Become An [highlight]APBF[/highlight] Foster Parent

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Foster parents are life savers in high demand and play a very vital role to the success of adoption programs. Without foster families, the euthanasia rate of adoptable dogs can escalate quickly.

Tips for [highlight]new foster parents[/highlight]
  • Always start with one puppy/dog and see it through to the end of the adoption process before making the decision to foster multiple dogs. It’s hard to say no and easy to get overwhelmed.
  • Set a comfortable foster goal with your spouse/family, whether it’s committing to one foster per six months, or three litters per year.
  • Remember that this is a commitment to keep a pet until they are re-homed. The time span could be two days or six months to find the right match.
  • Keep personality posts for the rescue. You will come to know your fosters personality traits, habits and fun quirks the best, and will ultimately help the rescue make the right match by what you report back.
  • Try not to get attached and explain to kids that fosters are a temporary situation. Easier said than done, and one may come along that you just can’t let go, but keep in mind that the more you keep, the less you may be able to foster.

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[highlight]APBF[/highlight] Foster Program Information

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[item title=”What is a foster parent?” open=”0″]
A foster parent is a safe haven for a dog or puppy that is in need of a permanent home. Foster parents provide all of the care for a pet, including nourishment, exercise, training, and affection.

Foster parents are a great asset; they keep dogs and puppies from being unnecessarily euthanized due to lack of shelter space and time.
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[item title=”How long is the commit to caring for a dog?” open=”0″]
The dog will be in the care of a foster parent until a permanent home is found. Re-homing a dog can take as little as a week or as long as a year. Typically it is somewhere in the middle, however, it is important to understand the commitment to the dog, as it is a hard on them to be shifted from place to place.
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[item title=”Can I choose who I want to foster through APBF?” open=”0″]
On the foster application, parents can pick which types of foster pets they want to take in. You can select which foster situation matches your abilities. Foster parents who have a lot of time and are advanced in fostering, can choose to take on a mother dog and a whole litter, or beginning foster parents can choose to take on one puppy or dog. There are several option.
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[item title=”Can I adopt my dog on my own?” open=”0″]
All adoptions have to go through the same process to be approved. If you know someone who is interested in adopting, be they a stranger or close family member, they have to submit an application and be approved through ABPF.
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[item title=”What Supplies will I need before I start?” open=”0″]
Puppy or adult dog food, food bowls, collar & leash, chew toys, (we recommend Kongs and other fairly indestructible toys), treats, and a crate.

Crates should be large enough for the pet to stand up, turn around, and lay down. A crate pad, pee pads, or blanket can be used to line the bottom.

Treats can be purchased at a pet supply store, or use small chunks of broiled chicken (no seasoning), apple slices, baby carrots and blueberries. Do not give any table scraps or other “human” food unless approved by a veterinarian or APBF, as some foods can be very toxic to dogs.
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[item title=”What is expected of me as a foster parent?” open=”0″]
The biggest expectation is that a safe, loving, and nurturing environment is provided for the pet until a permanent home is found.
Foster parents are asked to comply with guidelines for training, nutrition, and exercise to keep the dogs happy and healthy. These guidelines are not strict, however, are in place for the best interest of the foster pet, the foster parent, and the parents to be. These guidelines will be discussed prior to fostering and any questions will be met openly.
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[item title=”I need to go out of town, but am fostering?” open=”0″]
Foster parents provide the same care for their own pets as they do their foster pets. If you have arrangements with a boarding facility, or a pet sitter, your foster pet should be included in those plans as well.
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[item title=”What if my foster dog needs medical attention?” open=”0″]
If an emergency happens and the foster pet is in immediate danger, take him/her to Emergency Veterinary Clinic or, the closest emergency hospital if EVC is too far.
If the issue is non-life threatening, please call the APBF representative that you work with before seeking medical treatment.
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[item title=”What if I need help dealing with my dogs behavior?” open=”0″]
You are not on your own as a foster parent for APBF. If an issue arises, communicate with your APBF representative and they will help you through it
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[item title=”My foster has an application pending, now what?” open=”0″]
The application is reviewed, if approved; a home visit is completed, followed by an interaction. Your APBF representative will contact you to arrange a time convenient with scheduling to pick up the dog for the interaction. If the interaction goes smoothly, the dog will be allowed to remain with the potential adopters for a trial period, (between 24 and 72 hours). The adoption is then processed after the trial period.
If a dog or puppy does not work out with the new adopters, he/she is brought back to the foster parents. Based on the application and trial process, this is a rare occurrence.
www.americanpitbullfoundation.com

APBF Office
7708 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd.
Mint Hill, NC 28227
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