DS: What are the advantages/disadvantages of fostering dogs from a shelter?

Question

I've done this before, but I was in middle school when I did it...so really my parents had the ultimate consequences. 

Long story short, I'm moving out of my apartment in August into a 2bd/1.5ba house with a decently sized, privacy fenced yard. No roommates, just me and my 9-year-old Corgi. I haven't actually asked the owners of the house yet, I just wanted to get a feel for your experiences before I did that. From what I can tell, they would probably not care as long as the dog was crated and didn't cause any damage (or I paid for the damage).

My current dog is overweight (working on that), enjoys the company of other dogs (regardless of size), is not spayed (she was too old/fat when I got her, so no one will do it now), and is very, very spoiled! My partner has an 8-pound rescue pup, probably a mini poodle/schnauzer mix, who also gets along with other dogs, although she's picky about the size. Emily and Browser would only be with us maybe once a month for a few days, so I don't think they're a huge factor.

So, in my current situation, what do you think? What size/age/breed do you think I should look into? Should I take my dog with me when I go to pick out my foster? 

PS: At the shelter I would be fostering for, all of the dogs are labeled as "needing fosters" and because it is a kill-shelter, they're always desperate for more space.

DOG · Accepted Answer

The benefits are that you get to help an animal who would otherwise maybe have been put down or deteriorated in a stressful shelter environment.

The disadvantages are far more numerous, but to a lot of people, still don't outweigh the idea of helping an animal.

First of all, there is no guarantee that none of these animals will bring sickness into your home.  In fact, if you foster long enough, it's almost a guarantee that you will end up with a dog with some sort of illness.  A lot of times the initial vetting doesn't find these illnesses.  I have fostered dogs with kennel cough, pneumonia, and even one with distemper.  If your dog is healthy, they shouldn't be affected.   But older/younger dogs or dogs with a compromised immune system are at a much higher risk of getting these diseases passed on to them.

Also a guarantee is that at some point in time you will get a devil dog.  Foster dogs will rip up your carpet, pee all over your house, and chew on your furniture.  It's like getting a new puppy every time you get a new foster dog, since most of these dogs have never been taught manners.

Even if your dog is great with other dogs, fostering will be stressful for her.  Dogs are pack animals and it's unnatural for them to lose friends and gain random new pack members all the time.  Most dogs get into the rhythm of things pretty quickly, realizing that they are there to stay and that they just have lots of temporary buddies.

If you want to foster, you can't be picky.  You can't really pick a breed/size/age, unless you go to a private breed specific rescue, because they aren't going to be able to cater to your needs.  They can try, but that sometimes means that you won't be of any help to them if they don't have a dog that fits your exact requirements.  Some foster homes only want to foster well-mannered and well trained dogs... and a dog like that ending up in a shelter is very rare.

And last but not least, you will have the occasional foster that tries your patience, stays just a little bit too long, and somehow in the course of a couple months becomes part of your family.  And then it will get adopted and it will suddenly no longer be a part of your family, and you will have to cope with that.

? · Answer

Advantages Of Fostering

Mignon F · Answer

I can't see why a Vet wouldn't spay your female because she was over weight and the more heat cycles she goes through the better chance she has of getting cancer.

Anyway, Fostering a dog gives you more of a chance of becoming attached, the Advantage is you'll be able to give the dog the type of socialization it needs--being in a home, getting the play time, love time, cuddle time, etc.  

You'll need to find a dog that gets along with others and have a Meet and Greet to see if both get along.  With the age of your dog, she may not want another that's real playful, active, jumping on her, etc.  Take your time with this decision as it means a lot to the Shelter and the welfare of the dog.

Barb · Answer

Advantages : You save lifes, of helpless pets

Disadvantages : You will love them all , and have to let them go.

Anonymous · Answer

your default pic is SO cute! what kind of dog is it?

i think this pic should be your new default pic or for future reference! http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=A2KJkPwsHlVRenkAT3.jzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBpaWt1dXN1BHNlYwNmcC1leHAEc2xrA2V4cA--?back=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%3Fei%3DUTF-8%26p%3DBichon%2BFrise%26fr%3Dcrmas&w=450&h=421&imgurl=dogbreedworld.net%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F01%2FBichon-Frise-8.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fdogbreedworld.net%2Fbichon-frise%2Fbichon-frise-information-and-pictures%2F&size=54+KB&name=%3Cb%3EBichon+Frise+%3C%2Fb%3EInformation+and+Pictures+%7C+Dog+breed+world&p=Bichon+Frise&oid=a7389e6ede9c0489ead63998ee3a4f46&fr2=&fr=&tt=%253Cb%253EBichon%2BFrise%2B%253C%252Fb%253EInformation%2Band%2BPictures%2B%257C%2BDog%2Bbreed%2Bworld&b=0&ni=88&no=10&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=12ckmcliv&sigb=11v0jos8q&sigi=11vs7sigm&.crumb=SPhMUTOqDQG& isn't it so cute?

DS: What are the advantages/disadvantages of fostering dogs from a shelter?

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