Fostering with sweet paws
As a shelterless rescue organization, SPR relies on a network of “foster parents” to provide short and long-term care for dogs and cats in their homes. By offering your time, love, and attention, you prepare your foster dog, puppy, cat, or kitten for adoption into a permanent, loving home! To fill out a Foster Application now, click HERE.
Common Reasons Dogs & Puppies are in Need of Foster Care:
Most often, they are “new arrivals” from our southern rescue partners in Alabama and Mississppi.
SPR works with local animal control officers, veterinarian offices and local pleas from social media to help rehome local dogs in need.
They are too young or underweight to be placed up for adoption.
They need time to heal from an injury or illness.
A female dog and her nursing pups may need a quiet home environment where they can feel safe and receive proper socialization.
They may need additional socialization or may need medication for a period of time before being placed up for adoption.
Expected Duties as a Foster Parent:
Provide daily care and feeding (food is provided by Sweet Paws Rescue)
Socializing your dog/puppy and giving him plenty of TLC!
Provide transportation to and from medical appointments
Attending adoption events (when possible)
Attending training classes (when necessary)
Being committed! These puppies/dogs will rely on you while in your care until they are ready to be placed for adoption. You could have a foster for a few weeks or several months.
Our fosters are the key to our success, so we make every effort to be available for questions or tips!
Communicating well with adoption coordinators and potential adopters.
Rewards and Challenges of Fostering:
Fostering is not always an easy job; it can be challenging and exhausting. It can also be painful to say goodbye to a foster dog when he or she is ready for adoption. However; fostering can be the most rewarding and fulfilling thing a true dog lover will ever do to support our canine guests! Ultimately you can reassure yourself by knowing that the dog is going to a good home, and that you were an integral part of making that happen. Essentially, you saved a dog’s life!
Qualifications for Fostering:
In order to ensure that your foster dog receives the care he or she needs, SPR asks that you meet the following criteria:
Foster parents must be at least 25 years old
Have a basic knowledge of canine care and behavior
Have a safe, secure space inside your home to house the foster dog/puppy.
Have a flexible schedule to allow for veterinary exams and vaccinations, as well as any emergencies that may occur.
Fosters should not be away from the home for more than 6 hours at a time.
Puppies require more attention so time away varies according to age.
Driver’s license and a vehicle required.
Foster must live within 40 minutes from our facility in Groveland MA.
We can not accept applications from New Hampshire residents.
Willingness to transport your dog to meet potential adopters, vet visits and adoption events.
Commitment to time and effort in socializing, training and exercising your foster dog as well as providing ongoing input to the SPR foster team on any behavior changes or health issues
Ongoing communication through social media with foster team providing updated photographs and biographies about your foster dog while it is in your home.