We invited Charissa of The Orange Chalk to share her experience in fostering dogs. Over the last few years, she, along with her own Singapore Special Lady-Mae, has been an active foster for local rescue pups.
Charissa’s current pack: Roody (left) is a cutie pie and up for adoption, chilling with Toto (right), another foster dog who will go off for his homestay next month.
What is fostering?
Fostering is opening your home and your heart to a dog to be part of your family in a home environment until the dog finds a permanent home. Many rescuers and shelters depend on fosterers because it has been proven that it is easier for the dog to adapt into a family (from the streets, forests or construction areas where they were rescued from). The goal of fostering is to have a successful adoption.
What are some things potential fosterers need to think about?
1) It is important that everyone in the household MUST agree to take on the foster dog. If one member of the household does not agree, then hold off fostering the dog because you could do more harm then help.
2) If you don’t currently have a dog, make sure you and your family sit down and agree on rules of the house (e.g. no dogs in the bedroom or couch). Note that not all shelters will allow first-time dog owners to foster.
3) If you currently have a dog, do bring your dog to meet the foster dog. Getting your dog’s help on fostering helps tremendously.
4) Knowing your capacity and ability is important. For example, if you work long hours then, it is not advisable to foster a very active dog. Or, if you are a novice at dogmanship, then it may not be advisable to take on a dog that needs rehabilitation.
Autumn and Roody learn how to sit quietly at cafes.
They key to successful fostering is clear communication with the rescuer/rehomer or the shelter that you’re volunteering with. My biggest mistake as a foster was when I took on a dog without realizing that the root problem of the dog’s behavioral issues was separation anxiety. I was working long hours at that time, and that affected the foster dog so much that she was not gaining weight. Instead, she was reducing to be skin and bones because no matter how much I fed her, she pooped it all out.
Do I need to pay for anything?
Fostering requires your time, energy and resources. Most shelters will cover the cost of vet fees. However, daily needs such as food, training treats, tick prevention or heart worm prevention may not be covered (although some shelters may pass you some tick and heartworm prevention because these are more expensive to purchase). Be prepared to fork out extra money for your foster dog.
How does fostering work?
Communicate clearly to your rehomer/shelter what limitations you may have as a foster, and that will help them to match you to a suitable dog. You may state how long you are able to foster for, although a minimum of two months is advised so that the dog has some stability.
If you can’t bring your foster dog to the vet for visits and check ups, the rehomer/shelter can arrange for other volunteers to do so.
I am quite a hands-on foster, which means that I try to be at every adoption drive that my foster dog goes to because that’s when I get to see which human might be the best fit for the dog. I also work closely with my rehomer (from Save Our Street Dogs) to give input on what kind of a family would make a good fit for the dog.
While the foster is not required to be at adoption drives, it does help your foster dog when their foster is there with them. One example was the recent adoption drive that I went with Roody, whom I’m currently fostering. He had so many inquiries that day and he did everything he was told. He showed he could Sit, Stay, Down and Come.
Dogs may also only obey someone they are acquainted with. My previous foster dog, Lulu (offically known as Luna), was so loyal that she would only sit if I gave the command. She wouldn’t sit for strangers. Lulu’s potential adopter tried many times and asked me why. I had to explain that in Lulu’s case, they had to build trust and a bond with her. Being personally present, I was able to share with her potential adopter what they could do to build a bond with this dog.
Lulu is now adopted and has been with her family for 6 weeks and I’m glad to report, they love her to bits and even though she’s dug up their garden, they have not regretted bringing her home.
Lulu (or Luna) learnt to wait by the road with Lady-Mae while the human scoops poop.
Can you share some of your experiences? How did you first start?
I got started with fostering dogs because Lady-Mae’s brother, Brownie, was being rehomed by his family. Lady-Mae’s rescuer warned me before I took Brownie that, because he was already a year old, I had to be prepared to keep him for a longer time (as compared to cute puppies). Brownie was eventually rehomed to a wonderful family after 4 months.
Lady and her brother, Brownie, wait so very patiently at the boundary to the kitchen while food is being prepared.
Now, I volunteer for fostering because I realize that many dog owners struggle with their dogs in the initial period…some owners have shared with me they didn’t know what to do. I want to foster dogs to help people find joy in having a dog.
Charissa will share some practical tips next week on how to she eases the foster dog into her home, the boundaries she sets and the basic training she puts all her foster pups through. Let us know if you have any questions for her on fostering!
Oh, and if you’re interested in adoption little Roody, please fill out an adoption form at SOSD.
The Furry Tales 
