If you know you want a dog but maybe now is not the time to own one permanently, and you still want to help dogs in need, you would be a perfect foster family.

Not a day goes by that HDF doesn't receive a number of phone calls or emails begging us to take a shelter dog or a stray whose owners cannot be found. Often, we must put dogs on waiting lists or reluctantly turn them away simply because we don't have a foster home available. Our foster homes are our most important link in our rescue chain. Without their hard work and assistance, we could not save, rehabilitate and place these homeless dogs.

Rescued dogs are very special and have special needs. Many of these dogs have never been given any love, obedience training, or medical treatment. That's where HDF comes in. All our rescued dogs receive emergency medical care if necessary as well as routine medical care: have their shots brought up to date, are tested and, if required, treated for heartworm, are put on heartworm preventative, etc.  Then, dogs are sent to foster homes for continued nurturing until a permanent home is found for them.

Foster homes provide more than room and board; they provide an environment in which the dogs can continue to grow healthy and happy. We try to match foster dogs and homes based on the preferences and skills of each home. For example, those who enjoy obedience training will get those dogs needing more help in this area; those whose strength is nurturing will foster dogs in need of lots of hugs or special care. While at the foster homes, the dogs are evaluated so that our Adoption Coordinator can make the best match between adoptive home and available dog. If the dog would be happier as a service or working dog, you can help us test for and discover this too!

Because our goal is not to simply find homes for these dogs, but also to meet their physical, mental, and social needs before placing them, our dogs average five to seven weeks in our system, more if necessary.  Working with these dogs can sometimes be frustrating and very time consuming, but seeing your "diamond in the rough" foster go to its new home happy and well adjusted is incredibly satisfying and rewarding. Our foster homes tell us their experience has made them better and more knowledgeable dog owners. As in the adoption process, once your application is received and reviewed, a telephone interview ay be conducted, followed by a house check. If approved, we will contact you about fostering your first dog.

We provide all medical care for the dogs. Our foster homes donate their home, time, food (we can even supply food if necessary), love, and all the other necessary ingredients for a healthy, happy dog. Our foster home program is flexible - we work around your schedule. When you are available to foster - you let us know. While an HDF dog is being fostered in your home, our Adoption Coordinator will contact you about scheduling a mutually convenient time for potential adopters to visit the dog, whether at your home or another convenient location. This allows adopters the chance to play and interact with the dog to see if this is "the one." You may be asked to assist the Adoption Coordinators in finalizing the adoption.

As a foster home, you are not directly involved with the actual selection of the adopter. The Adoption Coordinator is responsible for this and, more importantly, for approving applications from potential adopters. It is very common for all your neighbors and friends to show an interest in your new foster dog. Please remember to direct all interested parties to our website or have them call us at 782-8387 for application information, for this is always the first step in applying to our adoption program.

If you are considering adopting a dog yourself, fostering is a great way to discover just what temperament of dog is best for your household. Depending upon the circumstances, you may have first choice of adopting an HDF dog. Many of our foster homes continue to foster our dogs even after they have adopted one of their own - we love that!

In a nutshell, you supply the love and TLC, and we supply all medical care. You need not be a canine expert, just an unabashed Dog lover!

If you would like to become a foster family for our rescued dogs, please fill out the foster questionnaire* and mail it to us. If you have questions about the program that were not addressed here, please call us at (808) 782-8387.