Adoption/Foster Information

kjm · 09-22-2004, 12:47 PM

I know several members have either adopted or fostered needy animals, so I'd like a little advice or your opinions on the idea.

As most of you know, I have a 5 mo old male mini schnauzer. Just after these few months with Boone, I've realized what a joy he is and how my life will NEVER be the same since he's entered it. I would dearly love to bring another doggy life into our family. I've seriously been considering either adopting or fostering another dog (preferably adult dog) from one of the local animal help centers.

What are the pros/cons of fostering? Adopting? Is it better to do one and not the other? What are some of your experiences with this process?

Any suggestions or comments would be welcome.

fireworksinjuly · 09-22-2004, 01:01 PM

adoption usually implies you will keep him forever, while fostering is usually a temporary proces, though some people will start out fostering then end up adopting it.
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My parents adopted their dog for me when I was 9, he was formerly abused. He was very timid at first.
When hed see my father hed urinate.....finally he learned to trust us and he became one of the most amazing dogs ever. We had one small incident something like 6 years after we adopted him where someone brought a baseball bat into the house and he freaked out (he was beaten with a baseball bat as a puppy).
He became rather protective of me, he wouldnt let boyfriends or people hug me with out trying to get between us. But he was never agressive or anthing like that. He is the most loving dog ever.
Growing up he always thought he was a lap dog- hes a Husky/ Berness mix, and now at 92 pounds he still trys when you sit on the couch. He does have bad hips, and hes over weight, but hes going to be 15 this year. I admite we spoiled him a bit when it came to people food and treats cuz of being abused before we adopte him, so its our fault hes over weight now, but we love him.

While I love my pure breed, my adopted Mutt has had many advantages that Kino didnt. He came mostly trained, potty trained! He never was distructive, etc.

PitBullie09 · 09-22-2004, 01:39 PM

adoption means you keep him until his last days. Fostering is when you keep a dog until someone wants him or the shelter finds a good home. I adopted 3 puppies form the shelters. I was supposed to be fostering them. We found two of them a home and ended up adopting Chance! I thikn everyone should foster! Its great to know you helped a animal in need.

dawnsdogs · 09-22-2004, 02:47 PM

All of our animals are adopted, and it has its advantages. The dog could come trained, and housebroken, but this is not necessarily the rule. Our dog C.J. came trained and housebroken, but not used to dealing with other animals, specifically indoor cats. It took some time, but he adjusted, and 5 mos. later chased a burgler away from our house.
Was the work worth it? You decide.

GreenleafGreyhound · 09-22-2004, 06:30 PM

Fostering a dog (at least for most grey groups) means that you will be his/her temporary home and you will socialize and begin training him. I would say that Fostering is a hair more difficult than adopting because you really put all your energy and faith into a dog and send it off. Who knows? Maybe the dog will capture your heart and you end up keeping him. As a foster, you should housebreak, socialize, and get a head start on obedience. You show the dog the ropes and make him easy to adopt out. If he's a spook or a shy one, you try to get him out of his shell. If he's outgoing, you take him to dog parks, trails, whathaveyou and develop him into a social butterfly (if he isn't already). You just make sure that the dog is fit for adoption. There is no better or worse. It depends on what you want. However, many people 'flunk' fostering and end up adopting the dog they so readily raised. A con would be giving the dog back up. Many people find comfort through ice cream and crying

Adoption is great! You rescue a dog who really needed the home and you earn a lifelong friend. Some dogs come housebroken, some don't. Adoption is pretty straightforward...

flyndog · 09-22-2004, 06:31 PM

Usually dogs that end up in the pound are there because their owners didn't want them. They usually, but not always, have behavior problems that led to the owners getting rid of them. Most have some kind of emotional problem and it takes a patient, kind and loving human to help these dogs reach their potential. Some shelters take time to rehabilitate the dogs for adoption, some don't. I'd adopt if I could. But I can't, so I work with dogs at our shelter. Just spend time with the dogs you're attracted to before you make a final decision. It's not all about the sad eyes! My town's animal shelter breaks my heart.

