Fostering 101 (Dogs and Cats)

Posted on May 10th, 2015 by Anna Nirva

Definition of “fostering”

Providing a temporary home for a shelter or rescue animal, while they are on their path to permanent adoption, as a volunteer for a shelter or a rescue. Foster-to-adopt situations, also known as trial adoptions, are not addressed here. There is a difference between fostering homeless animals and pet-sitting family pets for family, friends and neighbors. Homeless animals usually don’t know their names nor the people helping them along the rescue road. They don’t know anything about where they are at first. And they are typically grateful for your role in saving their lives and getting them out of the shelter. They know.

Typical foster responsibilities may include:

Provide food and shelter

  • In-home living 24/7 usually required for cats and pocket pets; foster dogs might enjoy some outdoor time such as walks and backyard play time
  • Crate sleeping and feeding often recommended
  • Meals twice daily
  • Fresh water availability at all times
  • Dogs are provided appropriate pottying time outdoors
  • Dogs are always leashed outdoors, unless the yard is securely fenced (no free-roaming allowed)
  • Cats are provided litter boxes, cleaned daily
  • Socializing time with family members and other family pets AFTER the foster dog or cat has had appropriate time to settle in and relax

Provide some additional services (these will vary depending on foster type and shelter/rescue organization)

  • Attend training classes with the foster pet, to help the pet become more adoptable and better socialized
  • Attend adoption marketing events with the foster pet, to help the pet meet potential adopters
  • Drive foster pets to and from vet appointments
  • Answer email inquiries, speak with potential adopters on the phone, meet with potential adopters, all to provide essential information about the temperament and health of the foster pet

 

Types of foster homes needed

  1. Kitten/cat
  2. Large-medium dog/puppy
  3. Small dog/puppy
  4. Behavioral needs
  5. Medical needs
  6. Seniors
  7. Undersocialized cats
  8. Respite care
  9. Momma & litter of cats
  10. Momma & litter of dogs
  11. Transport overnights
  12. Service dog
  13. Military family dog
  14. Animals that may be awaiting a court disposition

Read the rest of this entry »

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Humane Dog House Considerations

Posted on August 27th, 2014 by Anna Nirva

wwtips_a2If you must keep your dog outdoors, construct an excellent dog house and kennel based on considerations of your dog’s breed, age, health status, your climate and environment, and safety and health features. Schedule daily activities so that your dog doesn’t become depressed or frustrated, leading to difficult behaviors. Never chain your dog.

 

It is now a well-established fact that dogs are social, pack-oriented animals who thrive on human companionship and are happiest while living indoors as part of the family. When you bring a new dog into your family, the dog learns to view your family members and your other pets as his or her pack. Read the rest of this entry »

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Watch Tip: Will You Be Coming Home to Your Pets Tonight?

Posted on September 4th, 2013 by Anna Nirva

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Are you prepared for the unexpected accident? What happens if you don’t make it home to your dogs and cats tonight? Take a few minutes to think about your pets’ first 24 hours without you. Keep “in case of emergency” or ICE instructions with you so that if the unthinkable should happen, your pets will get the care they need and deserve.

Will You Be Coming Home to Your Pets Tonight?

By Susi of dogknobit.com blog

Had he died, mine would have been the last face he ever saw. People don’t tend to die in bicycle accidents, however, when a car isn’t involved. They tend to break themselves into pieces. This man had broken his nose. Also his neck. Read the rest of this entry »

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Traveling by Car or Truck with Pets

Posted on July 11th, 2013 by Anna Nirva

[Reprinted from Trucker’s Report.com]

We found this article to be good stuff and we wanted to share it with readers. Thank you Caroline, a middle school student, for sharing this good information with your team! It eventually found it’s way to us via Coonhound Companions!

Traveling by Car or Truck with Pets

Taking the family pet along for the ride is a part of the vacation plans of families across the nation. These trips can be quite memorable and enjoyable—but only if you take the proper safety precautions for your animals. This guide will help you travel safely and comfortably with your favorite pet.

 

Before You Travel

When you and your family are traveling, planning is essential to make sure you get everything packed and are fully prepared for your journey. Such planning is also a must when it comes to traveling with pets:

Find a Place to Stay With Your Pet

Not every hotel, campground, or other lodging allows pets to stay on the premises, and the last thing you want is to pull into your lodging and find out that your animal is unwelcome. While planning your trip, you should make sure to find pet-friendly accommodations at every stop along the way on your journey. Figure out where you will stop and plan accordingly. Read the rest of this entry »

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Important Information about Predicted Tick-borne Disease Explosion

Posted on June 16th, 2013 by Anna Nirva

Readers, the linked article is very important if you and your pets spend time outdoors together. Veterinary parasite experts warn of a tick population explosion due to milder winters, resistance to topical anti-tick and -flea treatments, and other factors. Some believe infection may transmit to the host before 24 hours elapse. Dr. Karen Becker writes an excellent overview and her tips for prevention is a must-read. Reader comments are also interesting. I will repost her tips in digest form below.

