FOSTERING SAVES DOGS' LIVES!

The benefits of fostering a dog are endless. What better feeling could there be than to know you played a huge part in saving a dog's life? Without people willing to open their homes and hearts, HugaBull can not help homeless pitties. These dogs wait day in and day out for someone to give them a chance. For most of these dogs, that chance never comes.

Home fostering provides the lucky break these dogs need. People are much more willing to consider adoption when they can get some feedback as to how the dog is in a home environment. Many pitties are overlooked in the shelter systems because they're pit bulls, even though they may be the best dogs in the whole place. Without some assistance, they never stand a chance of having someone consider them.

Pit bulls who have spent months in shelters are suddenly adopted once home fostered. Why does that happen? Because it "personalizes" the dog to know what are they really like, outside those cement walls.

Many people debate fostering because they think it will be hard to give up the dog. On the contrary! This is a great way to find your own dog - a "trial run" so to speak. Or alternatively, there is no better feeling than to see the happiness on the people's faces when they pick up their loving new addition. To know you had a part in providing that opportunity for that dog is extremely rewarding. Without foster homes, we can not save these dogs. Please help!

QUESTIONS ABOUT FOSTERING:

HOW DOES IT ALL WORK IF I'M INTERESTED IN BECOMING A FOSTER HOME?

The first step is to contact us! After that, we will send you a basic foster application information sheet. From there, a trained volunteer will call you and set up a "home meet and greet." We thoroughly cover: what to expect with a new foster dog, how to introduce a foster dog to your current pets, answer any questions you may have and offer ongoing support during the whole time that dog is in your home.

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES WILL I HAVE?

Depending on your level of comfort and past experience with dogs, we try to match dogs that are suitable for your home. Most foster dogs benefit greatly from learning basic obedience skills, to help increase their adoptability. Some may require housebreaking. Some may require getting used to being inside and a household environment and benefiting from a regular schedule. Some may be basically completely trained "ready made" pets and require very little brush up work.

Getting your foster dog "out and about" is very important to see how they interact in different situations, to different people and dogs. Getting to know them and what type of home would suit them best is truly your job as a foster parent, and helping them acquire the skills and socialization to get adopted.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME AND WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?

Who we are looking for are people who are realistic about dogs, and responsible. Previous pit bull knowledge is helpful, but having patience, good dog knowledge and have owned a dog in the past, and a willingness to help out are all that is needed.

Potential fosters should understand that foster dogs may go through an "adjustment period" in the beginning while in the home, and be willing to work through the challenges. A HugABull volunteer is always available to help you with these issues if they arise. Most often than not, within a week the foster dog makes itself comfortable, like it's been living there its whole life!

One also has to ensure that they have the time and energy to give the foster dog love, attention and the exercise it needs. Providing a foster home to a pit bull in need literally saves its life!

WHERE DO THE DOGS COME FROM?

The majority of our dogs are selected from local animal shelters. Most of these same dogs would never be adopted, and may not even last a day or longer in a shelter system before facing euthanasia.

Dogs are chosen that are temperamentally sound with people, show comfortable levels being handled, have no obvious serious dog aggression levels, and are eager to please and friendly. We tend to pick dogs that are primarily all bull breed looking - muscles, blockheads - the whole package (which some general adopters may not feel comfortable with, but we love as fans of the breed), but once in a blue moon, we'll take in a mixed bull breed dog as well.

WHAT IF I HAVE OTHER PETS ALREADY?

That's okay, we'll work with them. We'll ensure ahead of time that the foster dog is safe and suitable to be around other pets, and match foster homes accordingly. Care will be taken when introducing a foster dog to your current pets, and techniques will be discussed to ensure that all members of the furry family will get along.

Sometimes having other pets around is very helpful to a foster dog. It may ensure that the dog has more options when it comes to a permanent home if it's been well socialized with other dogs, cats or other small furries.

WILL I HAVE TO REVIEW APPLICATIONS AND DO HOME CHECKS ETC?

Not at all! That's our job. Your job is to care for the foster dog and help it's adoptability. Our job is to find the right match for that dog, by networking with you for feedback, and finding someone who is just right for that particular dog.

We do appreciate weekly feedback though on how a dog is progressing, the opportunity to come take photos of the dog (or feel free to provide photos) and the scheduling to allow for "meet and greets" with potential adopters which we coordinate.

WHO PROVIDES THE BASIC NECESSITIES?

HugABull will provide all vet care, a leash, collar, and some start off food for the foster dog. Most foster homes supply their own dog food, unless we have enough donations. We have on occasion extra training kennels, various dog training equipment, toys etc.

I'M WORRIED THAT I WILL BE IN OVER MY HEAD WITH A ROWDY, UNTRAINED DOG?

We try to match the foster home's skills level with the particular dog. However, sometimes as dogs get more comfortable in a home, new behaviors start to come out. HugABull provides ongoing support and guidance for all foster homes while caring for the dog. Generally speaking, most dogs flourish and continue to improve while in foster care.

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO COMMIT TO?

Whatever you want - whether a few days of emergency foster care or as long as it takes for a particular dog to get adopted. Generally speaking, a foster home should be available for a minimum of 2 weeks to avoid stressing the dog and having to move it around over and over. However, providing weekend care for foster parents that are on vacation, or temporary housing while a longer term foster is found, is helpful as well.

BUT WHAT IF I "FALL IN LOVE?" WITH MY FOSTER DOG?

This is that lovely obvious risk one takes when becoming a foster! In the HugABull Program, foster parents always have first right of adoption when a dog is in the process of finding a new home.