"I'm thinking about being a foster parent, tell me more!"

Together we can save babies like these who are sitting in shelters...

Thank you to Rodney Walters for creating the PDF version of our Application!

How long will I have the dog?

The length of time you foster a dog will depend on several factors. They may be in your home for a weekend or for a few months. Dogs for adoption are placed on our website while they are in foster homes. If a potential adopter is interested in meeting the dog, we will ask that the dog be available for a representative to pick up for meet/greets until you have been properly trained to do them yourself. Generally, adult dogs for adoption stay in foster families for a few weeks to a few months. Puppies a few weeks to a month. Sometimes there is the oddball puppy we do have a couple months, but this is not likely.

What supplies will Rugaz Rescue Inc. provide vs. what I have to provide?

Rugaz will provide supplies necessary for proper care of the dog, including but not limited to leashes/collars, crate, bowls, any needed specific items such as an easy walk harness, Vitamins, Medicines etc. If you have a nursing mother and puppies Rugaz will supply you with an X-Pen. In addition, monthly heartworm prevention, flea and tick treatment, and any necessary medications will be supplied. Rugaz is also covers all veterinary costs while dog is in Rugaz Rescue Inc. We request that you will supply appropriate food/treats and toys that are kept in your home for the foster dogs.

I would like to adopt a dog, but I'm not sure which one? Can I foster first to see if I like a particular dog?

Rugaz Rescue Inc.'s volunteers and trainers spend a great deal of time providing training and guidance to each foster family. Our hope is that the foster family realizes the personal satisfaction that comes from working with the dogs and the family wants to continue to foster a variety of dogs. We ask that prospective foster families view the foster family program with a degree of commitment. The Rugaz Rescue Inc. Adoption Committee makes every attempt to match approved families with appropriate dogs. Rugaz also has a trial period with adult dogs where families can make sure the dog is a fit for their family which is called "Foster to Adopt". There is no need to go through the foster family program to find a dog to adopt.

What can or what is expected of me with my foster dog?

Foster families start their foster dog on house training and basic obedience training. Foster families also provide valuable information about the dog's behavior in a home environment which helps us to match them with the best type of family. While the dogs receive one-on-one training in their foster homes, they also need to be socialized to as many environments and experiences as possible. Since these dogs will likely accompany their new family to public places such as stores, restaurants, and public transportation, it is important to expose the dogs in training to these experiences. Foster families are the dog's link to the outside world and they provide Rugaz trainers valuable feedback on how the dog behaves in public and the dog's willingness to work. Most older puppies to adult dogs are returned to shelters and rescue groups because they are not house broken or jump on visitors, so one of our main focuses for foster families to provide their dogs are House/Crate training skills and some basic obedience. If you need assistance with training your dog, our Positive Reinforcement trainer Joyce Moore is always readily available to assist you in any manner.

What if I have another dog or cat in the house?

Rugaz Rescue Inc. does place foster dogs in home with other animals on a case by case basis. For homes with other dogs, Rugaz will try to match the most dog tolerant/dog friendly dog in that home. Remember most of our dogs come from shelters with no background at all so when we asses them we may get a different reading when they are more comfortable in their foster home for a while. At that time we may reassess the dog to be moved to a different foster home. For homes with cats, foster dogs with appropriate behavior toward cats will be placed.



Will I receive training or instruction on how to work with the dog?

Persons interested in fostering a dog can start with puppies or adolescent dogs unless coming in with prior experience. Rugaz will provide assistance with basic training and house training. Foster families are strongly encouraged to attend obedience classes that we hold. At all times Joyce Moore is available and materials are provide for you for reference.

I'm afraid I'll get too attached to the dog to give him/her up.

We hope you enjoy your experience with each of your foster dogs. The experience and guidance you provide to each of your foster dogs gives them a greater chance to succeed in their new home or even better, to improve the reputation and change minds for the future of our breed. While it may be difficult to give up a foster dog, never lose sight of the fact that there is another dog waiting in the wings for your all-important training and guidance. Each dog you foster is one more dog that is given another chance at life. When you realize that, it becomes a little easier to return the dog to Rugaz to continue its life journey to its forever home.


"Saving one dog may not change your entire world,
but the entire world for that one dog has been saved!"

What if I decide it's too much, or I no longer want to foster?

If you have committed to taking on a foster dog, more then likely we are pulling a dog from Animal Services that is on death row for you. Which means, we do not have any other options as fosters for that dog at the present time. You will have to hold that foster dog until another spot opens or someone else agreed to take that dog on. If the new foster dog is a danger to your home, Rugaz will remove it immediately, but we cannot accommodate emergency foster switches. So this is the time the whole family has to discuss and decide if this is truly a commitment you want to undertake. If so, this is one of the most rewarding experiences of a life time. You will have saved a life so worth saving that would no longer be on this earth without you.