Mid-Arizona Shetland Sheepdog Rescue.
Foster Home Info
Thank you for your interest in becoming a foster family. The Mid-Arizona Shetland Sheepdog Rescue relies heavily on foster homes to provide temporary homes for rescue shelties and particularly during busy periods of rescue activity. Our foster homes know the mixed feelings associated with placing a dog that they have come to love. They also share great joy and deep satisfaction when they see that through their efforts a rescue sheltie gets a second chance at life and a new opportunity to share his or her unconditional love with people who care. Without an active rescue program, many of the shelties that we place would have been euthanized. So our program, and your assistance, often provides a true “second chance”. If you decide to help, it will be a commitment that provides many rewards.
The following information should give you a good idea of what is involved in fostering for the Mid-Arizona Shetland Sheepdog Rescue (MASSR).
BEFORE FOSTERING BEGINS.
A MASSR representative will visit your home to help evaluate your situation and determine what type of sheltie would fit into your lifestyle most easily. We also ask that you sign a Foster Home Agreement. Once the evaluation and agreement is complete, MASSR will include you on the foster list. We ask if you have other pets, that they are current with all vaccinations since it is very important before you begin fostering. This includes vaccinations against rabies and parvovirus. In addition, if you have dogs that have not been "fixed" please be sure that we know this during our evaluation, since many rescued shelties may be intact prior to being sterilized through our program.
The first priority for a sheltie coming into rescue is to see that all vaccinations are current. A veterinarian check will be arranged to provide a general assessment on the rescue sheltie’s health. The next step is to arrange for the sheltie to be neutered or spayed and treated for any medical problems that have been found. MASSR has established reduced veterinarian pricing for its rescue shelties with a few local veterinary clinics. The rescue sheltie may need to be placed in the foster family prior to becoming current on their vaccinations and undergoing a veterinarian health assessment. Prior to being placed in the foster home, the MASSR representative will alert the foster home as to the current status of the sheltie’s immunizations and health assessment. The foster family may assist in arranging for these items to be performed or arranged for in advance from a MASSR representative.
FOSTERING...THE BASICS.
Should you decide to be a foster family, you'll take a rescued sheltie into your home and care for him or her as you would your own pet, providing food, shelter, companionship, basic training, exercise, socialization, and supplying generous amounts of patience and love. In short, you must be willing to include the dog in family activities, allow the dog to live as a house dog with much human companionship, and provide some daily one-on-one time with your rescue.
The fostering period can last anywhere from a few days to several months. The fostering period is largely dependent on a number of factors including the sheltie’s health, age, behavior, and desire of the foster home. As in the case of actual adoptions, we strive to match the sheltie with a suitable foster home. Typically, this means where the sheltie will feel most comfortable and where it will result in the least disruption to the foster family lifestyle. We will inform you of everything that we know about the rescue and how we expect it to respond to certain situations.
Often, the willingness to provide just a few days of foster care can be the difference in resolving a rescue program crisis although our initial choice is to use foster homes that can foster the sheltie for as long as it takes to find an adopter. During this time if any issues arise in your home, your homeowner insurance will cover any cost associated to you or your family. MASSR is not responsible for medical needs to you or your family, we are only responsible for coverage to the dog in your care.
ADOPTION...AN OVERVIEW.
People interested in adopting a sheltie from MASSR are asked to complete an application and/or undergo a rigorous phone screening. Once the application is approved by a MASSR representative, AND assuming there is a sheltie in rescue that might be a good match, arrangements are made for the applicant to meet the sheltie. The sheltie is typically brought to the potential applicant’s home by a MASSR representative. This helps to ensure that the home is suitable for the sheltie, that our required evaluation of the household is complete, and so that all house members can evaluate the sheltie for suitability. This insures us that the sheltie can interact with other household pets, and that there are no observed household items that would render the household unsuitable for adoption. Assuming that the home visit uncovers no items indicating that the sheltie would not be suitable for the home and that the potential adopter and MASSR representative agree that the adoption should continue, the potential adopter will sign an adoption contract.
The adoption contract specifies that the adopter will care for the sheltie and if he/she can’t, or chooses not to, that the sheltie will be returned to the MASSR rescue program. An adoption fee is paid for all rescue shelties.
THE SHELTIE'S BACKGROUND.
