Foster Application

Dalmatian Rescue of Arizona

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Foster Application

Wanna help? Open your home to a foster Dalmatian!

Click to D/L file (instructions on how to send below)!

Being a Foster Home is not a very glamerous job, but it is a very necessary one. By allowing the dog a short stay in your home as part of your family you are helping the rescue officers (typically the Foster Home Coordinator) in finding a good home for a needy Dalmatian that otherwise wouldn't have a chance at one. We use the foster home program as an opportunity to evaluate the dog's temperment in a home environment. You are encouraged to take the dog everywhere and anywhere so you can to get it exposed to as many potential adopters, and as many different situations, as possible.

Here are some typical questions:

What's Involved?: The Foster Home's main job is to be responsible for the day-to-day care of the foster dog including, but not limited to:

* Transportation

* Socialization

* Feeding

* Exercising

* Grooming, incl. nail trimming

* Evaluating general temperment

* Getting the dog used to, and reinforcing, basic

obedience commands.

* Providing support for the transition from bad

situation to their own loving home!

Do I need a fenced-in yard? Yes. Also, the dog is not

to be allowed to run loose outside the fence and

must be kept on a leash at all times. Tags and collar

need to be on the dog when they're not crated.'

How long do they stay? We're averaging a little over

a month right now, but that should go down once

we're better known.

Can I decide what kind of dog I want to foster? Sure.

We don't want you to feel like you "have" to foster

any dog that we have available. You can set your

preferences and we'll do our best to accomodate

them.

How much does it cost? There are expenses, no doubt,

but they are typically things like premium dog food,

toys, and any transporation costs. You may do other

things such as advertising, putting up flyers, and

anything else you can do to find the best home.

These expenses will not be reimbursed by DRAZ.

Any medical expenses will either be covered by us or

reimbursed to the foster home if for some reason you

pay for it. Receipts required for any reimbursement.

What if I have problems with my foster dog? Please

difficult for you to handle on your own. Keep in mind

that some Dalmatians are not housbroken, may be

shy, or have had little socialization or obedience

training. Don't worry, most dogs greatly improve with

a little love and patience so be willing to give the

dog a chance.

And if I have questions? Feel free to contact the Foster

Home Coordinator at any time and they'll be more

than happy to answer any questions you might have.

If the FHC is not available contact any one of the

coordinators and we will be happy to help.

Thoughts on Fostering:

"We can't foster unless I get HIM (DH) to sign a separate "Foster" contract with me. He would never let them go . . . I feel differently about it. If we can foster a dog, to save it from being put down, then find it a good forever home, then our part in the process is complete. We can then foster another one, thus saving it from death too. I guess it's how you set your mind, in the beginning. You start out knowing this dog is not yours. You are just "babysitting" for a time, and helping the dog to get to where it belongs. It really is a wonderful feeling, when you know you have put a dog in a special new home. Then you get to do it again, and that feeling is just as wonderful then too."

-- posted by Jeannie (AV8NMom) on the AOL Dalmatian Message board (used with permission).

Instructions: Thank you for your interest! Foster homes are what allows us to save as many Dalmatians as possible and are always needed. Please read carefully and if you're serious about opening your home and heart to a Dalmatian in need do the following:

1) Download the following form (it's a Word document).

2) Fill out the application completely.

3) E-mail to DRAZ. We'll contact you ASAP.

Click here to get Foster Family Application!

Important: After we do an in-home evaluation and if you are approved as a foster home for DRAZ we will bring a Foster Family Contract for you to look over and sign when we bring you your new foster dog.