Frequently Asked Questions - Fostering

Fostering is like a temporary ownership- you take care of your foster pet as though it were your own ideally until we find the dog a loving forever home.

BARCC does not have a physical building so we do not have anywhere else for our rescued dogs to go. Fostering allows us to place a dog with a family to prepare it for its forever home while we learn more about the dog’s true personality.

The most common comment we see regarding fostering is how hard it is to let go of your foster dog. I'm here to tell you that a departure of a rescued dog from a foster home is a bittersweet occasion. As a foster you do develop close attachment to your foster dog; however when an adopter comes to pick up their new family member something changes. I've seen clingy foster dogs jump into an adopters car without a backwards glance; it is like the foster knows what is going on and can read both of our hearts and minds. I am blown away every time one of my foster's take that leap into their new home. It is the leap of faith that we all work to achieve in rescue. You still may need some tissues. However remember you aren't losing a friend (or foster), but making new friends!

Applying to become a foster through our foster care program is applying to provide a temporary home for a dog while they are waiting for their forever home. In most cases, we ask that you apply to foster until adoption. We do allow our fosters to adopt their foster as long they give us plenty of lead time and we don't have any current applications on the dog. Our fosters who decide to adopt are expected to sign an adoption contract if approved via the adoption coordinator and pay the full adoption fee.

Once you submit a foster application, we will screen your application, check your two (2) references (non-family), check your vet reference(s) (if you own another animal or have owned another animal in the past few years), and we will conduct a home visit to make sure your home environment is safe. Our process is thorough and extensive as we are looking for dedicated foster families who are committed and willing to work through both the challenges and rewards of fostering.

In many cases yes, we do require other pets to be spayed or neutered, up-to-date with current vaccines and do not have a history of aggressive behavior. We ask that foster dogs and current house animals be introduce to each other slowly and cautiously over a period of a few days to week while the foster dog is kept on a leash. This is especially important even if your foster dog or current pet have been housed with other animals before as no one can guarantee the behavior will be the same with new pets. Please be cautious and use good judgement as you wouldn't leave a children unattended in the same room with your foster dog, don't leave other animals unattended. Please don't feed your foster dog in the same room as your other pet and be cautious leaving toys and treats laying around the house.

Yes! However, in most cases we never know the complete background or history of the dogs we rescue. We recommend that under no circumstances that they be left alone with children. Parents should be cautious and observant. We ask that only adults walk our foster dogs. We ask that you keep in mind that we typically deal with large, and active breeds this means that a child in a house could accidentally be knocked over, scratched or nipped, etc. We ask that if your foster dog gives you any concerns or you feel uncomfortable with the situation between the dog and the child, please let us know immediately.

In order to provide as much stability as possible, we ask that you keep the foster dog until they are adopted (unless otherwise stated). Sometimes our foster parents can have a foster for a couple of weeks to a couple of months, it really depends on how quickly the foster is adopted. Please notify the foster coordinator well in advance of any dates that you are unable to foster. We will make appropriate arrangements to move the dog to another foster home (on a temporary basis, until you return.)

Unfortunately, we can't tell you what may happen as each foster dog is completely different. Our dogs are coming from shelters, rural environments, being homeless and on the street, being given up etc. and sometimes fosters may need to work through some different things ranging from separation anxiety, a fear of their new environment, house training etc. Luckily you won't be on this journey alone! We have many experienced fosters who can serve as mentors and who can help you with any challenges you face as long as you are willing to work through them.

All of our dogs will be fully vetted, spayed or neutered when they arrive (or in a small number of cases, very soon after they arrive.) If there are any known health issues, we will notify you in advance. We will make sure that you are comfortable dealing with any additional issues that your dog may have.

We help but we need your help too! We actively advertise our dogs through social media, at adoption events (in certain locations) and other media outlets. We love it when foster's can help us get the word out so that our dogs get the promotion that they deserve. Our fosters can help by providing us with current personalities updates, and how the foster is doing with training. Clear photos, videos and stories will also help on various social media platforms. You can also promote your foster by having them wear an “Adopt Me vest or leash sleeve or bandana when you are taking them out for walks. Posting on social media about them and about BARCC also helps.

Nope! We cover veterinarian care expenses as long as you go through us for ALL veterinarian issues. If you take your foster animal to a vet without our permission, it then becomes your financial responsibility. If you have any questions about symptoms you see, please email your foster coordinator and we’'ll let you know what do and/or we will get your foster vet care.

No. Sorry, for safety reasons, none of our dogs are allowed in any dog run or off leash area.

It is safe to let your foster puppy on the ground in public places and with other dogs as long as your foster puppy has received its final round of puppy vaccines which usually happens between 12-16 weeks old. If you are fostering a puppy younger than this, you'll need to wait. It is okay to have your foster puppy puppy on the floor in your home and other private spaces, and puppy play dates with other dogs that you know are up to date on vaccines and not carrying anything contagious are okay. If you're fostering a puppy older than 16 weeks, you should be all set but please check with your foster coordinator.