Did you know, about 3.3 million dogs go into animal shelters and 670,000 dogs get euthanized every year in the US. While the number of euthanized dogs has gone down since 2011, there are still many dogs that will never get a chance at a forever home. Dog shelters are not only crowded, uncomfortable, but they are also not suited for all dogs. Shelters usually find it difficult to house puppies, pregnant dogs, and dogs with special medial needs because of the limited staffs and space. 

This is where fostering comes in!  

You might have heard the saying “fostering saves lives”, and it’s true. By becoming a foster parent, you are giving a dog more time and love while he waits for a forever home. Foster parents are also extremely important to help animals that are either pregnant, too young, injured, recovering from an illness, or suffers from kennel anxiety. 

However, some certain pros and cons come with fostering. Here we list out 5 things to consider before committing to fostering.

The time 

How much time do you have on your hands? Foster dogs, just like any other dog, require lots of love, patience, and companionship. Some dogs are already potty trained while others may not be fully house trained. Some foster dogs require special attention due to their medical or emotional conditions. You might also need to bring your foster pup in for scheduled check-ups and adoption days. There is no set period for how long a foster dog would stay with you; however, the time usually ranges between 2 weeks to sometimes up to 6 months. Therefore, you must carefully consider your day-to-day schedule before hopping on the fostering train. 

The cost 

Foster parents are not usually compensated for their work. So when you are fostering a dog, you are essentially owning another dog for a set period. You would have to be responsible to provide supplies including food, water, toys, crates, medication, and other necessities. *Some organizations would provide routine medication or vet bill discounts for foster parents.* 

The emotional attachment

Goodbyes are always the hardest for foster parents. Whether you’ve been with the foster dog for a few weeks or a few months, you’ve probably built a bond with the dog already. Although you will be happy knowing that your foster baby has found his forever home, the emotional attachment would still make it hard to say goodbye. This is why some foster parents might end up just adopting the dog at the end of the foster period. 

The home environment 

Before bringing a foster dog to your home, you need to ask yourself a few questions.

1. Is your home pet-friendly? 
2. Do you have other pets at home? 
3. Do you have children at home? 
4. Do you live with others? 
5. Is your home a rental? 

You want to make sure that your home is pet-friendly so your foster baby can feel safe and happy. If you live with others, then you must take into account their situation and feelings towards your foster dog too. Lastly, if you have children or other pets at home, they must be able to get along without conflict. 

The knowledge

Last but not least, you would need lots of love, patience, and sometimes the knowledge to be a good foster parent. Dogs that need fostering are usually either extremely young, pregnant, or recovering from an illness/injury. Those dogs might require special attention or knowledge from their foster parents. Since the vet can’t be open 24/7, you should have had some experience or knowledge dealing with various emergencies. 

Furbo can help 

Fostering is a big decision and can help save a dog’s life!

While we do encourage pet parents to help out by fostering, it’s even more important that foster parents have completely thought through the foster process. Of course, this is not a comprehensive list as there could be more personal factors to consider before you hop into fostering. One thing that may help you in your fostering journey is Furbo! Generally, dogs that need fostering require special care and attention, which is why Furbo can help! The two-way audio system and HD quality camera allow users to check on their pup anytime, anywhere. No matter if you're on a quick grocery run or just in another room, Furbo can capture all the important moments and monitor the pup for you at all times.

If you have thought through the fostering process and are able to check off most of the points above, then congratulations! You are ready to welcome a furry guest to your home. Make a new friend while saving a life today.