Foster Info

So you think you would like to foster a needy Boxer? What is involved in being a foster family?

A foster home is a temporary safe haven for a rescued dog. It is a most crucial yet very scarce ingredient in canine rescue. The more available foster homes, the more dogs we are able to rescue.
We have tried to answer the most frequently asked questions regarding fostering below. If, after reading the questions and answers, you decide you want to foster, please proceed to the foster application to begin the process.

1. What do you mean by "foster"?

Temporary homes are needed for rescued dogs until permanent homes can be found. Temporary homes are called foster homes. While we do have a kennel at our disposal, there are boarding charges incurred per dog.

2. Where are the dogs from that I might be asked to foster?

Many times dogs are surrendered to BoxAR from owners who no longer are able or have a desire to care for their Boxer. Even more often, these dogs have been dumped at local shelters where they risk disease and euthanasia as well as emotional distress.

3. As a foster home, what do I provide?

We ask that you care for your foster dog as if he/she is your own pet. You will be asked to proved indoor shelter, bedding, toys, heartworm preventive, flea/tick preventive and food. We also ask that you provide socialization and support for the transition from a difficult situation to a loving home. You may need to provide transport to a veterinarian, although, generally, this is done before the dog comes to your home. We ask, also, for your evaluation of the dog's general temperament. We have forms for you to fill out with your assessment of the dog, and we ask that you provide your evaluations to us on a regular basis. Most importantly, we ask that you provide plenty of TLC!

4. How long will I have a foster dog before it is adopted?

We strive to find the perfect forever home for each of our dogs. Our Boxers are not adopted out on a "first come, first serve basis". It is very difficult to predict how long a dog will be in our care.

5. May I choose the dog I foster?

While we certainly would ask your input, there are a variety of things that determine which dog you will end up with in your home. The Boxer comes first to our kennel where it's temperament is evaluated by our trainer. It is taken to a veterinarian so it's health can also be evaluated. If there are any health problems such as heartworms, kennel cough or a need for surgery, these issues will be addressed before placing the dog in a foster home. After the dog has been evaluated and treated, at that time, we will place the dog in a home that is suitable for that particular dog. Certainly if your home is suitable (if the dog is rough with children and you have children, we wouldn't place this one in your home, ect.) and this is the dog you want to foster, we have no problem with that.

6. What if the Boxer requires a visit to the vet while in my home?

The need for a veterinary visit must be cleared, first, with our director. Once cleared, we ask that you take the dog to one of the several vets who give us a discount on the medical care. Of course, there are sometimes extenuating circumstances. If you cannot reach our director and this is an emergency, of course we would rather you make the dog's health your first priority. You may also contact other BoxAR members who may be able to contact the director.

7. Who is responsible for the veterinary bills?

BoxAR Rescue will be responsible for the vet bills. (However, BoxAR is ALWAYS grateful for any monetary help with the vet bills). That is why we ask that you take the dog to one of our participating veterinarians, if at all feasible.

8. What kinds of behavior problems might I expect?

Probably the most common problem is separation anxiety (i.e. crying or barking when left alone). It is not unusual for this to occur at night if the rescue is crated in another part of the house. This usually resolves over time. Marking (with urine) is a behavior frequently exhibited by males in a new environment. Chewing can also be a problem. Peeing and pooping in the house may occur either because the dog is not housebroken, because of the new environment or because you don’t understand he’s asking to go out. Food aggression (fighting with other dogs over food) can be avoided by separating the dogs at feeding time. Some dogs are very possessive of chew toys, rawhide chews, etc. BoxAR volunteers can provide ideas on how to handle many of these behavior problems.

9. Is being a foster home the "fast track" to adoption?

As a foster home, you will have the first opportunity for adoption, but there will still be an adoption fee. We hope you want to foster to help a deserving Boxer find a loving and permanent home. After you see how happy your foster dog is in its forever home, it will make it much easier to let go. We have so many homeless Boxers that you will have another foster, who will no doubt steal your heart too, in no time. Our foster volunteers have all been through “letting go” we can help prepare you before, during and after.

10. Will I have input into the which adoptive home my foster dog will go to?

Definitely! That is a very important part of being a foster family. You will know the dog and his/her likes and dislikes better than anybody else. When we have somone interested in your foster dog, we will give you their name and phone number and ask you to set up an appointment for them to come to your home and meet the dog. We will listen closely to your assessment of this possible adopter because you will have observed the reaction of "dog to potential adopter" and "potential adopter to dog". If you have a bad feeling about anybody, we ask that you let us know about it. We will not send anybody to meet the dog until they have been approved (vet and personal references checked and home visit complete) by the BoxAR board. If, upon meeting the potential adopter, you feel like they are a good home for the dog, you are free to send the dog home with them. HOWEVER, if you have a bad feeling about this person/persons, you may tell them that you are not at liberty to allow the dog to go with them until you hear from BoxAR Rescue. We don't want to put you in an uncomfortable or compromising position. If you decide that they will be adopting the dog, we will ask you to complete the contract with them and collect the adoption fee. You will forward both to us. And then you will be welcome to take in your next foster dog!

Please take the time to go to the online forms and
fill out an application to foster for BoxAR Rescue.
There are so many boxers in the shelters and pounds
just waiting on a place in rescue. Without foster
homes, their future is very bleak and uncertain. Together
we can make a difference so get that application to
us as soon as possible!