Tips and Policies for Fostering
Being a foster with Peppermint Pig Animal Rescue is a rewarding experience as you are helping us save another dog’s life! We can only rescue as many dogs we have foster homes for so we are always looking for new fosters. We provide you with all of the supplies and needed vet care—you provide the dog with love, companionship, and guidance.
Please keep the following things in mind to help you and your family decide if you are willing to take on this wonderful commitment:
What We Do:
- All necessary supplies (leashes, bowls, bedding, food, flea/heartworm medication, etc.) are provided, though some fosters choose to use their own supplies/food as a further donation to the rescue. Please check with one of our Rescue and Adoptions Coordinators before changing their food or using your own medications/preventatives.
- Foster dogs are provided with medical care through our veterinary partners.
- Fosters are encouraged to tell us which types of dogs they are most interested in fostering; some request certain genders, sizes, or ages, while others request general breeds. Because there are so many dogs needing our help, we are often able to accommodate fosters’ preferences.
- If a foster dog is not working out, we need up to 72 hours to find another foster for the dog. Please stay in close contact with our Rescue and Adoptions Coordinators, Sarah, Jim, and Melissa (contact information will be provided to you once you become an active foster for PPAR).
What Fosters Do:
- Foster dogs are not “perfect”—they need care, patience, and affection—many require socialization and some basic training. Most often, dogs coming out of shelters are frightened and shy. Watching them come out of their shells is one of the best parts of fostering!
- Foster dogs must be leashed at all times, even in dog parks, until they have bonded and you are familiar with their personalities and social skills.
- Foster dogs must always wear their Peppermint Pig Animal Rescue identification tags, to improve the likelihood of their safe return should they escape.
- As a foster, if the rescue dog gets lost in your care, please help us find the dog by notifying us immediately, posting flyers, and posting on Facebook and other social media platforms.
- We rely on our fosters for pictures and bios for our available dogs’ online listings. Your wonderful information/updates will help the dog(s) find their loving homes faster. Please keep in close contact with our Rescue and Adoptions Coordinators to provide this information. If you are a foster and you are on Facebook, please join our PPAR Fosters Facebook group for easier communication.
- Fosters must be available drop off/pick up their foster dogs so we can to facilitate “meet and greets” with potential adopters on Saturdays at Peppermint Pig Thrift and Gift, 8454 Beechmont Ave., during our adoption events held between 1pm and 4pm. We will always take your schedule into consideration prior to scheduling a meet with a potential adoptive family.
Fosters may choose to be involved in the adoption process, and sometimes keep in touch with adopters who may provide occasional updates on the dogs. This is another fabulous perk of fostering for PPAR; fosters are able to meet the dogs’ forever families and offer their input! We also provide a PPAR Alumni group on Facebook for our fosters to join and interact with adoptive families in the group! All adopters are encouraged to join the group at the time of adoption.
Fostering for Peppermint Pig Animal Rescue:
Need Supplies?
- Please remind us if we need to bring dog food along with your dog.
- Let us know if you need a crate, bed, bowls, a leash, toys, etc.
- Should your foster need a harness and a second leash to walk safely, do not hesitate to ask.
- When your dog is adopted, please return the re-usable supplies to PPAR. If they are still in good shape we’ll use them for the next foster dog!
Safety First!
- When you get your dog, check the dog’s collar for a snug fit, confirm the collar has an ID Tag, and that the leash is in good condition, (i.e. no fraying).
- Ask if your foster dog takes medications, and if so be sure you receive the meds and understand the dosage requirements.
- Please don’t take your foster dog “off leash” as they may not come when called.
- SECURE YOUR FENCE. Little dogs can get through the smallest places and become lost, please don’t let this happen to you.
- DO NOT let your foster off leash even in your yard for at least three to five days. They aren’t connected to you and may run away.
Get To Know Your Foster Dog.
- Find out all you can about the dog’s history from the person delivering your foster, and ask for any paperwork you may need.
- Put down water for your foster.
- A blanket in a box or crate makes a great dog bed.
- Offer appropriate toys to puppies who are teething or to toy-driven dogs.
- Unless your foster is filthy, wait to give a bath until you know each other better.
- Do not give a bath if a dog has been spayed or neutered recently.
- Let the foster relax…she/he has had a very stressful day.
Help Your Dog Get Adopted!
- Rescue dogs are not always perfect.
- Help your foster dog remember social graces so they can find a home quicker.
- Regular walks and interactions with other dogs help with socialization.
- Ask for advice on any physical, social or behavioral issues.
Help Us Keep Your Dog’s Profile Up to Date.
- Take some cute pictures of your foster and text, email, or post them to our PPAR Fosters group. Send us a write up of their personality description.
- Check our website to see that your foster dog’s photo & information has been posted and that its information correct and up-to-date.
- Send us updates whenever you like!
If Your Dog Is Sick.
- Should your foster dog become ill or is symptomatic, please contact our Rescue and Adoptions Coordinators immediately. Sarah, Jim, and Melissa are always available to assist with vet information, and all contact information and vet information is posted in our PPAR Fosters group for you.
- PPAR will provide all medical care for your foster.
- PPAR foster dogs must see PPAR approved vets.
What to do if a foster dog escapes.
- Although all PPAR dogs are microchipped upon intake, a collar and ID tag is your foster’s BEST chance of being found and returned if your dog gets lost.
- The number one rule is to make sure the collar is secure and has its ID tag attached at all times, and please never take your foster dog “off leash”.
- When looking for a lost dog take a leash and special treats or a favorite toy.
- If you have another dog that is its buddy, consider taking the buddy with you.
- Feed your dog the treats if you get close to a skittish loose dog…dogs can’t stand not getting their fair share of treats!
- Post a “lost dog” ad on Facebook and other social media platforms, and contact local shelters. Our Rescue and Adoption Coordinators will assist with these posts and contacting shelters.
Not the right dog?
- Tell our Rescue and Adoption Coordinators ASAP if a foster dog is not working out in your home.
- Because we are an all-volunteer organization, please give us a few days to find another foster home.
When someone wants to adopt your dog!
- Know in advance what the adoption fee is for your foster dog – our Rescue and Adoption Coordinators can tell you, or go to our website and read their bio.
- Always direct interested adopters to our website to read our policies before applying to adopt.
- Always let interested parties know that the adoption process is not managed by you, as the foster, and they must meet specified requirements and complete our adoption process to adopt a PPAR dog.
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