q: What if I find someone who wants to adopt the animal I am fostering?
A: The dog may only be adopted out to a family/person that is approved by a core Homeward Bound core volunteer. The potential adopter will need to come to one of our pet adoptions and speak directly with us. If they are approved, they will need to fill out and sign our adoption contracts.

Q: Can I foster if I am younger than 18 years of age?
A: If you are under 18 years of age, you must have a parent or legal guardian complete the foster application for you. Your parent(s) or guardian must be at the adoption and speak to Cheryl Adams, the director of Homeward Bound.

Q: Can I foster if I live in a small house or an apartment?
A: Yes, provided that they receive enough daily exercise. Sedentary dogs only require only 1 walk a day, while others may need 2 or 3 walks a day. Bringing the dog to an off-leash dog park at least once a week would be ideal. The size of a dog does not determine how much daily exercise it needs but breed(s) does play a factor (but even then it varies from dog to dog). If you rent, you'll need to have your landlord's approval before you bring a dog home. You also need to find out if they have any breed bans.

Q: Are all of the dogs housetrained?
A: No. Some have lived outdoors before they were rescued while others had owners who did not properly housetrain them. We've found the easiest and most effective way to housetrain a dog is through use of a consistent potty schedule (this is crucial, especially since many dogs don't know how to let you know when they need to eliminate), monitoring how much food/water they consume before one leaves for work (obviously if your foster dog drinks a lot of water right before you leave for work, s/he will have to potty shortly thereafter - the same applies to food), crating them when no one is home, and properly cleaning up their accidents with a cleaner with an enzyme remover like Nature's Miracle in the house every time s/he has pottied. Until you do, the dog will be able to smell the soiled and decide to go there again. Soak up any excess poop/pee in a paper towel and then completely saturate the spot with Nature's Miracle & let it air dry. Other things to consider include the fact that some dogs won't potty outside if you are watching them or if they are on a leash. If they are shy about going potty in front of you, you still need to remain outside with them (especially if you don't have a fenced-yard). If you "look busy" doing something else (like pulling weeds), they'll potty. Remember to praise the pooch every time s/he goes potty outside! The following web sites provide useful tips on housetraining: "Re-Housetraining Your Adult Dog" www.paws.org/cas/resources/fact_ sheets_dogs/rehousetraining.php, "House Training Made Easy" www.diamondsintheruff.com /housetrain.html and and "Housebreaking: An Essential Guide" www.bdnhumanesociety.com /housebreaking.htm. Crate Training information can be found at www.tricountyhumane.org/dog_ behavior_cratetraining.asp and www.ddfl.org/behavior/crate-train.pdf (PDF).

Q: Whom can I contact if I have questions?
A: Yes, email Tasha at tashabing19@hotmail.com with questions.

Q: Is their a Foster Care Application?
A: Yes, we do have a foster application that will need to be filled out. If you email Tasha at tashabing19@hotmail.com she can send it to you.

The dogs have been in many different environments recently, including a shelter/pound, a vet visit, and at least one foster home already. Please keep this in mind, as the dog will almost certainly show some signs of stress. Typical signs are not eating right away, showing fear with new people (seen mostly with men), being timid walking through doorways, and excessive sleeping. Other signs may be the opposite...excess energy and nervous pacing. Physical symptoms include runny stools, vomiting of water, and lethargy. Many animals "shut down" when facing a new situation for 24-48 hours. Please also know that while the pet has been seen by a vet, they may have diarrhea and/or kennel cough, a hairball-sounding hacking cough that sounds much worse than it is. If you have any questions about the health of the dog while in your care, please call Becker Vet at 1-763-261-5595 or email any of us on our web site. If you choose to bring the dog to a vet for care without getting prior approval from us, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for that cost. In an emergency situation Becker Vet will accept and treat the dog 24 hours a day, but please try to get an OK from us first.

• Having the dog to all pet adoptions by 11:00. You do not have to stay (unless you wish, we can always use help walking dogs!) but can return to pick the dog up at 4:00 otherwise.
• Housing and caring for the dog in an appropriate manner...reinforcing manners, working with problem areas (leash manners, housetraining, etc.), feeding appropriately, and housing indoors.
• There is a foster form that needs to be filled out as well as leaving a check for the adoption fee for the dog. This is NOT cashed unless we never see the dog again. We consider it a security deposit. If the dog does not work out during the foster period it needs to be returned to Homeward Bound.
• If you chose to adopt the dog please try to let us know by early Friday morning so we can let other interested parties know before the adoption.
• You commit to the foster arrangement for a week minimum. Ideally you would care for the dog until it finds it's home to eliminate further transitions, but a one-week minimum is necessary.