GSROR FOSTER GUIDELINES
RULES AND REGULATIONS

German Shepherd Rescue of the Rockies (GSROR) would not exist without the help and support of volunteers. We are in desperate need for of foster homes. There are many German Shepherd Dogs (GSD’s) waiting to be rescued, but we can only help if we have a place for them to stay. We ask that you take the time to read about our program and fill out our Foster Application. A volunteer of the rescue will then contact you to discuss any questions you may have.

The way our foster program works is that we ask you to take our rescued dog into your home and treat them as a family member. We would like the dog to stay in the same foster home until adoption. We do try to fit the dog to your home but If the dog cannot adjust to your lifestyle, we will not ask you to keep them because it would not be fair for all involved. For the protection of other pet members and your personal property, we do require that you crate the dog until they become use to their new environment. If you do not own a crate, we will provide one. Everything your foster dog needs will be provided to you.

Our goal is to help the dog become adoptable so they can keep their forever home. Foster dogs should never be left alone with other pets or children or left unattended in the fenced back yard. GSROR will be responsible for all vetting your foster dog may need. If there is a medical issue, contact your foster coordinator who will provide a list of vets you can take your foster dog to. Any appointments will only be allowed after talking with the coordinator and the chosen vet has been given permission to treat. We always welcome donations if you are able to help with your foster dog’s vet bills but this is not a requirement to foster for us.

GSROR will not be responsible for any personal property or possessions damaged by your foster dog. If you have problems with your foster dog and are willing to rehab the dog, contact GSROR for guidance and training assistance. When GSROR has an approved applicant, a volunteer with the rescue will make arrangements with you to show the dog, so we can accommodate everyone’s schedule.

Our Requirements to foster for us are:

• You must be at least 21 years of age.
• You must complete an Application to Foster.
• We prefer that you have GSD experience, if not, we will work with you.
• No small dogs. (preferred)
• No toddlers. (preferred)
• A fenced-in yard or multiple walks on leash for bathroom breaks and exercise will be required.
  Not away from home for long hours, excluding work hours.

GUIDELINES TO HELP INSURE A POSITIVE FOSTER EXPERIENCE

• GSROR will help you introduce your foster dog to other family pets if you need our assistance. We will bring the dog to your home and at the same time do our home inspection.
• GSROR dogs will have a collar with a rescue ID tag and we require the collar be left on them at all times.
• The Foster Coordinator will remain involved with you and the progress your foster dog is making until they are adopted and will also be available to you for any problems or concerns you may have.
• When available we can make arrangements for one of our volunteers to come to your home to help with any behavior issues you may be experiencing or advise you on obedience training.
• Understand that there is no set time that you could have this dog before getting adopted. You may have your foster dog as little as a few days or as long as necessary to find the right home, possibly up to 1 year. There is a home out there for every dog and sometimes it takes us a little longer to find the right home.
• If at any time you can no longer foster the dog placed in your care, simply contact the Foster Coordinator who will make arrangements for the dog’s return. We ask that you give us at least a week’s notice to make other arrangements for another foster home.
• We will provide you with as much information about the dog as we can, but please understand that shelter dogs picked up as strays come with very little or no information at all. This is when we depend on the foster homes to let us know about the dog and all of their behavior traits, good or bad. The more time you can give your foster dog in areas of socialization and training, and the more you get to know them, the easier you make it for us to find the perfect home. It would benefit GSROR if you could expose them to a variety of experiences, such as car rides, finding out if they swim or play in water, are interested in toys, etc.
• While in your care this dog cannot be placed with anyone outside of your home. This dog is your responsibility and needs to reside in your home at all times. If you are planning a trip but want to continue to foster this dog, we will make arrangements to board them until you return, unless of course a permanent home is found while you are gone.
• You may not take your foster dog to public dog parks. For it is an extreme liability to the rescue. They are in your home to learn house manners and for you to observe their behavior. When you foster we are asking that you get to know them so we can find the right home for them.
• It is not your responsibility to find a home for your foster dog, so please do not set up appointments for people to meet them. If you know someone interested in your foster dog then they will need to fill out an application and be approved by GSROR before meeting the dog.
• Once we find a good match, you will be asked to speak with the approved applicant, after the initial interview, and get back to us on your opinion about the family before we move forward; your thoughts are greatly appreciated in this decision. We want what is best for the dog and hope to ensure permanent placement. When the time comes to show your foster dog, a volunteer of GSROR will assist you with the showing. Your opinion when we are showing your foster dog comes first and foremost and your evaluation on whether or not you think this is the right home will be taken into consideration.
• Foster homes are a temporary home for the dog until we find their forever family. We do not accept fostering as a way to “try the dog out” as a foster before you commit to them for adoption. It is too hard on the dog and is not fair to the volunteers that are trying to place the dog or the people that have submitted an adoption application. If you fall in love with your foster dog and you want to be his forever home, you will be given first consideration, but we will still consider the other applicants. Our goal is to place the dog in the home that best fits their needs with people that have submitted an adoption application for that dog. We will discuss with you the other homes that may be a possibility for the dog and together we can make the best decision for the dog.
• We understand that it is incredibly difficult to let a dog go that has become part of your family, but please make sure that your decision to keep them is not based solely on emotions but what is best for the dog. If the adoption committee agrees the dog is in the right home then it will be necessary for you to go through our normal adoption process. You will need to be interviewed to verify that this dog and your family are a good match as we do with all applicants. Then you will need to sign the adoption contract and pay the required adoption fee before the dog becomes your new family member. If the board feels there is a more appropriate home then the dog may be moved from your house, this may sound harsh and unfair but hopefully you will understand what our goals are concerning our dogs in rescue.
• Some of our dogs are placed in “foster-to adopt” programs and this will be set up on an individual bases per dog BEFORE bringing the dog into your home. Most times the person interested has submitted an adoption application and during the interview are told about the dogs problems and they are willing to help with the dog’s issues. These cases are for the dogs that have specific needs that will be discussed during the interview. These dogs require either behavior or medical care and the foster agrees to work with the dog and GSROR to help the dog. If after a minimum of a 2 week foster stay with you, you will be given the opportunity to adopt or to continue to foster for GSROR. If you decide to adopt then you will be expected to sign the contract, pay the adoption fee and they will join your family forever. If you decide that you can not help the dog with his issues, then we hope that you will continue to foster until we can place him in his forever home. If you can not, you will need to make arrangements to have him returned to the rescue.
• While in your care you are completely responsible for any actions of the dog and can not hold GSROR responsible. We require that you read and sign the foster contract.
• If you truly want to foster one of our dogs and have no prior experience, we will arrange for you to spend time with one of our volunteers who will teach handling and training techniques unique to this breed prior to fostering a dog.

We sincerely appreciate your interest in helping GSROR by opening up your home, family and hearts to help a dog in need. Rescues would not exist if not for the kindness and generosity of others.

We require that you read and sign the foster contract.

Next step is to fill out the Foster Application.