Each time someone agrees to
foster, another Dog is saved and
given a new chance at having a
wonderful life.
Bentley's Buds Great Dane Rescue is looking for caring, responsible BIG dog lovers to join our foster team by opening their homes and their hearts to a rescued Great Dane or Giant Breed. These Gentle Giants do not 'kennel well' and our foster home program allows volunteers to provide our orphans with a home environment in order to evaluate their habits and behaviors. Since volunteers get to know each foster dog "up close and personal", they offer a potential adopter more information about the dog which helps BBGDR make a better match between the dog and their adoptive forever family.
"Foster parents" should be able to make a commitment to spend time with the foster dog and give all the exercise, love, and attention the dog needs -- however long it stays in the foster home.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions):
Is fostering for me? Good question. Foster parents should be able to make a commitment to spend time with the foster dog and give them all the training, exercise, love, and attention the dog needs. Sometimes these dogs need special care and that takes time and effort. And then you must be able to say good bye when we find them their own forever family. But know there is great joy in that when the day comes.
One thing of which you need to be fully aware is that fostering is not the fast track to adoption. If you foster a dog with the intention of by-passing our standard adoption process, you will find that this is not permissible except in rare instances as deemed appropriate by BBGDR. Foster homes must go through the same process as our adopters and meet the same criteria to adopt.
What will I need to do as a foster parent? Foster homes are responsible for the daily care of the foster Great Dane including feeding, exercising, medicating (as necessary), socializing, brushing and grooming, reinforcing basic obedience commands, observing and evaluating general behavior and temperament. And of course, providing love and security to a special orphan at a difficult time in his or her life when they have lost their former family and home.
How long does the dog stay in foster care? It varies. Great Danes stay in a foster home from a minimum of a few days to as much as several months, depending on the dog, his/her personality, his/her age, his/her health, and other factors. Generally, if the foster is under age 2 and healthy, and social they do not stay with the foster family for very long.
Do I need a fenced yard? Yes, the fencing requirement applies for fosters just as it does for adopters. Our foster homes must comply with the same requirements as our adoptive homes. Fenced yards ensure that an orphan has the safest possible environment to relieve itself. The dog may be exercised there off leash if your yard is surrounded by a secure fence, but outside the yard the dog must be on leash at all times. There are some cases where we may make an exception based on the dog and the family situation.
Do I have to be with the dog all day? No. Many of our foster family members are currently employed full or part-time, yet they still provide a quality environment for the dog. Our first concern is safety for you, your family, your own dog(s), and for the rescue dog. Therefore we require that any time the dog's caregiver is unable to directly supervise the foster dog, it must be leashed or confined in a secure area, preferably in a crate.
How much time does it take to be a foster parent? At minimum, two hours a day to as much time you can spend with the dog. In some cases, the more quality time you spend with your foster, the more quickly you can prepare it for placement in its forever home. Be prepared though for the first week or two to require more then the minimum time of two hours. Some dogs acclimate quickly to new environments but others are more stressed and traumatized and require more care.
What if I go on vacation? Or if I travel for my job? Unfortunately BBGDR does not have facilities to temporarily house foster dogs. As a result, foster caregivers often develop support systems to provide care in their absence or they stagger the times when they foster. Some schedule vacations between orphans or find pet sitters or family members to step in when they travel for business. The same provisions that you would make for your own dog would apply to a foster -- with the caveat that if you do plan on boarding your foster Dane please be sure to discuss this with BBGDR before hand and be sure we have all contact information for the kennel and the kennel has their contact information.
How much does it cost to foster a dog? Lack of funds shouldn't prevent you from fostering, but you will have some expenses: good quality dog food, and any toys you wish to provide. Although necessary veterinary expenses, including heartworm preventative, may be paid by BBGDR, remember that we are a nonprofit organization so anything you donate to your orphan's care can be deducted from your taxes.
May I choose which dog I foster? The BBGDR Coordinator will work with you to select an appropriate dog. The foster application allows you to specify requirements, such as a foster must get along with your dogs, cats, or kids.
As a foster, once you take a dog into your home we expect that you will work through any problems that arise unless they are severe. Should such a situation arise, you must immediately contact BBGDR. You must also be prepared to give us 48 hours to find new placement for your foster dog.
Will I become attached to my foster dog? Yes, you undoubtedly will. Great Danes bond quickly and they give so much back in return for your attention. But when you meet the new family that's ready to provide a permanent, loving home for the dog you helped rescue, you will feel more than satisfied to see him move on to his new and better life.
