Foster Carers
Without our dedicated foster carers, we would not be able to rescue as many dogs as we do. You are saving a life by becoming a foster carer.
[ Become A Foster Carer ]
Foster carers are matched with a dog to suit their breed preferences and lifestyle. You will be asked to complete a Foster Care Application form and have a home check done, before we place a dog in your care.
There are all sorts of dogs needing rescue: purebreds, crossbreeds, puppies, middle-age and senior dogs. Foster carers take the rescue dog into their own home and treat it as they would their own.
As a foster carer you are asked to pay for food. Melbourne Dog Rescue provides all medical care, and makes the arrangements for rehoming. Your rescue dog will come to you desexed, vaccinated, wormed, heartworm treated. MDR also provide you with collar, lead and ID tag, with extra beds, bowls and toys supplied where needed.
If your foster dog is a breed that needs grooming, MDR will arrange an appointment for you to take your foster dog to be groomed. On arrival of your foster dog, you will be asked to sign a foster care agreement, which we will keep on file.
[ The Foster Carer's Role ]
As a foster carer you are asked to assess the dog in a home environment: These are just some of the things we ask our foster carers to assess:
- Is the dog house trained?
- Does the dog have basic manners?
- Does the dog walk well on lead?
- Is the dog suitable for children?
- Does the dog get along with other dogs?
- Does he get along with cats, and other animals?
- Does he need more training?
- Does he need to have another dog for company?
- Does the dog need someone who is home a lot of the time?
- Does the dog have any behavioural problems?
- What is his personality like?
- How eager is the dog to learn? Can he be motivated by food or praise?
Your foster dog can be with you from as little as a couple of days, to as long as a few months, depending on the dog. We ask that you be prepared to foster the rescue dog until a home is found.
As you know the dog best, foster carers are asked to meet potential adopters, with a Melbourne Dog Rescue Representative, and your input will be respected.
[ Back up And Support ]
Melbourne Dog Rescue provides 24 hour back up and support to all carers. We are only a phone call away. For special needs rescue dogs, we have a trainer available to answer your questions, and consult with you on how to deal with any behavioural issues.
If your foster dog requires veterinary attention, we ask that your consult your MDR representative, who will make an appointment with an approved veterinarian (we have several veterinarians who offer discounted rates for MDR dogs). However in case of an emergency, we expect you to take the dog to the closest vet for treatment, and contact your MDR representative as soon as possible.
[ Letting Go... ]
Sometimes a foster carer may be looking for a permanent dog of their own and are happy to foster a dog until the right one for them comes along. Many of our fosterers do end up adopting one of the dogs they care for. This is great, but the carer must still complete the appropriate paperwork and pay the rescue fee.
Some foster carers are tentative at first because they are concerned they will not be able to bear to part with any dog. As you meet the potential adopter of the dog in your care, you often realise they can provide that dog with something you can't more attention, more activities, a more suitable environment and you realise your dog will be going to a great home and you can now help another dog. Many adopters keep in touch and forward the occasional photo and news of your dog.
Consider foster caring. It will give you pleasure in the knowledge that you are helping to save a dog's life.
Please fill in our online Foster Carer Application Form here:
» Foster Carer Application Form
or if you feel more comfortable you may also email us for a Foster Carer Application Form:
