Foster caring for Victorian Dog Rescue

Have you ever considered foster caring a dog or cat?

Perhaps you are only in Victoria for six months, intend to travel, have a baby in a year or two, not want a permanent commitment for many years, are unsure what sort of pet you would like as a permanent companion. Or you are elderly and are concerned what may happen to your pet if you need to move to a different living situation.

Foster caring may be the answer.

Victorian Dog Rescue foster carers provide love, training, socialisation, food, and updates to us on their fostered pet. All other costs such as vet visits, group training classes, special food requirements, registration, worm and flea treatments are of course paid for by us.

Dog Foster Application
Cat Foster Application

Nearly all dogs and cats who are in pounds have ended up there through no fault of their own. Their family may not be able to keep them any longer due to changed circumstances. They may have been lost and not located by their person. Or they may have simply been not wanted.

Unfortunately, too many people in our community regard dogs and cats as disposable items. Can you help a dog or cat that needs a second chance?

What you need to do to be a good VicDRG foster carer?

  1. Provide good quality food, leadership, affection and training where necessary.
  2. Complete our report advising us of the personality, behaviour and health of the pet, the good points and any negative ones.
  3. Ensure your dog is safe at all times and not let off leash without our approval; or in the case of a cat, not allowed outside except in a specific containment area.
  4. Make yourself available for a meet and greet with prospective adopters either at your house or a nearby park.
  5. Give us your valued opinion on the appropriateness of the adopter after the meet and greet.
  6. Attend our foster care course that runs annually for dog care, and occasionally we may refer our cat carers on to appropriate courses.

Foster caring can be an incredibly rewarding experience: to see the look of trust and growing confidence in a pet has been rescued from death row, or from difficult circumstances, and to watch them go to a family who will love and care for them, knowing that they are now part of the VicDRG family and we will always be there for them.

As a community fostercare network, we cannot exist without our foster carers. We value you.

Note that foster carers do not have the automatic right to adopt their dog. Their application is processed on the same basis as others. If you are looking to foster a dog as a way of finding a dog to adopt please ask us about our ‘foster with a view’ program. Note that this program is only available for pets that are not yet in care; that is they are marked as available for foster on the website.