fostercarefaq's.htm

Lone Star Weimaraner Club

FOSTER CARE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

from

Weimaraner Rescue of North Texas, Inc.

Q: WHO HANDLES APPLICATIONS AND HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO CAN ADOPT A DOG?

A: Adoption coordinators interview and screen all applicants, including checking their vet references. They then guide them in what age/sex/personality of dog would best fit their family. At that point, the adoption coordinator will give the adoptive families the phone numbers of the foster parents for 2 or 3 dogs that might be a good fit.

Q: HOW DO APPLICANTS GET TO SEE THE DOGS? CAN THEY TAKE THE DOG HOME IF THEY LIKE HIM/HER?

A: Only screened applicants will have your phone number. This means that they're approved to see dogs, but doesn't necessarily mean that they're approved to have one. You make an appointment with them, at YOUR convenience, to show the dog to them in your home. Or you may choose to meet them at a neutral location, such as a park. The whole family is to come, if possible, and they should bring their existing dog (again, if possible) to make sure that they will get along with the rescue dog.

If the family likes your foster dog, they will leave and then call their adoption coordinator to make arrangements for the adoption. Families who come to visit know in advance that they cannot take the dog home with them that same day. If we felt that this was a perfect match, the adoption coordinator might come along for the appointment in order to do adoption paperwork if they want to adopt your foster.

Q: WHAT IF I DON’T LIKE THE FAMILY WHO CAME TO SEE MY FOSTER DOG OR DON’T THINK THEY WOULD BE A GOOD WEIMARANER HOME?

A: Your feedback about potential adoptive homes is very important. Did they really interact with the dog? Did they seem overly concerned about any one aspect of the dogs personality, like he's too big, too hyper, etc? Were the children well behaved and respectful of the dog? Information like that is invaluable to us in helping decide if the interested family is right for a rescued weimaraner.

Q: WILL THE FOSTER DOG I TAKE BE HEALTHY? WILL HE/SHE ALREADY BE SPAYED/NEUTERED? DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR MEDICATIONS?

A: Any foster dog will come to you already up to date on vaccinations and spayed or neutered. Some may have lingering medical issues (i.e., they may be getting over heartworm treatment, etc.) and some may need follow up veterinary care. All vet care, including any medications and heartworm pills are paid for by WRNT. The dog goes home with a complete packet which includes medical history, collar and tags, and all the paperwork the dog needs to be adopted. **In some cases, we may ask you to take in a dog that is not yet healthy enough to be spayed/neutered or treated for heartworms. If that is the case, you will be informed in advance and will be given clear information about what to expect while the dog is getting better.

Q: DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR FOOD MYSELF OR DOES WRNT PROVIDE THIS?

A: We reimburse for food if you mail in receipts. Many foster families do not ask us to reimburse for food but that is your choice. Occasionally we receive donated dog food and you would be entitled to free dog food as a foster home, when it is available. WRNT will let you know when we have free food available and whom to contact.

Q: WHOM DO I CALL IF I NEED SOMETHING? M DO I CALL IF I NEED SOMETHING?

A: The Foster Home Coordinator is your primary contact for all issues or questions that may arise while you are fostering, including veterinary questions and behavioral issues.

Q: IS THERE ANYONE ELSE IN RESCUE THAT I NEED TO TALK TO?

A: Adoption Coordinators are on duty one week at a time, from Monday morning thru Sunday night. The adoption coordinator on duty will call you each week to make sure that things are going okay and to see if you need anything. Any updates you can give them when they call about the dog's health, medications, personality, behavior, and how training is coming along, etc. will be shared with all of us. Any information you provide will greatly help your foster dog get adopted.

Q: HOW LONG WILL I HAVE MY FOSTER DOG?

A: Most applicants want a female weim who is 1 year old or less (or that's what they put on their application), so females tend to be adopted more quickly. Younger dogs also tend to be adopted more quickly. The length of time you have a foster dog will vary depending on the health and training of your foster. The number of applications coming in and how many other dogs are in rescue also affect the length of time before your foster is adopted. We ask that you foster the dog until it is adopted, if at all possible. The fewer times the dog is moved, the better the better for the dog's well-being. Having a stable environment makes a tremendous difference in the dog's health, temperament, training and adoptability.

Q: WHAT IF I WANT TO ADOPT MY FOSTER DOG?

