Would you consider giving and getting more love in your life? Would you open your home and heart to a dog in need? Would you love to have a dog but can't commit to 15 yrs of care right now, or to all the expenses that may come with a dog? Would you like to "try" bringing a dog into your home with an option to make him yours forever if it is a match made in heaven? Do you have experience with dogs; especially when it comes to lesser behavioural or health issues?

If you said YES to ANY of the above questions;

we should talk about fostering!

Foster homes and the families involved are the backbone of rescue! Without them, we turn down pleas for needy dogs EVERYDAY! It is always rewarding, often amusing, frequently challenging, occasionally heartbreaking, seldom easy and consistently one the most worthwhile experiences you may ever know.

We have dogs needing fostering that would be smoothly placed with a foster provider with minimal experience, and others that will need a dog savvy caregiver. There are some puppies that will need patience galore as they learn the rules of the roost, and others that will stroll in as if they've lived in a nice home all their lives. There will be those that hide under a table for weeks, and others that come bounding in licking hands and faces of all they meet. There are some that will need an hour plus of running each day to drain their energy, and others that will sleep by your feet 16 hours a day.

Not much is consistent with fostering, but a few things that almost always occur are; accidents in the house (many dogs we get have never been in a home before and even previously homed dogs may regress with the stress of the changes in their lives), jealousy or irritation between your existing pets (and family members), and a change in your decor with extra beds and crates and gates in your home. But along with these come hours of joy and laughter, quiet cuddles and crazy zoomies. Then there are the tears that come the first time a terrified dog actually walks over to be with you, or the first time an injured dog runs across the yard, or the first time (or every time) you realize that you have done such a great job with your foster, that he is now moving on to his furever home.

Fosters stay in care for two weeks to several months depending on their needs. This commitment includes taking them to vets and trainers as needed, as well as including them in your family and daily routine. They often require socializing with dogs and people, so bringing them to new environments regularly is a must. They often need to be taught basics commands like come, sit, stay and how to walk nicely on leash...some even need to be shown how to manage stairs or that car-rides are a good thing! In exchange for what you provide, Island Dogz will provide you with leash, collar, ID tag, crate and other supplies as needed. We pay for any medical care the dogs require. We would appreciate your provision of high quality kibble, but we can also help with that if it is an obstacle. We provide our foster providers with training and support, and are only an email away to answer questions.

YOU also make the choice how involved you wish to be. Some fosters choose to remain anonymous and in the background...others jump right in and join in many aspects of the rescue. Whatever you are called to do! We will never expect you to take on a dog or a task you are not comfortable with. You will not ever be asked to deal with potential adopters or have them visit the dog at your location; that is your private home and that will be respected. We do ask that you keep notes about the dog's progress, and observances of temperament, behaviour, energy level, favorite things etc. If you and the adopter wish to have email contact to aide in the transition of a dog, please do.

If this still sounds like something you want to be a

part of (and gosh I hope I haven't scared anyone away already ;), we should talk about fostering!

There are a few misconceptions about fostering we'd like to clear up...

1> Foster dogs all have major issues that made them unwanted in the first place. Many dogs that end up in shelters locally are there due to no fault of their own, other than they grew, or shed, or needed to be walked and fed. Many of the dogs from Taiwan had nothing before they came into care...so they are just joyful to have a comfy home, good food and most importantly, love!

2> Foster dogs are all large breeds. Dogs of all sizes end up needing rescue; many dogs in Taiwan are in the 20-40lb range

3> Foster dogs bring health risks to your own animals. The dogs have full checks and immunizations before they are placed in care. As long as your pets are immunized, they are safe from most illnesses. Keeping the dogs separate if one is ill, keeping feces picked up in the yard, maintaining ear care and parasite control will assist in keeping everyone in good shape.

4>You won't be able to let the dog go when it gets adopted. You WILL get attached to your foster dog, we would be disappointed if you didn't, but the joy of sending off a happy secure pup that you helped become that way, is an incredible reward. Knowing that when that dog is adopted, you can help another, is enough to make the goodbye sweeter! You also have the knowledge that Island Dogz careful screens its potential adopters, including home and references checks. We also get email updates and photos from the new families to help us feel the continued connection.

5> You'll have to change your whole lifestyle and routine. Well, this one is kind of true, but not totally. We WANT the dogs to become part of YOUR routine. They may complicate your life, bring some clutter and maybe takeover your spare room... but they give back so much more than they take

and the biggest misconception at all...

6> The dog will do just fine without your involvement. Rescues get desperate pleas EVERYDAY for dogs that will be euthanized if we can't take them... and we do have to say no...OFTEN. With your help we can YES more often!

If you are still reading and thinking....we should definitely talk about fostering!

please email info@islanddogz.com