A rescued sheltie may have come from a shelter, been a stray, had a very wonderful home or sometimes we just don’t know. Surprisingly, the dog coming from a previous home may show the most stress, as she or he has been accustomed to a particular environment and routine, and may suffer a loss of security when thrust into a new situation. A stray dog or one coming from a shelter often adapts to new situations more readily. In any case, rescue shelties have displayed remarkable adaptability.
Unfortunately, we often don’t know a lot about the rescue sheltie’s background. Prior owners may be less than truthful or provide incomplete information. Stray dogs don’t even come with a name.
EASING THE STRESS.
Almost every sheltie has been through some ordeal before being rescued. The dog may have been in a shelter, housed under less-than-ideal conditions in the original home, been tied outside, reprimanded too much or not at all, or have been homeless and subject to many stray dog experiences. Whatever the history, the sheltie may be unsettled both physically and emotionally upon arriving at your home. Quite often dogs will mirror their environment; it helps to initially limit distractions around the house such as television, loud noises and children's activity levels. Rescued shelties need large amounts of reassurance, attention and affection every step of the way. Patience is a key attribute of our best foster families.
Signs of temporary stress include shedding, panting, pacing, general restlessness, increased water consumption, and a more frequent need to urinate or diarrhea. Sometimes the excitement of a new home and surroundings can cause the rescued sheltie to forget it was previously housebroken. Monitor food and water intake and give frequent opportunities for potty breaks for the first several days. We recommend that until you are comfortable with their housetraining that you confine the sheltie to one or two rooms initially or crate the rescue sheltie.
AGGRESSIVE DOG BEHAVIOR
As stated above, almost every sheltie has been through some ordeal before being rescued. Due to these issues we need to inform you of possible aggressive dog behavior. Some dogs are aggressive due to their nature; however shelties for the most part are not considered an aggressive dog. We do know and understand there are conditions in which a sheltie can be or can become aggressive. Aggression can be due to several reasons: food, behavior, scared, cornered, likes/dislikes of older/younger people, other dogs, etc. You as a foster must be aware of the possibilities and guard against any possible harm. Please notify one of the coordinators to any type of aggression so an evaluation can be made.
Note: that while in the care of your home, you as a home owner are responsible for harmful incidents. MASSR is not financially responsible for any medical needs or conditions which might occur. Our responsibility is in the care of the dog, so please ensure you guard against any type of behavior and notify rescue of these conditions.
Note: Under NO condition will any dog aggressive behavior be allowed to participate in adoption events. It is the foster homes responsibility to ensure such behavior is not brought to events. If you have or feel there is a possibility of such behavior, please use good judgment or notify one of the coordinators for their decision on events. These dogs can be adapted to the proper homes, but MASSR is required to provide a disclosure.
SAFETY AND SEPARATION
One of your most important tasks is to provide a safe environment for the rescued sheltie. This means always walking the dog on a leash when outdoors or closely monitoring it in a fenced area to be sure the sheltie won't try to jump over the fence. Until the dog bonds with you and your home (generally a couple of weeks), there is a greater risk the sheltie will try to run away. In any case, a rescue sheltie is at risk for trying to run away for an extended period and should always be on a leash when outside and not in a fenced yard.
Though many dogs and cats, especially those used to their owners' rescue work, welcome the rescue sheltie, keep in mind that there may be a period of adjustment for the first few days up to 2 - 3 weeks depending on the rescue sheltie's history and personality. During this time, the rescue dog may appear shy or submissive. Shelties, especially, may be particularly wary in a new situation. Proceed slowly when exposing the sheltie to its new environment. If there are other animals in your home, introduce them slowly and individually to the sheltie. Your foster may also have been hit or kicked, which you'll know immediately from his behavior around you and your family. Take it slow and easy; let the dog learn to regain trust; give him hugs and kisses as he can tolerate them; he may be surprised at first, but will eventually relish the attention and return it. As the sheltie becomes more confident, he may change his behavior towards resident pets, beginning to play and explore the pecking order.
Always feed your pets and your rescue dog separately. Be careful when dispensing treats or other high-value items like rawhides or favorite toys. Sometimes what is thought to be food aggression is actually just a territorial imperative that will take care of itself as the pecking order is established and the dogs relax. Keeping this in mind, always supervise the interactions of your rescue dog with other pets.
