MissySki
Angel Diva
This sounds like its a temporary thing? You aren't responsible for dealing with adopters? That makes it easier.
They are bringing up a ton of dogs right now because there is a big event next Saturday that multiple
Rescues participate in. People can get preapproved ahead of time and then there are lots of dogs to meet, they have areas for families to bring their current dogs to meet a potential new pup, etc. So they need a lot of extra fosters and it gives the added benefit for this event in particular that you are making a specific short term commitment. Keep them for a week until the event, and if they are not adopted then and you cannot keep them indefinitely they ask for just one additional week of a commitment to be able to find a new foster for the pup. So it's a max 2 week commitment (or less) if you want it to be. A lot of people dip their toes in to try it this way. I've been in a private Facebook group for awhile now since I was approved months ago, so they will post the dogs who need fosters every couple of weeks and you can choose who you want to foster and you also get first dibs on a dog you might want to adopt if that is the case. Some people constantly have like 6 fosters and others foster a few times per year as schedules allow, etc. It's also a good support system to ask questions or if something weird comes up.
The pups we are taking are 3 months old and 10 lbs, so I imagine they will go quickly, but you never know. They have no idea what their breed is, but are calling them Shepherd/mixed breed who they expect to be Medium sized when full grown. I'm more of a small breed girl myself, so this is some extra insurance to not foster fail on our first go through. If all goes well in our house, and they somehow don't get snatched up next weekend, I'd be willing to keep them a bit longer term as needed. They often go super fast though, I see the adoption announcements on the private page. Usually young pups go ridiculously fast, but I do wonder if that is the case at this time of year with cold weather and holidays coming? Spring/summer seem the most popular for getting puppies that you then need to spend a lot of time with outside potty training etc.
With ski season coming up this may be our only opportunity to foster for a bit since we are gone every weekend. I wanted to try it out now and see how things go, and then probably pick back up in the spring if Sookie tolerates it well.
Following so many Rescues on Facebook from when we were looking for a dog, and being a part of the behind the scenes private Facebook group for this Rescue in particular.. I am just so amazed at the magnitude of the problem with overpopulation and suffering of dogs due to irresponsible owners. The vast majority of dogs from Rescues in New England get brought up from the South where there are apparently much different attitudes on spay/neutering and also about supervising them versus letting them wander outside. I knew it was all a big problem, but never did I imagine the true heartbreaking extent of it all. Current economic issues are only pushing it all to an even worse extent when you take into account the unprecedented number of local dogs that are being abandoned or surrendered too. It's craziness.. :( I am so happy to help in any way, and try to donate supplies when calls go out and hope to have fostering work out etc. But it truly feels like trying to stop a fire hose by sticking your hand over the nozzle. There are literally a never ending supply of dogs and puppies who need homes. Where are most of the dogs from in the PNW that Rescues bring in?