You’ve decided to open your home to foster cute little furballs who desperately need individual love and attention. Did you know foster requests increased by 90% during the pandemic? Learn how to prepare your home for fostering dogs. There is more involved than just picking up the dog and bringing it home.
Pet fostering is currently the new norm, changing human and animal lives. This trend seems like it is here to stay. Even a 2% increase in fostering could prevent euthanasia, making this lifesaving and critical for shelter dogs.
As a pet parent, you know how to take care of animals. But you’re probably wondering how to prepare your house and make it safe for foster dogs. Let’s learn that in this blog post.
Why Should You Foster Dogs?
On average, there are 14,429 animal shelters around America. Although dog adoption rates have remained the same since 2023, there have been 5% fewer community intakes.
A whopping 3,118,000 dogs and cats were rescued and sheltered in 2024. Most of them need foster pet parents before they can find a forever home.
A study states that animal shelters are usually very stressful for dogs. Thankfully, human interaction (in the form of foster care) can help improve their experience, mental health, and more.
Here are the main reasons you should foster a dog:
- This brings joy and love into your home and provides a flexible way to care for shelter dogs
- It will help free up shelter space for other animals who need more attention (medical or otherwise).
- You can offer socialization, training, and one-on-one attention to make dogs more adoptable.
Fostering dogs is a great way to create a social atmosphere for your pets. It can also teach children about compassion and responsibility.
3 Ways to Get Your House Ready for Foster Dogs
Before you can bring your foster dog to your home, here are a few things to remember:
#1. Get the Appropriate Cleaning Products
Let’s face it: Dogs will make a mess. During the first few weeks, you’ll find yourself cleaning up little accidents. Some shelter dogs aren’t even potty trained.
Therefore, it’s best to keep pet-safe cleaning products handy. Examples include baking soda, enzymatic cleaners, vinegar, and more. But avoid harsh chemicals and go for bleach-free alternatives.
If you have other pets or little children, get professional help to ensure everyone’s safety. That’s because dog poop can carry bacteria, fungi, or infections that can harm them.
According to Scoop Soldiers, pet waste removal can help eradicate the parasites, germs, and bacteria from your lawn. It can also disinfect your yard and make that awful smell go away.
There won’t be any residual excrement lurking behind the grass, on walkways, or on flowerbeds. Services include deodorizer, sanitization, and residential waste removal. Pet parents get to choose the service frequency based on the foster dog’s behavior patterns.
Amber Willingham used pet waste removal services in Fort Worth, Texas. She said the professional and pleasant service has made her life much easier. Amber has three pets and also fosters dogs from the shelter.
Fostering can also be stressful for dogs adjusting to a new environment, so you should create a calm, comforting space as they settle in. Many foster parents apply calming aids, such as a soothing spray for dogs, on bedding or resting areas to reduce anxiety and make the transition into a new home a little easier for nervous pups.
#2. Create a Calm Space
Shelter dogs are very emotional and usually mentally stressed. They won’t trust you right away. To show them you’re friendly, create a calm atmosphere in your home by following these tips:
- Dogproof the house by removing hazards that create anxiety. Examples include loud noises, other animals, and strong smells.
- Designate a quiet area where there’s comfortable bedding. Here, the foster dog should have minimal distractions.
- Start establishing a routine to help the dog feel less overwhelmed. For instance, regular feeding times, soothing activities, gentle petting, exercise, and calming music would be great.
Creating a structured environment can help your foster dog feel relaxed and secure, prompting a smoother transition into a new home.
Remember: Patience and consistency are crucial to creating a peaceful and calm foster home for shelter dogs.
#3. Gather Essential Supplies
Once you’ve purchased the appropriate cleaning products and collaborated with a pet waste removal service provider, it’s time to gather supplies. Statista highlights the endless number of products you can choose from.
You can get animal food, toys, collars, feeders, hygiene products, bowls, furniture, and more. If you’re adopting a puppy, they will also have a set of additional needs when compared to older dogs, such as teething toys. They will also need puppy food that will support their growing needs. You can find the best dog food for large breed puppies online. Ideally, a foster dog will surely need the following supplies:
- Bowls for water and dog food (contact the shelter to know the foster dog’s dietary needs).
- Leash, harness, and collar (might be provided by the shelter).
- Poop bags for those sudden mishaps during an evening or morning stroll.
- Crate for training and safety.
- Durable and safe toys (for fetch, tug, enrichment, comfort, and more)
- Puppy pads for accidents and comfortable beds for naps.
- Nail clipper, brush, and other grooming tools.
- Training treats.
- Medication if prescribed by a veterinarian.
You should also get an ID tag with your contact information if the dog gets lost. Remember to regularly feed, house-train, groom, mentally stimulate, exercise, and crate-train it as well.
As you can see, fostering dogs can be a rewarding experience. However, it requires thoughtful preparation.
For instance, you must gather essential supplies and provide continuous care and love to the foster dog. Creating a calm and welcoming space will help them feel secure, increasing their chances of finding a forever home. However, don’t forget to keep your home clean by hiring pet waste removal services and using pet-safe cleaning products.
Remember, your kindness can make a lasting difference in their lives.
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