Carefully monitor children's or other pet's interaction with the sheltie and watch for signs they may be suffering from over-stimulation. Be prepared to initiate 'Time Outs" and separate the sheltie quickly if play becomes too rough. Do not leave the rescued sheltie alone with children or other animals until you have thoroughly evaluated the dog’s temperament. Eventhough we make every attempt to uncover all available history on each dog, we may not have the full truth about the dog, and it may be a fear biter or dislike kids. It is preferred that foster homes have experience with pet dogs, and that children in the foster family are over the age of 6 years.
When leaving the house, always separate the sheltie from your other animals until you have gained complete confidence in their relationship.
MASSR encourages the short-term use of crating for many rescue dogs. This helps dogs adapt to their new environment more quickly, can help in monitoring the level of housebreaking, protect furniture from younger or more "chewy" dogs, and also give the sheltie a small place of his own where he knows he is safe.
TRAINING
As a foster family, you help "socialize" the sheltie and make him or her more adoptable. This can include helping the sheltie learn to trust people again, as many dogs may have been abandoned or abused. You may also teach or reinforce basics like housebreaking, commands such as Sit, Come or Stay. Some shelties may have been through an obedience course and some may come with absolutely no clue about what is expected. MASSR places these shelties to be indoor dogs, but some of them have lived outside all their lives. Acclimating these dogs to indoor living and teaching appropriate "house manners” May take some time. Shelties are typically very intelligent and sensitive dogs; the use of physical punishment is typically ineffective and can often make the situation worse. Foster families should not have to use physical punishment. If you're having trouble correcting a behavioral problem, contact a MASSR representative to discuss alternatives.
HEALTHCARE
You are responsible for monitoring and maintaining the health of the sheltie in your care. This includes feeding a quality dry food, ensuring no tick or fleas becomes an issue, and watching for any sign of illness or other condition that would require veterinary care (such as vomiting, worms in the stool, coughing, ear infections, etc.) MASSR representatives will usually transport the dogs for vet. Care and home visits, but will reimburse you for approved emergency veterinary care and medications. (You must save all your receipts.) If you cannot reach a MASSR representative in case of emergency, you should take the injured or ill dog to the nearest vet who can stabilize the animal until a MASSR representative can authorize further treatment.
EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS
As a general rule, MASSR does not reimburse for foster home expenses such as mileage, grooming, phone calls, dog food, toys, leashes, collars, or crates. If you do not have a crate and would like to use one, please discuss this with a MASSR representative as we may be able to arrange for the use of a crate. If you feel that the rescue sheltie needs grooming that you can’t provide, please discuss this with a MASSR representative as we may be able to arrange a no cost grooming session. Minor, non-emergency veterinary expenses may be reimbursed if arranged for in advance with the MASSR representative. A veterinary invoice will be required for any reimbursement. Veterinary expenses constitute our largest rescue sheltie expense and must be judiciously evaluated for necessity.
SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED
Some things you will need on hand: a long leash, dog grooming brush, premium quality dog food, water and food dishes, and a method of confining and/or separating the dog (either crating, closing doors or putting up gates to certain rooms). Loaner crates are typically available from MASSR as are leashes.
FEEDBACK
As the foster family is in possession of the rescue and often in the best situation to evaluate the sheltie’s behavior and temperament, it is expected that the foster family will provide frequent feedback on those items to the MASSR representative. Feedback on the sheltie’s responses to relatively common situations and stimuli can be invaluable in identifying the optimum household to ultimately adopt the sheltie. Examples of feedback would include housetraining, interaction with other animals including cats, behavior when left alone, activity level, receptiveness to grooming and bathing, comfort level with children, any signs of aggressiveness, how the sheltie behaves in the car, responsiveness to commands, eating habits, etc.
RESCUE PLACEMENT
MASSR representatives are the only persons who can approve a permanent home for your foster dog. If you meet a potential adopter, by all means, encourage him or her to apply and provide him or her with the phone number of a MASSR representative. Explain that in addition to completing the adoption application, the prospective home must arrange an in-home visit with the dog. Please contact the MASSR representative and provide us the prospective adopter’s phone number. You must not promise or place a dog yourself. The MASSR representative must screen the applicant and interview all potential homes, and has the paperwork necessary to finalize all adoptions. Foster family input will be solicited on whether the potential adopter is suitable for their rescue sheltie.