We are building a network of passionate, senior-loving foster homes.The Senior Dog Sanctuary of Maryland attempts to place some of our seniors in a foster home that is well- suited to their needs. Fostering is a very rewarding experience and allows for another senior to be rescued by SDS. Communication with the Foster Coordinator is essential; including any health, behavior, food and medication concerns or needs. The foster is responsible for providing a loving home environment, taking the dog to veterinarian visits if needed and attending adoption events once a month. SDS financially covers the food, medications and medical bills.
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FOSTER PROCESS:
Step #1 - The Foster Application
The Foster Application can be completed online and must be filled out completely, including vet references and two personal non-family references. Once you submit the foster application, it is sent to the Foster Coordinator for review.
Step #2- Attending Foster Training Class
After the Foster Coordinator reviews your application, you will be contacted about the next foster training class. Applications will not be processed until the applicant attends the foster training class, which explains our process and procedures before committing to foster for SDS.
Step #3 – Processing your Foster Application
Once the Applicant completes the training class, they will be contacted by the Foster Coordinator to see if they would like to continue the process of fostering for SDS. If the applicant would like to proceed, the application will be assigned to one of our team members and your references and veterinarian will be contacted. In order to speed up the process, please contact your veterinarian and references to let them know to expect our call.
Step #4 - The Home Visit
A home visit is an important part of the process to ensure that your home is a suitable, safe environment for your foster. All pets and family members should be home at this time. The home visit will give our team member an opportunity to learn more specifics about you, your family, your pets and the type of foster that best fits into your home.
Step #5 – Approval Process
Once you are approved to foster, you will be contacted by the Foster Coordinator. The SDS team will suggest dogs that will best fit your home and lifestyle. All the foster family members that live in the home are required to meet the suggested fosters. Please be aware that dogs only go immediately into foster care if there is an urgent medical need, otherwise they typically spend a few weeks at SDS before going into the foster program. Once your family has decided on a dog, you will be required to sign the foster agreement before taking the dog home. If you have pets of your own, an SDS team member will schedule a time to bring the foster to your home for introductions with your pets. If your pets and the foster introductions go well, the foster will stay. If introductions don’t go well, then we can try another suggested dog for your home.
We do not have a foster-to-adopt program. If you fall in love with your foster and would like to adopt, you can let the Foster Coordinator know before potential adopters meet the dog.
The Foster Application can be completed online and must be filled out completely, including vet references and two personal non-family references. Once you submit the foster application, it is sent to the Foster Coordinator for review.
Step #2- Attending Foster Training Class
After the Foster Coordinator reviews your application, you will be contacted about the next foster training class. Applications will not be processed until the applicant attends the foster training class, which explains our process and procedures before committing to foster for SDS.
Step #3 – Processing your Foster Application
Once the Applicant completes the training class, they will be contacted by the Foster Coordinator to see if they would like to continue the process of fostering for SDS. If the applicant would like to proceed, the application will be assigned to one of our team members and your references and veterinarian will be contacted. In order to speed up the process, please contact your veterinarian and references to let them know to expect our call.
Step #4 - The Home Visit
A home visit is an important part of the process to ensure that your home is a suitable, safe environment for your foster. All pets and family members should be home at this time. The home visit will give our team member an opportunity to learn more specifics about you, your family, your pets and the type of foster that best fits into your home.
Step #5 – Approval Process
Once you are approved to foster, you will be contacted by the Foster Coordinator. The SDS team will suggest dogs that will best fit your home and lifestyle. All the foster family members that live in the home are required to meet the suggested fosters. Please be aware that dogs only go immediately into foster care if there is an urgent medical need, otherwise they typically spend a few weeks at SDS before going into the foster program. Once your family has decided on a dog, you will be required to sign the foster agreement before taking the dog home. If you have pets of your own, an SDS team member will schedule a time to bring the foster to your home for introductions with your pets. If your pets and the foster introductions go well, the foster will stay. If introductions don’t go well, then we can try another suggested dog for your home.
We do not have a foster-to-adopt program. If you fall in love with your foster and would like to adopt, you can let the Foster Coordinator know before potential adopters meet the dog.