Question re short term fostering \ respite?

[karenmcg]

I was wondering what people's thoughts are on having dogs out of the kennelss on short term foster / respite?

I know there are a few trusted vols who take dogs home for a weekend or a few days / couple of weeks and then they go back to the home.

I also see posts where a dog has been adopted out and is then returned within a few days / weeks as the adoption has broken down for whatever reason. When this happens there are often comments that this must be upsetting for the dog in question, but a dog surely can't differentiate between going out of kennels for a weekend break and being adopted and then returned??

Don't shoot the messenger I'm not being critical of either occurrence per se, but I see other rescues asking people to give one of their dogs a break away from the kernels, especially over the Christmas period when many people have more time at home to spend with a dog.

I can see this would be a lovely idea but what if the dog is then even more miserable when it goes back to the kennels...

Discuss - nicely! ;-)

[seonlasil]

Cardiff dogs home is a pound not a rescue.

[karenmcg]

I'm aware of that. What's your point, apart from semantics?

[jenc]

One of the factors that will determine this for the dogs home is the fact that it is most likely governed by the council rules & regulations especially around insurance for example.

Another factor to consider is that if a dog is in a foster home it so impact on the times that dog can be seen by prospective rehomers, as I doubt the foster home would be able to bring the dog down to the home each time someone pops by to see them.

In respect of home visits etc, I firmly support this as its such a good way to inform prospective rehomers of what the dog is like in the home environment & for me the main reason for walking & posting up afterwards is that it helps gain an understanding of the dog & of its needs - with the ultimate goal of ensuring he/she goes to the right home. Which is what all on this forum hope for.

In relation to your comments about the dog's not knowing the difference between a home visit & actually going home with a family & then being returned, I firmly believe that they do recognise this difference. In many of these situations they are told 'this is your new bed,New bowl etc' dogs are alot more receptive then we probably give them credit for.

The main concern for me is actually the people that take on dogs without realising how much effort, hard work, patience & time is needed when taking on a dog & settling it into your home. All we can do is make their time in the dogs home as positive as possible.

[Becky]

Absolutely spot on Jen x

[karenmcg]

Great, thanks. I just wondered what people thought if it's generally a positive thing to do or not. I can see that fostering a dog for the Christmas holidays, when they couldn't be rehomed anyway, would give them a much needed break from kennels, even the good ones like CDH, and take the pressure off if lots of strays come in, but I'm concerned it would break their hearts when they had to go back afterwards Anyway, thanks for your response x

[shell17]

Hi Karenmcg having fostered a pooch for a weekend earlier this year it was me whose heart was broken (sobbed.... nay…. wailed like a baby!!) when I took him back!!

He, however, was absolutely fine and trotted off for a walk with the peeps who later became his new family!!!

By spending time with the pooches away from CDH we can see what they are like in the home and share the details in the forum. It not only helps peeps to learn about the pooches but also raises the profile of the pooch in question.

So personally I think it's a good thing. :-)

[seonlasil]

I also think it's a good thing, and would do it especially for the older dogs, it breaks my heart seeing them in kennels

[cassie]

Karen, I have been fostering a dog who is actually on maternity leave and gave birth on Saturday. She is a lovely, affectionate girl who bonded very quickly with me and wanted me to be nearby during the whelping. In kennels she was, apparently, sad and reserved and didn't show herself off well to potential adopters. I am just hoping that the information that I will be able to provide, in the next few weeks, will give an insight as to how she will be, in a new home, and help her to find one, as she is such a gentle, easy, affectionate girl, in a home environment. 

[Baglady]

Only just seen this thread. Thanks to everyone who has replied earlier, and for what it's worth, here's my twopenn'orth

We don't routinely put dogs into home respite, and never, ever without a good reason. Sick and poorly dogs who need to be watched carefully for the best chances of recovery, 'sticky' dogs who need a bit of extra help with a more in-depth assessment, and,for example, dogs who struggle badly in early November with firework displays going on around the Bay. And (of course) whelping bitches!

One of the worst things that anyone could do to a dog who has already lost his/her family once is to over-bond with them while they are on respite, because when they are taken back to kennels they have to go through the emotional trauma of loss all over again.

This is one of the reasons that Friends never wanted to go down the fostering route. It takes a very special person to understand exactly what a dog needs when it is in a foster home. The very small handful of trusted vols who have taken dogs into their homes understand how important it is to ensure that the dogs benefit from being away from the Home, by giving them the respite and care they need to recover from illness/disease, to relieve them from a temporarily stressful situation in the Home, and/or to improve their rehoming opportunities by giving them an in-depth home assessment..... it is not a 'jolly' for these volunteers, it can make a life and death difference to these particular dogs.

If a rehomed dog is returned to CDH it is generally because rehomers overwhelmed their new family member before it had a chance to settle, or because their expectations were unrealistic. This can be and is very confusing for a dog. Our respite-givers know how to introduce a dog into their homes, they know not to over-bond, they understand what they are doing and why, they don't go all out to make the dog 'love them', which would result in the dog experiencing a feeling of loss when they are returned to kennels. They take the opportunity to help the dogs learn good manners around food, to learn to settle when left, and address any other small issues which may present an obstacle to rehoming.

I'm really glad you asked the question Karen - I'm sure a lot of people will be wondering the same thing, and it's useful to be able to set out our position and to clarify what we do and why.

Susie xx

[karenmcg]

Thanks Susie! I appreciate your in depth reply. Xx