Being a foster home is extremely rewarding, but you should keep in mind that some rescue dogs may not be housebroken, may be ill, or may have had little socialization or obedience training. In spite of these challenges, our foster homes have found that when given a chance, Great Danes not only quickly improve, they flourish.
What if I want to adopt the Great Dane I am fostering? If you decide to be a foster parent, it should be with the understanding that you are working toward helping a deserving Great Dane prepare for its "forever home", and not with the goal to "try out" a Great Dane you may later wish to adopt. We treat fosters and adopters equally. If you think you may wish to adopt your foster, we require a completed BBGDR Adoption Application, and normal adoption fees apply.
I'd like to foster, what do I do next? Once everyone in your family has decided together to foster a Great Dane, please fill out the foster application and a member of BBGDR will call you back to start the application process. If you meet our preliminary requirements, someone will contact you to schedule a home visit. They will provide more detail about your responsibilities as a foster and answer any questions you may have. If you are approved, you're on your way to helping to prepare a Great Dane for its forever home!
FOR MORE INFORMATION E-MAIL BBGDRadoptions@hotmail.com
Bentley’s Buds Great Dane Rescue
Dog Foster Application
Procedure: * Please fill out application honestly and completely. * You will hear back from us, or please assume your application was not selected. * For applications selected, a reference check will be done, then a home visit made. * The following questions help us assess your experience with dogs so that we can place an appropriate foster dog in your home. You do not need experience in all of these areas to be approved as a foster home.
Today’s Date:
Where you heard about us?
Please print identification information clearly:
Applicant(s) Name:___
Address
City ________________________________ State_______ Zip
Place of Employment ___________________________________ Since (mo/yr)
E-mail ______________________ Home Phone(____)___________ Work Phone(____)
Cell Phone #______________________
1. What makes you want a foster dog at this point in time?_____________________________________ _______________________________________________ ______________________________
2. What do you think are the most important responsibilities in caring for a dog?
3. Please list any preferences (age, sex, breed, personality)
4. What experience do you have with dogs?
5. Have you ever had an application declined for adoption of an animal from an animal welfare group/animal control facility? ___yes ___no Explain:
6. Are you willing to take the time to housebreak a dog, and do you understand that changing a dog’s environment may cause the dog to have accidents? ___ yes ___no
7. If a behavioral problem arises, what steps will you take to work on it?
8. Are you willing to work with a puppy/dog who is not housetrained, how will you housetrain the dog?:
______________________________________________________________________________
9. Does any member of the family have any allergies to animals? ___yes ___no
Explain
10. Do your current pets get along with other dogs?________________________________________
11. What expenses are you willing to cover as a foster home? ___Vet Bills ___Proper Food ___Toys ___Bedding ___Leash/Collar ___Dishes ___Milage ___Obedience Training
12. Please list all who reside in the home, include age, sex, relation. ________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
13.Are there any children in the household? ___yes ___ no
14. Who will be responsible for feeding and taking the dog outside? ___________________
15. Who will take care of the dog in the absence of the primary caretaker? _______________
16. What reading and other/or steps have you taken to prepare for a dog?
17. Are you willing to participate in obedience training? ______________________________________________________________________________
18. Will you be willing to obtain an appropriately sized, open-wire crate, if recommended? ___yes ___no
19. What kinds of animals have you owned?
20. What is the longest you have owned a pet?__________Describe those pets you currently own:
If you have more animals than space provided, please use an additional sheet of paper and attach to this form.
a. Name __________________________ Type _____________________ Age _________ Sex
Is the pet Spayed or Neutered? ___ yes ___ no
Primarily Indoor or Outdoor? Explain:
What year did you get the animal? ___________________
How did you acquire the animal?
Comments:
b. Name __________________________ Type _____________________ Age _________ Sex
Is the pet Spayed or Neutered? ___ yes ___ no
Primarily Indoor or Outdoor? Explain:
What year did you get the animal?
How did you acquire the animal?
Comments:
21. Describe all pets you previously owned in the last 10 years:
If you have had more animals than space provided, please use an additional sheet of paper and attach to this form.
a. Name __________________________ Type _____________________ Age _________ Sex
Was the pet Spayed or Neutered? ___ yes ___no
Primarily Indoor or Outdoor? Explain:
What year did you get the animal?
How did you acquire the animal?
Year deceased (or last year you had pet)?
Cause of death, or where pet is now (detail)
b. Name __________________________ Type _____________________ Age _________ Sex
Was the pet Spayed or Neutered? ___ yes ___no
Primarily Indoor or Outdoor? Explain:
What year did you get the animal?
How did you acquire the animal?
Year deceased (or last year you had pet)?
