As a foster-based CT rescue, we always need fosters to give our dogs a temporary place to rest their heads
We rely on foster families to provide dogs a home before they get adopted. As a dog foster parent, you help us offer the dogs a second chance at finding their forever family. Submit our foster application now to help save lives. We promise, fostering will forever change yours in the most wonderful way.
Fostering literally saves lives
The rewards of fostering are personal and immeasurable. You are literally helping save a dog’s life by taking another dog in a home and opening a spot for us to save another.
Get full support from an experienced team
Every foster has a foster coordinator who helps them pick the right dog to foster and provides support. Our rescue provides absolutely everything you need – you just provide a loving, temporary home.
Get dogs home-ready
Giving a dog a temporary home allows us to know more about them in order to best match them with the right family. Your input about the dog is invaluable to our rescue and their future family.
This varies greatly, depending on the individual dog. The duration can range from a few days to several months, with an average stay of just a few weeks. We ask that foster parents commit to fostering a dog until the dog is adopted. It is extremely stressful for a dog to be moved around once they are in a foster home. This is all coordinated through the foster’s individual Foster Coordinator.
This varies greatly, depending on the individual dog. The duration can range from a few days to several months, with an average stay of just a few weeks. We ask that foster parents commit to fostering a dog until the dog is adopted. It is extremely stressful for a dog to be moved around once they are in a foster home. This is all coordinated through the foster’s individual Foster Coordinator.
Our Foster team will notify all fosters what dogs are currently needing a foster. Fosters will then reach out to their Foster Coordinator to confirm interest and the Foster Coordinator will let the foster know if that dog is a match for that foster family. Just like the adoption process, we want to do our best to match the right foster dog with the right foster family to set you and the dog up for success during their stay with you.
Foster parents provide a loving home, patience, basic training, exercise and socialization for their dog. DSR provides the veterinary care, a leash/harness, all food, treats, toys, a crate, bedding and medication if applicable to the fosters for their foster dog. We do not want you to incur any expenses.
The process starts once we’ve received your completed foster application. We’ll then provide you with additional information on our rescue and the foster program.
There may be an opportunity to adopt, however there is no guarantee that you will be able to adopt your Foster Dog as we do not have a foster to adopt program. Dogs are marketed to potential adopters weeks before arriving in CT and in most cases, have several potential matches before you meet the dog. You will learn more about the process during the foster onboarding.
Photos and stories of all adoptable animals in foster homes are posted on our social media channels, on Petfinder.com, on Adoptapet.com, and many other websites. DSR also schedules weekly adoption events which are at our Bloomfield CT headquarters or the metro Hartford area. Foster parents can also help promote their foster dog to their family, friends, colleagues and the general public through their own social media channels, flyers, emails and even just by walking the foster dog in local neighborhoods with an “Adopt Me” bandana provided by DSR.
Yes, you can still foster an animal living in a small environment. Many of our animals need one-on-one socialization, so a small space can be beneficial. However, it’s important that the dog selected is the appropriate animal for your lifestyle and are willing to commit to providing the foster dog with the needed physical and mental stimulation. It is your accountability to meet any landlord approval or association requirements.
Fostering is a wonderful family experience and can build a foundation of love for animals in your children. You must also be diligent about providing guidance, instructions and rules to your children about caring for a foster dog. With that in mind, we generally do not encourage fostering for families with very young children.
Yes! It is important to understand how to properly manage multiple pets during the introduction period (the first few weeks a foster is in your home). This topic will be covered during your training and you can navigate this with your Foster Coordinator and our Behavior team as needed. We are here to help!
No, but it is one of the most efficient and effective ways to house train a puppy or re-train an adult dog. Some dogs do not like crates initially, and most dogs need to be transitioned or “trained” to use a crate, so it’s up to the foster parent to decide whether to crate or not. Putting the dog in a crate while you are gone will give you peace of mind knowing that they are in a safe place, away from harm, and not doing any damage to your belongings or themselves. For many dogs, a crate can also represent a safe and comfortable place to call their own and provides them with a sense of security. Many dogs actually like having a “den” to cuddle up in. Crating should never be used as punishment.
No, but you may be asked to dispense medicine to your foster animal so you will have to be comfortable following veterinarian’s instructions if fostering a sick or injured animal. Your foster dog will be seen by our veterinarian before coming to your home.
We prefer that foster parents continue to foster until we find a permanent home for their foster. However, we understand that situations change and it may become necessary to discontinue fostering an animal.
No. You are not allowed to take any foster dog from DSR to an off-leash dog park.
No, that’s where our marketing and screening team come in. But we do need your help. Once a qualified applicant is identified, you will be asked to schedule a meet and greet with your foster and the potential adopter. This can take place at our Bloomfield CT headquarters or any other mutually agreeable location. Your quick response and then final input on the potential adopter is critical to finding a great match. We also will need your foster dog to attend our weekly adoption events.
Often, a foster parent will find a perfect match through their own network of friends, family and colleagues. DSR greatly welcomes these referrals! If you think you have found a perfect forever home for your foster animal, remember they still must go through the application process and be approved by the screener.
Commitment and responsibilities depend on the individual animal and situation. It’s essential that foster parents understand that dogs may be stressed and transporting an animal to the foster home is also very stressful and emotional.
Many of the dogs in the rescue are “adolescent” dogs between the age of 6 months and 2 years. They typically have a lot of energy and require vigorous daily exercise. This means at least a 30-45 minute brisk walk/run in the morning and again in the afternoon, with plenty of play time in between. Older dogs may only need a morning and evening stroll.
Foster parents may have to transport their foster animals to the vet during regular business hours.
Commitment and responsibilities depend on the individual animal and situation. It’s essential that foster parents understand that dogs may be stressed and transporting an animal to the foster home is also very stressful and emotional.
Many of the dogs in the rescue are “adolescent” dogs between the age of 6 months and 2 years. They typically have a lot of energy and require vigorous daily exercise. This means at least a 30-45 minute brisk walk/run in the morning and again in the afternoon, with plenty of play time in between. Older dogs may only need a morning and evening stroll.
Foster parents may have to transport their foster animals to the vet during regular business hours.
Communication with your Foster Coordinator and the Adoption Team member will improve the the accuracy of information to be transmitted to potential adopters. Be the foster’s positive advocate! In addition, we love to get regular photos of your dog so we can continue to keep our marketing of that dog fresh. You can also give a foster dog additional exposure by telling friends and family about her will help create a “network effect” and will speed up the process of finding a forever home. Simple steps like taking a foster dog on walks in local parks, outdoor shopping areas and other high traffic areas will help find potential adopters. Social media outlets like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok also work well.
Our foster dogs benefit greatly from exercise (with the exception of those with some medical conditions), basic positive reinforcement training, special love and attention you give them. While marketing provides you with applicants, it’s always the dog that “closes the deal.” Shy dogs will benefit from your patience, routine and slowly exposing them to new people to build their confidence. Rambunctious adolescents who learn good manners will help show off their trainability and long term potential.