Foster F.A.Q.

Yes! We cannot always cat test dogs before coming to us but we can have a dog cat-tested for serious inquiries in fostering. We are unable to test dogs with kids.

Of course you can! We just ask that you do not foster a FTF dog with a dog from another rescue at the same time.

Please contact our foster coordinator. If they do not answer the call, please send a text message and inform them of what is happening, in as much detail as possible. Do not take your dog to the vet, or contact our veterinary partners, without prior permission.

Please contact our foster coordinator right away! If they do not answer the call, please send a text message and inform them of when, where and how they got out. Include when was the last time you saw them. Once the contacts have been made to FTF, contact the local police and inform them the dog is missing and then go and search for the dog. Please keep your phone on you and keep us informed of any updates. Volunteers will come out and help.

Separate right away. Then contact our foster coordinator and they will give you advice on what to do. If needed, we will attempt to find another foster but that may take days to weeks as our facility is usually full.

FTF does not provide walking services or daycare for any foster dogs.

Let our foster coordinator know ahead of time. Never last minute. We will either arrange for your foster pup to stay with a temporary foster, or at our facility. Please let us know at least 1-2 weeks ahead of time to ensure arrangements can be made.If you find other arrangements on your own, please let us know so that we can get the proper paperwork filled out. Once this is done, that person will be able to pup sit any time with any foster.

Contact our foster coordinator with what you need, and we will get you it all ready.

It really depends on the dog and public, there is no set time frame for this. You will have a dog for at least 7 - 10 days to make sure they are healthy. We have had foster have their fosters from seven days to two years.

Yes! We post training classes that you can attend weekly in our Facebook group.

You can! We just ask that you let us know within the first 2 weeks of having the dog. As soon as you have any feeling about possibly adopting, let your foster buddy know.

We will post weekly when adoption events happen and will ask if your foster is available to attend.

A handler/transport can be requested, when needed. When the post is made, you will let our Adoption Show Coordinator know your request. We encourage dogs to come to the adoption shows.

Only if the adoption is scheduled before the event. Meet and greets with everyone in the home must to be done before the adoption.

Reach out to applications within 48 hours of receiving. CC the animal care coordinator on all email correspondance.This is a great time to notify the applicants of any medical issue If the applicant replies and did not reply all, make sure to add your buddy back in.Meets can start as soon as the dog receives their first round of shots. It is okay to do meets before the spay/neuter is scheduled. If there is another dog, please be careful!If you are not moving forward with the application, please let them know Meet and greets MUST be done if you move forward with the applicant(s).Initial meets with another dog should be done on neutral grounds, and on leash.Meets can be done at ARC outside of shift hours.Please let an animal care coordinator know if a meet is being done.If you are uncomfortable doing your own meets at this time, please let an animal care coordinator know. They can help or will ask another volunteer to help. Contact vet (if one is listed and they have had pets) and references. Set up a time and place for the adoption.You can do this with your foster buddy, or post in the Facebook group.Please ask for multiple days and times, as not everyone is not always available at one time.Petsmart off Barrington Rd in Schaumburg, Petco in Wood Dale, and outside the Hut in Wood Dale are all available locations for adoptions.Inform the adopters of any medical issues before the adoption REMINDER: CC an animal care coordinator on all emails to keep them informed.

ID with current address if address is different, bring a piece of mail. CASH OR CHECK, unless they are using Zelle.Adoption cannot be processed if no payment.LEASH AND COLLAR, and a harness, if they have it.

Nope! Our Animal Care Coordinators will be here to assist, along with a whole community of volunteers with a breadth of experience. We have a Facebook group where fosters can share resources, as well.

(Q)Is fostering a Heartworm positive dog contagious to my own pet? (A)Heartworm disease is not contagious between pets - it is only spread through the bite of a mosquito. We still recommend your pet should be on heartworm and flea/tick preventatives for their own protection from bugs that can spread disease/parasites, but your pet will be safe with a HW positive foster friend.(Q)Is fostering a dog with a positive fecal something my own pet will catch? Do I need to bring in a fecal everytime I foster a dog? (A)Fecals positive for parasites are common in rescue since so many dogs have been on their own, eating and drinking whatever they could find. Most intestinal parasites are prevented by keeping your dog up to date on their monthly preventatives. As long as you take safety precautions such as quickly cleaning up when your foster does his/her business, washing your hands well after handling fecal matter, and making sure your pet doesn't eat their foster friend’s doo-doo, your pet should be fine!(Q)If I foster a dog that has kennel cough will my dog catch it or what precautions should I take? (A)The bordetella vaccine helps prevent kennel cough, and it is typically recommended for dogs that interact with other pups from outside their household (for example, dogs who attend daycare, doggie parks, or boarding); we suggest talking to your vet about providing your pet with the vaccine prior to fostering. Kennel cough is contagious between dogs like the common cold is with humans. Other precautions you can take include what you would do with humans who have the sniffles: separating your foster from your pet while they are on antibiotics, and practicing good hygiene by cleaning surfaces, and washing your hands frequently especially after interacting with your foster.