We get calls & emails from our 7 shelters all the time about Death Row Dogs that may have only have just a few more days or a few hours left to live.  They send us a photo and a description of the dog and ask if we can take the dog under our rescue.  When the shelters run out of space, they must either find a safe place for the dog or the dog will be euthanized.

Foster care is the most crucial yet scarce ingredient in dog rescue. Without available foster homes, many dogs are unable to be rescued. For the dogs in animal control facilities, this often means death.

Dog foster care providers are people who rescue dogs from being put to sleep in pounds and shelters. They temporarily provide food, care, and shelter for them in their own home until a permanent home can be found.

It's a big commitment and it's not a job for everyone so please make this is something you can do.

Yet the fulfillment and sense of purpose you receive in knowing that you helped one more dog find its way into a safe, happy home is overwhelming each time you successfully place a dog.

Very few people who get involved with foster care have the luxury of housing more than one foster dog at a time because of time or space restraints. So therefore we are always in need to find as many foster homes that we can.

A foster home is a temporary home for any rescued dog prior to being adopted by a new owner. Without foster homes, the majority of our Death Row Dogs that end up in shelters, or are abandoned, or given up by their owners will be euthanized. Foster homes are the backbone and the most important part of our rescue program. Having an adequate number of foster homes is vital in order to save as many dogs as we possibly can.

Ginger's Pet Rescue will cover all veterinary expenses for the dogs under our rescue. If a foster home is able to cover part of that cost, it’s enormously appreciated, but we understand not everyone can afford to do that. We ask all our fosters to please provide plenty of love, care, a warm bed, dog food, treats and training to help socialize the dog and make them more adoptable. 

The length of time a dog is in any foster home depends upon the condition or age of the dog and the circumstances that brought the dog into rescue in the first place. Younger, well-adjusted dogs tend to get adopted faster and older dogs can take longer, but people are beginning to realize small dogs live for a long time and a six- or seven-year-old dog can be very desirable if it is well mannered and healthy.

Foster home care can be as short as a day or two or for several months in the case of a rescue dog that needs medical care or social rehabilitation or evaluation. As a foster home, you have the choice of telling us the type of foster dog you can care for and the length of time you can foster. The average length of foster care is two months or more. 

We ask you to fill out a foster application so we can best match you to the best possible foster dog that will fit your living environment.  We like to know if you have kids, other dogs, cats and also your work schedule and if maybe you are a stay at home person.

As a foster "parent", you are not only providing shelter, food and health care, you will be responsible for learning about and assessing the dog's temperament, character and abilities before finding him a new home.

You should teach some basic commands and obedience training to the dog. Things such as sit, come, stay, and having the dog walk on a lead will ensure a secure transition into its new home. It is also important to socialize with other dogs, people and surroundings. You'll may also need to also look for fear or aggression triggers and if possible have the dog toilet trained.

These things will depend on a wide range of factors. the dogs age, how long you have him, its history, how much time you can spare each day, inside or outside dog? etc. 

You must also remember that many of these "rescued" dogs have been abused, tied up, starved and abandoned.  Many are not housebroken or have been very mistreated.  It is your commitement and compassion that will help make the dog adoptable.

When it is time for your dog to go to its new permanent home you will most probably feel an attachment to your foster dog, and tears may be shed that day. It is important to remember that you did give the dog a second chance at life and that's a very precious and worthwhile gift to both the dog and its new family.

The responsiblities of doggie foster care are as follows:

A foster companion or family must provide a safe, secure, stable environment, and, most importantly, the love needed to nurture those dogs back to their happy, healthy selves. Some dogs require special care, such as post medical attention, increasing weight or strength, socializing, building trust, exercise, and fun. This is a family commitement.

Some dogs just require you.

If you are responsible, have common sense, general pet knowledge, room for a foster dog and the desire to be a foster home, you are invited to apply to become a foster home. Once your application is filled out and you have been approved by Ginger's Pet Rescue, you will be asked to take a foster dog when we have one available.   We’re always available by email to work with you every step of the way so that you never feel that you are without proper direction and guidance in any aspect of your fostering.

Most dogs we save come in with very little notice so we are always in need of foster homes at any given time.

All of the dogs in our foster program belongs to Ginger's Pet Rescue. Our foster homes have the unique advantage of getting to know their foster dog and of course have precedence over other interested families but if the foster home would like to adopt their foster dog, an application, adoption fee, and contract are required just as they are for everyone else. If you do decide to adopt one of our dogs,  we ask that you can continue to help foster another dog.

Yes! We have several volunteers who can’t foster but are willing to help with fundraising and coordinating various functions to benefit our rescue.

Many people have creative skills they’re willing to volunteer. If you have a particular skill, let us know and we will be happy to accept whatever amount of time or materials you are willing to donate.

For example just collecting used leashes, collars, crates, dog food and etc is a wonderful way to help.  We are always open for fresh and new ideas to help our pet rescue.

Please feel free to email me at gingerluke@comcast.net

Visit our website at:  www.gingerspetrescue.org