Fostering Pets?

Question

I just got satellite TV and Animal Planet, so I am watching various animal rescue programs. :)

My question is to those who have pets of their own and foster pets waiting for a new home. How does the frequent introduction of a non-permanent new pet influence the exsisting household balance? Is it something your pets get used to or do you go through the same transition periods that all regular pet owners experience 99% of the time when introducing a new pet? And how do the household pets react once the foster pet has left for its new home?

Answer 1

What a great question! And one that not all foster parents know the answer to.
We started fostering a little over a year ago. At the time we had four dogs of our own, of various breeds and age. The first foster we took in caused quite a bit of trouble in the house, just by being there, so we started learning, and quickly.

When we bring a foster in, we quarrantine usually for about two weeks. The main reason for this is any kind of contageous parasites or diseases. Kennel cough, fleas, whipworm, ringworm, you name it. The other reason is to get our pack used to having the new dog smell in the house without the confrontation.
We let the new foster meet our pack out in the yard, which could be considered more of a neutral ground. Once we get an idea how things are going to play out, we start feeding the new dog with the rest of the pack, but always last. We have a distinct pack order, and we follow it when we feed. They all eat in the same room, and food aggression is not allowed.
It takes about two weeks for the pack to sort itself out-some petty squabbles, nothing serious, but we allow the pack to make the decision of where every dog is placed in it. If we were to interfere too much, we could upset the balance of our own dogs, and then there would be some trouble.
We have had five or six foster dogs through our home in a year. We have also lost three of our own, from various reasons, and have adopted more. The pack is constantly changing, but the rules we have in place for behavior in our home makes it pretty easy to bring in new dogs without the fighting and aggression that can happen.
The only real difference we now notice is a little jealousy when it comes to attention or play time. We make sure everyone gets their own play time with us, and every dog gets their cuddles and pets. It is almost a full time job!
When a foster leaves, the pack kind of resorts itself for about a week, then everything settles down again.
We have seven dogs right now, varying in age from 1 1/2 to 10 years old. Four are minpins, one sheltie, one aussie mix, and one cattle dog. So you see it is completely possible to have order in the house with all different breeds. We have never had one incident that required a vet. (Knock on wood.)

Answer 2

Hi,
I work with the Humane Society and foster rescue dogs
from the shelter and have had about 12- 14 in my home
in the last year. My dogs seem to accept the new dogs
as long as they are introduced properly.

They do play and get somewhat attached, however,
when the foster dogs adopt out my dogs don't seem to
mind. I guess they are happy to get more attention.

The main conern in fostering is bringing any disease into
your home. Make sure that your animals are current
on their shots.

It is a very rewarding experience to know that you have
saved a life and hopefully the animals are in their
new home for life.

Lynda

Answer 3

When you get a new foster, the introduction can be tricky. You have to introduce them slowly to allow time for your dogs to adjust and accept them into the pack to avoid fighting or disruption of the pack. Other than that though, they really couldn't care less. They don't mind the new addition in the least, nor do they really seem to mind when they are gone. I think they like the playmate and the companionship, but I also think because I have more than 1 dog, losing one doesn't matter so much. I think if you only had 1 dog and fostered, they would grieve the loss of the foster more.

Answer 4

I think this depends on the pet you have in your house.

I am assuming you're talking about dogs, because you posted this in the dog section. I am considering fostering a dog next year. I have a three and a half year old recently adopted Border Collie living in my house, as well as four other people, two cats, a bird and a fish. I seriously doubt the fish will notice if a new dog enters and exits the house on a monthly to yearly basis, but the other pets sure will.

In my opinion, my dog wouldn't really care about the new dog- she would only be interested in herding it. The cats would be terrified for the first few days, then realize that this is as much fun as the last time we got a new dog. I have pets that don't bond to other pets. We do have one cat that was bonded to a dog we used to own, but he was euthanized after he couldn't walk (or eliminate) on his own due to a spinal defect. When he was gone, we adopted a new kitten for the older cat to have as company. She still hasn't forgiven us.

I'd just say it is something your pets (and you) get used to.

Answer 5

I have 4 dogs of my own and I am currently fostering 4 dogs. Each time I bring a new foster dog home I introduce them slowly to my "permanent" pack. Sometimes we have aggression issues and sometimes we don't. It's a delicate procedure that we do not take lightly. We thoroughly enjoy fostering and although we miss our foster dogs when they go to their forever homes, we have peace in knowing that they are in a new, loving environment for the rest of their lives. Our permanent dogs really don't seem to miss the foster dogs once they are gone.

Answer 6

My mom fosters cats and dogs....right now we have 4 7 wk old german shepard, black lab, chow mix puppies. We have a black lab chow mix ,Panda,that is 7 mths old and she has acted like a mommy to the puppies. to the point where she lets them nurse off of her.....the momma of the babies comes to the house tomorrow and well were not sure how Panda will react to the momma dog.....but when we bring new dogs to the house we always put the older dogs in the yard and then bring the new dog in and bring him out on the leash to let the other dogs sniff them....usually the cats are nothing they dont bother.....but after about 5 min of sniffing the dogs are fine and playing like the dog was here forever.....when the foster pets get adopted our own dogs definately know and depending on whether they liked the dog or not depends on how they are....Like panda when the puppies get adopted shes going to be heartbroken cuz they are "her" puppies.....but our other dogs are too old and stupid to care lol....we have a 10 yr old cocker spaniel and an 8 yr old golden retriever....but they know when the dogs are gone.....

Answer 7

You have to go through an "entrance" and "exit" quarantine procedure with any new pet you bring into the house. You can allow a certain level of cross-socialization, but animals that are going to be permanent members of the family need to know that their status within the pack is secure. This is a delicate thing, not to be rushed into....