ARE THERE REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A FOSTER?
All foster applicants must be at least 21 years of age and reside within our adoption area- which includes New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and South Carolina.
HOW LONG IS A FOSTER COMMITMENT?
The average stay for a HIPster is about 2-3 weeks, but this can vary depending on the dog’s age, breed, size, and other factors. When you agree to foster a dog with HIP, you commit to caring for the dog until they find their forever home.
If you have a time limit (for example, you can only foster for three weeks), please let us know as soon as possible so we can find another foster home. Also, please let your foster coordinator know if you need a more extended break from fostering. We understand that this is a challenging job!
WHAT TYPE OF SUPPORT WILL I RECEIVE?
All foster parents are added to our private Facebook group, a wonderful community where you will share photos, experiences, and ask advice from seasoned foster parents.
You will receive our comprehensive foster manual after completing our online orientation and registration process.
Our in-house trainers are readily available to guide and support you every step of the way, offering personalized training suggestions, behavior tips, and encouragement whenever you need it. You’ll never be on your own; our team is always just a message away to help you and your foster dog thrive.
WHAT AM I EXPECTED TO PROVIDE?
We ask that you provide food, water, shelter, walks, basic training (and love!), but you are not responsible for medical care costs.
You can help your foster dog get off to the right start by teaching and implementing acceptable manners – including house training, walking on a leash, deterring jumping, mouthing, barking, chewing, etc.
We also ask that fosters provide photos and updated information to keep our dogs’ bios accurate (this is integral to making their adoption process the best it can be).
• PHOTOS SAVE LIVES
One of the most essential things a foster can do is help us promote their foster dog. Clear, up-to-date photos are the first thing potential adopters see, and often what gets them noticed. Fosters must be willing to take and share good-quality photos regularly. This is a crucial part of helping them get adopted.
DECOMPRESSION & CRATE RULES
Fosters must also be willing to follow our decompression protocols to help animals adjust safely and successfully to their new environment. This includes using crates — a crate provides safety, structure, and a sense of calm, especially in the early days.
DO YOU COVER VET BILLS?
Hounds in Pounds covers all essential vet costs for our dogs, and we have several vet partners who work with us to provide them with the best possible care. If you are fostering and have a question about medical care, please contact our Foster Coordinator immediately.
DOES MY FOSTER DOG HAVE TO BE CRATED?
Your foster dog will always be crated inside when you are not home or unsupervised. This is for the health and safety of your foster dog and other pets who may be in the house and for the protection of your home. You are responsible for supervising your foster dog when it is not in the safety of a crate.
Regardless of how well-behaved or friendly your foster dog may be, it should NEVER be left alone unsupervised with other pets or children.
If you have a multi-dog household, please always supervise dogs when toys or treats are available – even some of the friendliest dogs don’t like to share! Your foster dog should also never be left outside alone or with other dogs.
We do NOT allow our foster dogs to play at dog parks for safety and health reasons. Remember: Do not set your foster dog up for failure; always set them up for success!
HAS MY FOSTER DOG SEEN A VET?
Every dog has been fully vetted, spayed/neutered, dewormed, and chipped. HIP dogs come from animal control facilities or other environments where they commonly contract “kennel cough” or other illnesses. Dogs from our vet’s office are quarantined with our vet for at least ten days.
DO I GET TO CHOOSE MY FOSTER DOG?
Our team strategically matches you with a foster dog based on your application. We consider your age/breed/size preference before matching you with a dog. Our ultimate goal is to find the best foster home for our dogs. If you refuse three consecutive foster dog offers in 6 months, we will remove you from our active foster roster.
I ALREADY HAVE A DOG. CAN I STILL FOSTER?
Yes, you can still foster if you have a resident dog as long as your dog is updated on vaccines and is altered. You won’t be able to meet your foster dog in advance, but Hounds in Pounds will always make a conscious effort to match you with a foster that we feel you and your dog could do well with. Our team will help you take all necessary steps to ensure you and the dogs stay safe and comfortable.
CAN I ADOPT MY FOSTER DOG?
We do not offer foster-to-adopt, except in very rare cases involving behavioral or medical issues. To protect the stability of our program, new foster families are not eligible to adopt their foster dogs.
Since we don’t have a physical shelter, our foster homes are vital to saving lives; we rely on them to help dogs in need, not just one at a time.
After successfully fostering three dogs through adoption, families may become eligible to adopt a future HIPster. If your goal is to adopt, we encourage you to apply directly and keep an eye out for your perfect match, as foster placements are assigned based on need.
CAN MY FAMILY, FRIENDS, OR NEIGHBORS ADOPT MY FOSTER DOG?
If someone you know is interested in adopting your foster dog, please direct them to our website and encourage them to apply for pre-approved adoption. Please note that our Adoptions Team cannot expedite applications for friends or family of our fosters. Because our application process takes time, the dog may be adopted before your friend or family member is approved to adopt. The adoption Team will happily work with them on finding their forever dog.
Do you have a question that isn’t answered above? Contact us!