Pugdawg1 · 09-22-2004, 09:52 PM

I foster occasionally for an all breed rescue. Currently fostering a chihuahua. Two of my pugs are rescues that I wound up adopting (one of which I fostered, and wound up adopting). The two I adopted, both had a hard time in life. One was left in a dirt backyard in Las Vegas 24/7 (I still wonder how he survived that, pugs and high temps do NOT mix), and little black Bentley was found along a highway, wound up at a shelter, was shuffled between 4 homes in 3 months time because he was too high energy and they had all assumed pugs are just mellow couch potatoes. But both are WONDERFUL. Housetrained. loving. They try so hard to be good, whereas my one pug that I got as a puppy is a little male version of a prima donna.. he's never known a bad life, so therefore he assumes the world revolves around him. LOL
I like the rescues. Usually whoever fostered them, learns their little quirks.. good with cats? bad with cats? good with kids? bad with kids? housebroke? healthy? health problems? etc.
I enjoy fostering, but sometimes, it's not all fun. Some dogs are a mess when you get them. Some aren't. Just depends. It's hard to see the dog go if you fostered them, but it's awesome to know you did a really good good thing.

moonbaby4885 · 09-23-2004, 11:08 AM

I just can't foster....I would get too attatched....and wind up adopting every one of them.

I havn't adopted any adult animals...but I have given up an adult dog(because we had to move

she was very well behaved and well trained). Maggie had no problems and is doing fine. My sister adopted my cat...and didn't want to take care of her anymore(she is lazy..she didn't even take care of her to begin w/...I was the one to always feed her, etc. so when my mom confronted her about it she decided to give her to me...I wanted her anyways). Now she is the sweetest kitty ever..hehe. :D

MeandChloe · 09-23-2004, 05:56 PM

We adopted Chloe back in april and we love her to death!! She is our baby, since we don't have any. I think adopting is so rewarding because you know that you saved the animal. We just recently started fostering. Yesterday we picked up our foster puppy Elle Mae. We will see how it goes when we have to give her up. We just figured that since the rescue blessed us with out baby Chloe that we should return the favor and bless them by being a foster.

09-22-2004, 12:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
kjm Schnauzer Slave Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 533 Rep Power: 87	Adoption/Foster Information I know several members have either adopted or fostered needy animals, so I'd like a little advice or your opinions on the idea. As most of you know, I have a 5 mo old male mini schnauzer. Just after these few months with Boone, I've realized what a joy he is and how my life will NEVER be the same since he's entered it. I would dearly love to bring another doggy life into our family. I've seriously been considering either adopting or fostering another dog (preferably adult dog) from one of the local animal help centers. What are the pros/cons of fostering? Adopting? Is it better to do one and not the other? What are some of your experiences with this process? Any suggestions or comments would be welcome.
	__________________ The Schnauzer Squad (just the two of us!): Karli and Boone "He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

09-22-2004, 01:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
fireworksinjuly Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 2,585 Rep Power: 138	adoption usually implies you will keep him forever, while fostering is usually a temporary proces, though some people will start out fostering then end up adopting it. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- My parents adopted their dog for me when I was 9, he was formerly abused. He was very timid at first. When hed see my father hed urinate.....finally he learned to trust us and he became one of the most amazing dogs ever. We had one small incident something like 6 years after we adopted him where someone brought a baseball bat into the house and he freaked out (he was beaten with a baseball bat as a puppy). He became rather protective of me, he wouldnt let boyfriends or people hug me with out trying to get between us. But he was never agressive or anthing like that. He is the most loving dog ever. Growing up he always thought he was a lap dog- hes a Husky/ Berness mix, and now at 92 pounds he still trys when you sit on the couch. He does have bad hips, and hes over weight, but hes going to be 15 this year. I admite we spoiled him a bit when it came to people food and treats cuz of being abused before we adopte him, so its our fault hes over weight now, but we love him. While I love my pure breed, my adopted Mutt has had many advantages that Kino didnt. He came mostly trained, potty trained! He never was distructive, etc.
	__________________ To See Our Story and Help See That All Babies Be Born Healthy- http://www.Walkamerica.org/SophiaFairchild

09-22-2004, 01:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
PitBullie09 ACD/Pit Bull Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 2,477 Rep Power: 126	adoption means you keep him until his last days. Fostering is when you keep a dog until someone wants him or the shelter finds a good home. I adopted 3 puppies form the shelters. I was supposed to be fostering them. We found two of them a home and ended up adopting Chance! I thikn everyone should foster! Its great to know you helped a animal in need.
	__________________

09-22-2004, 02:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
dawnsdogs Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 74	All of our animals are adopted, and it has its advantages. The dog could come trained, and housebroken, but this is not necessarily the rule. Our dog C.J. came trained and housebroken, but not used to dealing with other animals, specifically indoor cats. It took some time, but he adjusted, and 5 mos. later chased a burgler away from our house. Was the work worth it? You decide.
dawnsdogs Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 74