Near 100% Risk from a Parasitic Pest Now Linked to a Dozen Diseases (article link)
Link will open in a new window. Click on More… for the tips.

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Watch Tip Classic: Trapped and Alone

Posted on February 3rd, 2013 by Anna Nirva

wwtips_a2Listen and watch for dogs and cats accidentally trapped in sheds, garages, and even homes, when families leave for winter vacations. Mis-communications or mistakes can be devastating. Sunbear was trapped in a townhouse laundry room when his owner left town; he died.

Trapped and no one hears you!

It can happen in your neighborhood. You are a dog or a cat, and your family loves you. They left for vacation and arranged for your care. But communication about the date was faulty, or a voicemail was lost, or the caregiver was irresponsible. And you have not been fed or watered for days. Read the rest of this entry »

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Watch Tip: Traveling by Car or Truck with Pets

Posted on January 26th, 2013 by Anna Nirva

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By Edward Green, TruckersReport.com

Taking the family pet along for the ride is a part of the vacation plans of families across the nation. These trips can be quite memorable and enjoyable—but only if you take the proper safety precautions for your animals. This guide will help you travel safely and comfortably with your favorite pet.

 Before You Travel

When you and your family are traveling, planning is essential to make sure you get everything packed and are fully prepared for your journey. Such planning is also a must when it comes to traveling with pets: Read the rest of this entry »

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Watch Tip: Watch Out for Thin Ice

Posted on January 6th, 2013 by Anna Nirva

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By Emily Plishner, Houndsman

In wintertime, dogs can get in trouble by running out on thin ice. Warm days can weaken ice on frozen ponds. Even in very cold weather, rapidly flowing water will not freeze completely, ice along tidal coasts will break up with tide changes, and uncovered holes in solidly frozen surfaces can prove to be traps for dogs. Once they’ve fallen through thin ice, dogs can have trouble climbing out again. Carry rope and a change of clothes in your vehicle for emergency rescues—you can tie one end of the rope to a tree or other solid anchor and the other to your waist when going to the rescue, affording you a way to climb back out of icy water.

Read a true story about a dramatic rescue of a dog that went through thin ice.

See a video clip of the above story.

My coonhound Clamour, 75 lbs., once ran over thin ice and ran onto a beaver lodge to bark at a raccoon on an evergreen branch overhanging it. I knew the ice was too thin to support me and I wasn’t sure the ice could support Clamour. I wasn’t even sure the beaver lodge would support him, and I knew it was occupied! I knew Clam wouldn’t even try to leave until the coon did, and I don’t carry firearms when I “hunt,” so I had to find another way to make the coon leave. Mind you, all this was in the dark of night, at least a mile from the nearest house. I lobbed snowballs at that coon for what seemed like hours before he retreated toward the tree trunk, Clam underneath him every inch of the way. Luckily, Clam didn’t fall through until the shallows, and was able to climb out on his own. He then proceeded to climb all over me and get me soaking wet. Now, I always keep along rope in my truck, and sometimes an ice grapple in thin ice weather. Just about every houndsman I know has had to wade into a partly frozen swamp at least once to rescue his dog. And none of them hesitate to do what needs to be done.

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Book Review: “Little Boy Blue”

Posted on August 12th, 2012 by Anna Nirva

Little Boy Blue cover imageMemorize this book cover. I want every dog-lover in America to read this book and pass it along to a friend. I want every dog-lover living in a county served by a taxpayer-funded animal shelter to call their local health department and ask for live-outcome statistics; if refused, I want that dog-lover to file “Freedom of Information” forms to get access. I want every dog-lover that discovers their local “shelter” is actually killing the majority of dogs to join with others and raise their voices high, hard, and long to demand change in leadership. If those dog-lovers knew what horrors their tax dollars funded in those animal control facilities (don’t call them shelters), things would change.

Now maybe they will. Author Kim Kavin’s book “Little Boy Blue” exposes the hideous truth about dog-killing facilities operating in many municipalities of our dog-loving nation: killing owner-surrendered dogs within hours, killing dogs with minor treatable ailments such as ringworm, killing dogs slowly in gas boxes while they scream and claw at the hatch to escape, tossing their bagged bodies in the dump, all the while lulling the public with happy stories of adoption in the local paper.  Read the rest of this entry »

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Watch Tip: Lawn & Garden Chemicals

Posted on April 29th, 2012 by Anna Nirva

Watch Tip LogoBeware of the deadly dangers of toxic lawn and garden chemicals. Don’t use them and prevent your pets from visiting neighbors who use them. Pesticides, insecticides and rodenticides can kill your pets, especially those that include sweeteners to attract their intended prey. If your neighbors complain about snails/slugs, mice/rats, flies and other pests, and they use toxic products to control them, keep your pets away!

Protect Your Pets: Learn this List of Toxics

  1. Snail baits with metaldehyde  Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Health Warnings, Safety & Health Tips, Watch Tips | 3 Comments »

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