Why foster an animal with Rocket Dog Rescue? The simple answer is, it’s one of the biggest ways you can help us save lives. The more foster homes we have in our network, the more dogs we can continue to take in from high-kill shelters, save from severe neglect and abuse, and rescue from other dangerous situations.
But there’s a lot more to it than that. When you foster a dog, you aren’t just putting a roof over their head (although, yes, that’s an important part of it). You’re also helping them get accustomed to living in a home, with people — possibly for the first time in their life, or for the first time in conditions under which they can feel safe and relaxed. You’re helping them learn what it’s like to be a companion animal, and preparing them for their new lives in forever homes, and helping their hearts heal and glow. At the same time, you’re acting as a community ambassador for Rocket Dog Rescue and helping spread awareness of what we do.
Each dog is unique, and some come to us already house-trained, easy to walk, and quiet as a mouse. But most do not, because no one has ever put in the effort to teach them. Successful foster parents have the patience, time, and love to help these animals become the best dogs they can be. Foster homes provide a bridge between an animal’s often rough start in life and their stable, happy future.
So, what can you expect when you foster a Rocket Dog? While each dog is unique, many of our foster dogs may need your help with one or more of the following:
- House-training
- Leash manners
- Socializing with other dogs
- Basic commands (sit, stay, down, etc.)
- Separation anxiety
- Transportation to and care after any necessary veterinary visits (paid for by Rocket Dog Rescue)
- Healthy socialization with strangers (humans)
We also rely on our foster families to send us photos and updates on how their dogs are doing, what kind of home they’d be happiest in, and what kind of forever family they’d be a good fit for. In many cases, you’ll be able to meet potential adopters yourself and help us determine the right match for your foster dog.
But for all the work it takes, there’s so much more you can expect in return:
- A grateful and loving companion
- All the face licks and snuggles you can handle
- A sense of fulfillment at the end of every day
- The joy that comes when your foster dog finds their perfect forever home
- The excitement of opening your heart and your home to more foster dogs in the future
Want to learn more about what it’s like to foster? Check out our Fostering FAQ page