One Way You Can Help GHGSDR - FOSTERING
REWARD YOURSELF - and make a friend for LIFE
Do you like playing catch and going for walks? How about getting loved on and being lavished with kisses? Do you like cuddling up with a soft loyal friend at the end of a long day? Most of all, do you enjoy rewarding experiences - especially knowing that you saved a life?
If any of these things appeal to you, please consider becoming a foster for Greater Houston GSD Rescue. Fostering a German Shepherd is a rewarding experience in many ways. The most exciting part of fostering is witnessing the amazing transformation of a majestic, intelligent creature. Most of these dogs arrive at their foster homes scared and confused and have no clue what it's like to feel the love of a human. They've been neglected and sometimes abused by their former owners. Foster parents have the unique opportunity to teach that scared dog to trust and love again and blossom into the regal, self-confident, loving animal he was meant to be.
Here are some of the most common questions asked about fostering:
Is fostering a lot of work? Like any volunteer opportunity, there is some work involved. You will be temporarily adding a new member to your family and will be responsible for providing for his needs - walking, feeding, playing, training and most importantly, loving him.
What are my responsibilities as a foster? You will be a nurse, a teacher, a record keeper, a behaviorist, a groomer and a friend —basically, a parent. GHGSDR will provide you with a booklet of information on everything you need to know while fostering for us. Our foster coordinator will answer all of your questions before you receive your first dog, and all of our volunteers will assist and support you during your journey. We will help you arrange vet appointments and will always be available to support you. We have an organization full of dedicated volunteers who are ALWAYS willing to answer questions and lend a helping hand. You will be joining our family!
How big of a commitment am I making? How many dogs do I have to foster? You can foster as little or as much as you would like. If you want to foster once a year, twice a year, or multiple times a year - it's up to you. We appreciate any time you are willing to donate to these precious animals!
How long will the foster dog be with me? Well, that depends upon the dog. Some dogs come to us healthy and are ready to be adopted right away, so they may be in our program for only a short time. Some dogs arrive with health issues (such as needing heartworm treatment). They might be with you for up to a couple of months. If this kind of commitment is daunting, we are also in need of emergency/vacation fosters. This is a very short term commitment - one to two weeks (as many times a year as you are willing). As an emergency foster, you would temporarily foster a dog, that would otherwise be put to sleep, until a permanent foster home opens up. Or, you may fill in for another foster while they go on vacation.
Don't you get attached to the dog? YES, we do, but as fosters we know we have to let go. Though it's hard to say "goodbye" to your foster, once you see the smiles on the adoptive family and the wagging tail of your foster you know you have made a difference. It's so rewarding to know that your foster dog has found his forever family and is being lavished with love and that you played a part in getting him there! Not only are you helping to save a German Shepherd's life, but you are also touching the lives of the families that adopt these dogs. Most adopters continue to send pictures and stories to their dog's foster parents long after the adoption. It's awesome to be a part of adding a new member to a family! You get the pleasure of changing lives!
The reward of fostering is so great - you give so little, yet receive so much. Please consider fostering a German Shepherd for us. Just fill out our application (click here) on-line or go to our Apply to Adopt page above.. Where it asks "what dogs are you interested in?" write the word "FOSTER". If you have any questions, please call or email and a volunteer will be happy to talk to you about this rewarding experience.
Greater Houston German Shepherd Dog Rescue
A 501(c)(3) exempt volunteer organization
Greater Houston German Shepherd Dog Rescue
PO Box 610150 m Houston, TX m 77208-0150
281-506-0400
