What's it look like to Foster a member of The Thriving Dog family?

If you are interested in helping but are unable to adopt, or if you are unsure whether dog ownership is right for you, we welcome you to consider becoming a foster. All of our dogs are housed in private foster homes, which allows our Thrivers to acclimate into a home environment and their true personality to develop and shine. Our team is adept in finding the right foster dog for you based on your needs and the needs of others in your home. We rely on our fosters to relay valuable information about the dog’s temperament to assist us in matching them with the best possible adopter. We can assist in providing food, supplies, and vet care at one of our approved vets while the dog is in foster care.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the foster program work?

The first step in becoming a foster is the completion of our foster application. We will then conduct a home check with you and discuss which of our dogs are in need of fostering. Once you take in a foster, you are responsible for providing care on a daily basis, safety from all harm, shelter, water, food, and, of course, love. The Thriving Dog requires that our foster dogs live primarily indoors unless supervised. The Thriving Dog provides all veterinary care and covers medical costs from our approved veterinary clinics.

How long will I have to the foster dog in my care?

Ideally, we would love for our dogs to stay in the care of one foster home until their adoption is finalized. The length of time a dog stays in foster care is varies, as we do our best to ensure the dog is matched with the correct guardian. If you have a finite period of time available to foster, or if you have upcoming work or travel commitments, please share this with us so that we can work together to plan for alternative care.

I already have a dog. Can I still foster?

Yes! We are happy to discuss the needs of your current dog with you prior to welcoming a foster into your home. Your dog(s) must be up to date on vaccinations before welcoming a Thriving Dog into your home.

Can I take my foster dog to the dog park, social gatherings, or other outings for off-leash play?

For liability purposes, we ask that all dogs belonging to our organization do not engage in off-leash play with other dogs other than your own. Fosters may not bring their foster dogs to the dog park as we are unable to ensure proper introductions with other dogs outside of our organization. All dogs belonging to The Thriving Dog should remain on leash when outside of the foster’s home.

Can I adopt my foster dog?

Yes! We understand that fostering is an emotional process and it’s easy to become bonded to your foster dog. However, you must go through the same adoption and screening process as other applicants.

Will the dog I foster have any special needs, such as medical or behavioral issues?

Some foster dogs may have special needs that require extra care or medication. Additionally, dogs going into any new environment may initially be stressed and unforseen or unknown issues may arise. We believe in full transparency on both ends; should issues arise, we will be there for you every step of the way.

What do I do if my foster dog needs veterinary care?

The Thriving Dog, Inc. will cover all pre-approved veterinary care costs at one of our approved veterinary clinics. In the case of an emergency, contact your us for help in finding veterinary care.

What do I do with supplies belonging to The Thriving Dog after my foster dog is adopted?

Please contact The Thriving Dog to return all supplies furnished by the organization.

Foster Questionnaire