09-22-2004, 06:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
GreenleafGreyhound Good Dog - Greyt Peke Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern CA Posts: 736 Rep Power: 99	Fostering a dog (at least for most grey groups) means that you will be his/her temporary home and you will socialize and begin training him. I would say that Fostering is a hair more difficult than adopting because you really put all your energy and faith into a dog and send it off. Who knows? Maybe the dog will capture your heart and you end up keeping him. As a foster, you should housebreak, socialize, and get a head start on obedience. You show the dog the ropes and make him easy to adopt out. If he's a spook or a shy one, you try to get him out of his shell. If he's outgoing, you take him to dog parks, trails, whathaveyou and develop him into a social butterfly (if he isn't already). You just make sure that the dog is fit for adoption. There is no better or worse. It depends on what you want. However, many people 'flunk' fostering and end up adopting the dog they so readily raised. A con would be giving the dog back up. Many people find comfort through ice cream and crying Adoption is great! You rescue a dog who really needed the home and you earn a lifelong friend. Some dogs come housebroken, some don't. Adoption is pretty straightforward...
	__________________ ~~Amazing Greys Retired Racers~~ [size=3][color=#0F2085] size]

09-22-2004, 06:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
flyndog Unleash The Possibilities Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Marfa, TX Posts: 3,969 Rep Power: 179	Usually dogs that end up in the pound are there because their owners didn't want them. They usually, but not always, have behavior problems that led to the owners getting rid of them. Most have some kind of emotional problem and it takes a patient, kind and loving human to help these dogs reach their potential. Some shelters take time to rehabilitate the dogs for adoption, some don't. I'd adopt if I could. But I can't, so I work with dogs at our shelter. Just spend time with the dogs you're attracted to before you make a final decision. It's not all about the sad eyes! My town's animal shelter breaks my heart.
	__________________ mARFa Dog Training and Behavior Last edited by flyndog : 09-22-2004 at 06:35 PM.

09-22-2004, 09:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
Pugdawg1 Pug Mom Join Date: May 2004 Location: Elko, Nevada Posts: 2,418 Rep Power: 132	I foster occasionally for an all breed rescue. Currently fostering a chihuahua. Two of my pugs are rescues that I wound up adopting (one of which I fostered, and wound up adopting). The two I adopted, both had a hard time in life. One was left in a dirt backyard in Las Vegas 24/7 (I still wonder how he survived that, pugs and high temps do NOT mix), and little black Bentley was found along a highway, wound up at a shelter, was shuffled between 4 homes in 3 months time because he was too high energy and they had all assumed pugs are just mellow couch potatoes. But both are WONDERFUL. Housetrained. loving. They try so hard to be good, whereas my one pug that I got as a puppy is a little male version of a prima donna.. he's never known a bad life, so therefore he assumes the world revolves around him. LOL I like the rescues. Usually whoever fostered them, learns their little quirks.. good with cats? bad with cats? good with kids? bad with kids? housebroke? healthy? health problems? etc. I enjoy fostering, but sometimes, it's not all fun. Some dogs are a mess when you get them. Some aren't. Just depends. It's hard to see the dog go if you fostered them, but it's awesome to know you did a really good good thing.
	__________________ www.PugSavers.com

09-23-2004, 11:08 AM	#8 (permalink)
moonbaby4885 Cute Puppy Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: USA(South Carolina) Posts: 205 Rep Power: 77	I just can't foster....I would get too attatched....and wind up adopting every one of them. I havn't adopted any adult animals...but I have given up an adult dog(because we had to move she was very well behaved and well trained). Maggie had no problems and is doing fine. My sister adopted my cat...and didn't want to take care of her anymore(she is lazy..she didn't even take care of her to begin w/...I was the one to always feed her, etc. so when my mom confronted her about it she decided to give her to me...I wanted her anyways). Now she is the sweetest kitty ever..hehe. :D
	__________________

09-23-2004, 05:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
MeandChloe Chloe's Mommy! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Capac, MI Posts: 9 Rep Power: 73	We adopted Chloe back in april and we love her to death!! She is our baby, since we don't have any. I think adopting is so rewarding because you know that you saved the animal. We just recently started fostering. Yesterday we picked up our foster puppy Elle Mae. We will see how it goes when we have to give her up. We just figured that since the rescue blessed us with out baby Chloe that we should return the favor and bless them by being a foster.

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