Interested in fostering for Carolina Hearts Aussie Rescue? Here’s a few Frequently Asked Questions that can help you make your decision.
Am I responsible for any vet bills?
Not ultimately. Fosters homes typically pay for vetting up front (since most vets require payment at the time of checkout), however CHAR reimburses foster homes for vet costs.
What happens if our foster dog doesn’t get along with our pets?
The safety and well being of our foster homes and their “resident” pets is the number one priority with CHAR. Sometimes new foster dogs can have a settling-in period, but if it is determined that you current pets are in danger, we will move the foster dog immediately.
Do I have to have a fenced in yard?
No. It’s always nice if you do, but as long as you provide a way to safely exercise your foster dog, it’s not a problem. Some dogs may require a fenced home, and if that is the case we will only place them with a foster that has a fenced yard.
Can I adopt my foster dog?
Of course! While we always encourage outside adoptions of our foster dogs, sometimes there’s just that one that we can’t let go. We’ve all been there, we understand. It’s never a good idea to adopt your first foster dog, as you will quickly learn that there are many wonderful dogs in the world, and the more dogs we adopt out, the more we can save.
What happens at the home visit?
When we visit your home as a part of the application process, it’s to check a number of things. This is not a white-glove inspection – we are first making sure that everything on your application matches what’s “real”, and to see how you and your family interact with the dogs you own.
Do I have to train my foster dog?
Yes. Many of our dogs come from shelters and have unknown backgrounds, but most of these dogs have lived life as “yard dogs” and are lacking basic training. It’s part of your job as a foster home to get these dogs ready for their lives with new families – which may include – but is definitely not limited to – housetraining, crate training, simple commands, leash walking, and socialization.
Do I have to foster all the time?
Not if you don’t want to. Many of our foster homes take breaks in between foster dogs as they need to. It’s up to you as a foster home to communicate with us, and let us know when you need that break. We will never fault you or guilt you because of this – we’re all human, and we’re all volunteers.
What other help can I give if I can’t foster?
You can become a general volunteer, or donate to our efforts. General volunteers help us with a number of things, including home visits, dog evaluations, transports, and calling references for adoption applications. Also, we operate off of donations, and every little cent counts!