foster help needed

We need foster homes....we can't bring in the dogs without you.   Please open your home to a dog in need.

So often I hear, "I don't know how you do it.  I couldn't give up a dog that I'd fostered."

Yes, it's hard -- harder with some than with others.  But they need someone to take that risk.  Without someone willing to give a piece of their heart these dogs would, quite literally, die.

A while back, I ran across this story.  It explains, better than I could, how foster homes keep doing what they do.  If you've ever said, "I couldn't give up a dog that I'd fostered," please read "Little Pieces of My Heart." and consider risking your heart -- for the dogs.

Chris Harriman, GSRNE foster mom

Also read "For All Those That Foster."

 Many nice GSDs are given up by their families to shelters, where overcrowding is a constant problem. Sometimes, euthanasia for lack of space can be a reality, even for nice, healthy dogs--even if they are truly great dogs. 

It's not the fault of shelters that this happens. Shelter personnel always hope that GSRNE can take in a nice GSD before the dog's time is up. And we can do it if we have loving foster families waiting to help us take in these nice dogs and provide them with a good family life until they find their permanent family. 

Help these dogs to live to see another sunrise, to fetch another ball, and to find that great adoptive home they were meant to be in. Join the GSRNE team and help save good German Shepherd Dogs! 

For information about fostering, take a look at our guidelines for fostering below, then give us a call at (978) 443-2202. 
 

Requirements for fostering a GSRNE dog:

1.  GSRNE foster homes must be located in one of the six New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont).  Foster homes must also be fairly close to our intake facility and support system.  This may exclude some homes separated by too much distance to travel by car.

2.  Any children living in your home or visiting more than once every six months must be age 10 yrs. or older. This is a safety consideration for all.

3.  If you do not own your home, you need your landlord's written permission to have a foster GSD in your home. You also need written permission from any roommates.

4.   All foster home applicants must have a fenced area attached to their home's back or side door.  The fenced area is for the dog's safety and your convenience.  A kennel run is usually not acceptable, but we can discuss this on a case-by-case basis.   The fence needs to be a minimum of 4' high, but doesn't have to be elaborate or expensive, nor does it have to encompass your entire yard. 

 For senior and some special needs GSD's, the fencing requirement may be waived as exercise requirements for these wonderful dogs can often be fulfilled with leash walks and in-house play.   If you do not have a fenced area, you may still be eligible to foster Senior dogs - please e-mail to find out if you may qualify.  The Invisible Fence alone cannot be used for foster dogs - most GSDs run will through the boundary.

5. Your own dogs need to be at least tolerant of other dogs. We want to minimize the risk of fights.

6.  We do look for short-term foster situations once in a long while. But we urgently need long-term foster homes . GSDs are stressed from being bounced from foster home to foster home. It also creates a logistical nightmare to keep moving a dog from one "temporary" foster home to another.

7.  We need understanding, patient foster "Moms" and "Dads" to commit to fostering a dog until it is place in a permanent home. The average placement time for a GSRNE dog is 3 months.

What GSRNE provides for foster homes:

     All food for the foster dog.

     All authorized veterinary care for the foster dog.

     Exact instructions to follow and tests to perform on the foster dog.

     Training on how to read the foster dog's reactions to various situations.

     Support and aid for you for any questions you have along the way.

     Loans of crates and dog dishes for the foster dog. 

     The knowledge that you are giving a GSD extra time to live and another chance to find a loving, safe home!

Want to foster? If you fulfill the basic requirements listed above, please apply to provide a haven for a foster GSD!   You can  e-mail  or call the GSRNE 24-hour Voice Mail Hotline at: (978) 443-2202

Can't foster? Check out our Buddy Program  or become a member of GSRNE and learn other ways you can help the dogs. Look here for a few foster poems.

Below are 3 flyers that you can print and post in your area

FosterLetter.pdf  Detailed info on our foster program