Cause of death, or where pet is now (detail)
22. List each vet/animal hospital where your animal(s) received care over the last 10 years:
If several vets were used, please explain and provide approximate service dates. Please note that application review cannot be completed unless each vet’s phone number is provided. If the space provided is insufficient, please use an additional sheet of paper and attach to this form.
Name(s) Phone # with area code (for each) (_____)
What owner name(s) are records listed under
Date of last vet visit:
23. What is the family schedule like?
24. Availability is important for showing these dogs to potential adopters, will BBGDR have access to our dog at all reasonable times?
25. Have you considered the extra expenses that will come with having a dog including vet care, food, supplies and equipment, toys, training and boarding? Please explain:
26. What type of home do you live in? _house _townhouse _duplex _condo _apt _mobile
27. Do you own or rent your residence? ___own ___rent
28. If you rent: Landlord name _________________ Landlord phone #(____)
What type/size pets are allowed?
If you have rented your current residence for under a year, please provide prior address and prior landlord contact phone number:
Prior address
Prior Landlord’s name: Landlord phone #:
29. Do you have a fenced yard? ___yes ___ no
Note: Secure, fully fenced yards are typically required for homes with children under age 12. For some dogs, fences of minimum 5 to 6 ft are required.
What type of fence?
How tall? (Give range of heights, if relevant)
Does the fence belong to you, or to neighbors?
Any holes or gaps? ___yes ___ no
Is the fence attached to the home? ___yes ___no
30. If you do not have a fence, do you plan to install a fence? ___ yes ___no. If yes, when?
31. Describe the circumstances in which you would walk/exercise a dog on leash:
32. Describe the circumstances in which you would walk/exercise a dog off leash:
33. How often will you exercise the dog and for approximately how long?
34. How many hours will the dog be left unattended (i.e., workday)?
35. When you are home, where will the dog be kept?
36. Where will the dog sleep?
37. When no one is home (i.e. at work, shopping), where will the dog stay (be specific)?
38. Have you used or do you plan to install a dog door?
39. How often do you travel?
40. What will you do with the dog when you travel? _______________________________
41. If you move, what will you do with the dog? _________________________________
42. Are you or your spouse with the military? ___yes ___no
45. Are you familiar with your local animal control laws? ___yes ___no
46. Have all adult family members met with and agreed upon the dog?
Please List Names and Numbers of three people who will always know how to contact you.
Include Name, Relationship, Home number, cell number, and address.
1.
2.
3.
Please describe the kind of pet (dog or cat) you are interested in fostering:
____ Any size dogs OR ____ Small _____ Medium _____ Large ____ Puppies_____ Seniors
______ Dogs recovering from medical care_____ Mama and puppies _____ Special need dogs _____Cats
.
Have you had experience with any of the following : ___crate training ___House training ___Obedience training ___ whelping a litter or bottle feeding puppies ___Modifying behavior problems
Are you willing to take the dog to obedience classes if necessary or work with a trainer if a problem arises or to work on basic obedience ?__________________________________________________________
What if your foster dog turns out to be a "barker"?
What if your foster plays roughly/is aggressive?
What will you do if your foster dog has a potty accident?
What do you plan to do if the foster dog does not work out in your home?
When are you looking to foster? ___Right Away___ In a few weeks ___Over a month from now
Are you willing to foster more than one Dog at a time.______ If yes what is your limit? ______________
Do you have the room/ability to keep your foster pet separate from other animals if necessary?____
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Are there any type or breeds of dog, if any ,you would not be willing to foster?______________________
Do you have children? ____ Are the children trained to handle animals gently? ____ Will the children be closely watched when interacting with your foster dog?____
I have read the above information carefully and have filled out this application honestly. I understand that omission of information and/or failure to answer all questions and sign the application can result in this application being declined. Also, if an omission or untruth is discovered after the foster dog has entered your home, I understand that Bentley’s Buds Great Dane Rescue reserves the right to annul the foster and reclaim the animal. I give BBGDR permission to fully investigate the information provided as well as contact veterinarians and related officials. If the application passes this review, I agree to a home and yard visit on a mutually agreed date before a foster decision is made. I also agree that BBGDR has the right to come and check on the BBGDR dogs at any time.
In addition, I understand the decision is dependent on many factors, including but not limited to the compatibility of the family and home to the individual animal, and other applications received on this animal. I understand it is BBGDRs prerogative to decide which home is most appropriate and that their decision is final, and therefore I will not argue with the decision. Unless otherwise indicated by BBGDR, I am free to apply and undergo the application process in the future.
Signature(s) __________________________________________________ Date
Printed Full Name(s)
