FOSTERING FAQ

We ask that fosters attend vet appointments, adoption events, and facilitate meets/home checks with applicants.  We also ask that fosters provide us with updates on their dog's training, personality, and progress as well as provide us with good quality photos for advertising purposes.

Dogs in foster care must be kept on leash or in a safely fenced in area at all times when outdoors.  They must not be left outdoors unsupervised.  Dogs cannot be taken on walks, or to public parks, sidewalks or places until fully vaccinated.

• Request from the communities we assist
• Requests from other rescues
• Owner surrenders

This is accomplished with the assistance of community-based animal advocates, who actively work within their communities, to save animals by reaching out for assistance to rescue groups such as SOHR.

99% of our dogs come from indigenous communities in Manitoba.

We also work collaboratively with other rescue groups to find placements for dogs in need of rescue.

There will be a transition period for a dog going into a new home and environment.  The dog may not have lived in a home, been around humans, or even be accustomed to eating dog food.  This period of time requires patience, consistency, and kindness.

This can be a stressful time for the both of you.  It may take a few days for some, or it may take a bit longer for others, before they feel comfortable in their new environment.  But, once they have settled in and are comfortable in their new environment, you will quickly see that they just love to be loved.

Not only do we have a private Facebook page for fosters, we also provide fosters with a copy of our Foster Handbook, and we pair them with an experienced "foster buddy" for support.  

We have a whole team of experienced fosters and volunteers who are always willing to lend advice, guidance, and support.  We also work closely with a reputable behaviorist and trainer.

Absolutely nothing! However, you may choose to contribute or use your own food, supplies or equipment.  Otherwise, the rescue provides everything that you will need to foster.  You just need to provide a loving home for the dog to learn, grow, and thrive in.  After all, your goal as a foster is to prepare the dog for success for when it finds its forever home.

It's very rare for a vaccinated dog to come into rescue.  This is why we require that any pets in your home are up to date on vaccinations so that they are protected.

Healthy puppies are vaccinated when they are at least 8 weeks of age and near the end of their two week quarantine period.  We do not vaccinate puppies upon intake.  We want to give them the opportunity to eat a healthy diet and gain healthy weight before introducing a vaccine.

If adult dogs come into rescue healthy, we will vaccinate upon intake.

Dogs must remain within the foster's yard and may not be taken for walks, or to public parks or places, until fully vaccinated.  There is a two week quarantine period for all new dogs to the rescue.  This is to ensure that there are no health issues that present themselves prior to the dog being adopted.  

Our rescue dogs are given a vet check and deworming upon intake, prior to being placed into a foster home.  This is to assess their health, to address any health issues immediately, and to provide the foster family with information required for the care of the dog.

Fosters must remain in the designated foster home at all times, unless authorized by SOHR.

Dogs remain in rescue for a minimum two week quarantine period before they are adoptable at a minimum age of 8 weeks of age provided they are in good health.  

The commitment could be for only a couple of weeks, up to several months, as there is no guarantee as to when a dog will be adopted.  We only move dogs to a new foster home when absolutely necessary as it is stressful for the dog to be moved from home to home to home.  However, we do recognize that there may be times when the dog is not the right fit for the foster home and needs to be moved.  We make every effort to find another placement as soon as possible.

If you can only commit to temporarily fostering, we can still use your help!  There are times when we require short term temporary foster homes.  Please check with us.

Yes, as long as you are within a one hour radius of the city of Winnipeg and are committed to bringing your foster into Winnipeg for veterinary appointments, adoption events, and meets with potential adopters.

Fosters have seven days to decide whether or not they would like to adopt their foster dog.    

We prefer foster homes that have private yards as the dogs that come into rescue have not yet been vaccinated.  They cannot go into public spaces, parks, and playgrounds unless they have been fully vaccinated. Many dogs come in to rescue with contagious diseases and parasites such as parvovirus, coccidia, giardia, and worms.  Therefore, a home with a shared outdoor space is not ideal for fostering or adopting until the dog is fully vetted and vaccinated.

Small breed dogs are in very high demand and rarely come into our rescue.  We maintain a wait list for small dogs that is currently up to 3 months in length.  Priority for adoption is only given to long term fosters, volunteers, and alumni.

If your only objective for fostering is to find a small breed dog, we would recommend that you look for a reputable breeder or with other rescue groups.  We only want fosters joining our team who want to make a difference by helping dogs and the rescue as a whole.  New fosters are not given priority to adopt small breed dogs from within our rescue.