A: All dogs in foster care are considered to be available for adoption. However, if you decide that you want to permanently adopt your foster dog, please let us know immediately. An Adoption Coordinator will discuss your decision with you before approving the adoption. You will be asked to complete the Adoption Agreement and pay the Adoption Fee to finalize the adoption. There is no pressure from WRNT for you to adopt your foster dog. In fact, we hope that you will always have room in your home (and heart) for your own dog(s) AND a foster dog from Weim Rescue. It is natural to fall in love with your foster dogs and to want to keep them all!

Q: MAY I TAKE MY FOSTER DOG TO: PETSMART? THE DOG PARK? MY PARENTS FOR THE WEEKEND? ON A CAMPING TRIP?

A: The rules are that the dog must be on leash except when in your fenced yard or in your home. This means that PetsMart is okay, but the dog park, if it has a “no leashes” rule, is OUT. As for trips out of town, we must always know where the dog is so we can show him/her whenever possible. If you’re going out of town and want to take the dog with you, you must receive permission from WRNT.

Q: WHAT IF I’M GOING OUT OF TOWN AND CAN’T TAKE MY FOSTER DOG WITH ME?

A: Your foster dog will be boarded at our vet or at the kennel, at WRNT's expense, while you’re away. you to deliver and pick up your foster from the boarding location. Having the dog boarded at our locations allows us to show the dog while you’re out of town. In some cases, your foster dog may be placed with another foster family while you’re gone.

Q: WHAT IF MY FOSTER DOG AND MY OWN DOG(S) DON’T GET ALONG?

A: Rarely does a new dog in a home with existing dogs will make friends instantly. We can help you with suggestions if they have trouble getting along at first. The material provided in your foster dog's Adoption Packet includes "Second Hand Dog" which is a wonderful book full of suggestions for helping settle a new dog into the home. Please refer to this book for suggestions on behavior issues. If the problems persist, we may need to have you foster a different dog. For the most part, we have chosen your foster dog with your family and existing pets in mind so it should work out. If it doesn’t, we’ll make a change.

Q: WHAT SHOULD I FEED MY FOSTER DOG?

A: Quality, dry dog food appropriate for it’s age category. We ask that you feed a Lamb and Rice diet from a brand such as Nutro, Science Diet, Eukanuba or another quality food rather than grocery store dog food. We also require that you soak the foster dog’s food in water for 20 minutes before feeding to avoid bloat. Bloat is an extremely dangerous condition. (Please read the information on bloat in your foster dog’s Adoption Packet).

Q: HOW TO I GET A MONTHLY HEARTWORM PILL FOR MY FOSTER DOG?

A: If you live in Dallas, you can go by Dr. Hodges/Valley View Pet Health Center and pick up a heartworm pill out of the box of our rescue “stuff” at the clinic. If you live outside of Dallas or if it’s not convenient for you to go by the clinic for a pill, please let the Foster Home Coordinator or adoption coordinator on duty know and we will mail a heartworm pill to you.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

The Board, the Adoption Coordinators and/or the Foster Home Coordinator may decide to move foster dogs to/from their existing homes. If we decide to move your foster dog to another home or another location, we will notify you in advance. We NEVER move a dog without a very good reason, but we may not always be able to disclose the “why” of the situation. Please just be aware that the dog you are fostering may be moved from your home or, if you agree, exchanged for another foster dog. This will never be done without advance notice, except in cases of extreme emergency. Please keep in mind that we always do what is in the best interest of the dogs in our care and that decisions about where the dogs are to be located and/or fostered are not made lightly. If you have concerns about a decision made about your foster dog,

MEDICAL TREATMENT / SOME REMINDERS:

If you suspect your foster dog is ill or has a medical problem, please contact the Foster Home Coordinator or an Adoption Coordinator immediately and take the dog to our rescue vet for care if possible.

If there is an EMERGENCY with your foster dog dog, such as bloat, a serious accident, or sudden illness, please contact WRNT immediately. Take the dog to the ER clinic FIRST and then call the Foster Home Coordinator or Adoption Coordinator. If you’re unsure if the situation is an emergency or not, please contact the Adoption

If your foster dog has received the initial treatment for heartworms (immiticide injections), you must restrict the dog from any exercise or exertion for one month following the first treatment. During the heartworm treatment follow up appointment at the vet (one month after the first treatment) the dog will receive a dose of ivermectin. The dog may then resume normal exercise. Please discuss any questions with the Adoption Coordinator, Foster Home Coordinator or rescue veterinarian treating your foster dog.

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Lone Star Weimaraner Club, Inc. P.O. Box 160 Valley Mills, TX 76689

woof@lonestarweimclub.org