GRRI is looking for experienced dog owners who are willing to open their homes and hearts to homeless Goldens in need of temporary housing until they're adopted.
Some GRRI foster situations last just a week or two; others last a few weeks or longer. And all the while, you'll have the support of a truly experienced, reliable and responsive foster home mentor who will be there for you whenever you have a question about the GRRI Golden in your care.
What's more, every Golden entering our program is evaluated by a member of the GRRI evaluation team BEFORE they arrive at their foster home. And from the outset, every GRRI foster home is provided with special training and materials to help ensure that the GRRI foster home experience will be a positive one for all concerned. While we try not to traumatize the rescue dog any more than we need to, sometimes circumstances arise where the dog cannot remain in their current home until an adoption can be arranged. This can be due to a medical condition of the owner, an imminent move, the death of the owner, or an abusive, unsafe or neglectful environment for the dog.
Responsibilities of a Golden Retriever Foster Parent/Home:
Daily feeding, walking and exercising (dog MUST be kept on leash when outdoors if not in fenced in yard)
Reinforcing basic obedience commands such as sit, come, down, stay
Basic grooming such as brushing
Observing the dog's behavioral patterns and overall temperament
Providing an abundance of love and attention
Expenses: The foster home assumes all feeding costs for the dog, as well as any toys that you buy. Telephone calls to provide an update about the dog are also incurred by the foster family. Pre-approved veterinary expenses are paid by Golden Re-TrieverRescue GRRI.
General Information: The foster family gets to decide which dogs they choose to foster. If you don't like the description of the dog that needs fostering, you have every right to say no to fostering that dog.
Yes, you WILL become attached to the dog …how can you not? You just need to remember that you are providing love and stability to a dog that is in dire need of that attention at this stressful time in its life.
And yes, it's OK to cry when the dog goes to his "forever" home with his new adoptive owners.
