Animal Welfare Professionals

 View Only

  • 1.  Fostering Debacle - Need Advice/Resources (The Ups and Downs)

    Posted 01-29-2026 03:33 PM

    Hi everybody, 

    I would like to get some advice/support/leads on a temporary foster situation that's still ongoing. I know shelters and rescues are swamped and advertising on facebook has become challenging. Here's some background:

    I was perusing through facebook and saw a dog on the euthanasia list in March 2025 and agreed to be a temporary 2 week foster for someone who was interested in adopting her. This dog was tagged "rescue only". I messaged the creator of the post and they had provided me the shelter info and when to pick her up. This dog is tagged "rescue only" to which I believed she was backed by a rescue. I thought cool, coordination was going to be great.  Come to find out, this dog was NOT rescue backed (the poster of the post is part of an outreach group that has an agreement with someone from a rescue to pull dogs) and the original adopter had backed out. Not only that, we found out that she was pregnant and no one at the shelter or group knew of this. The outreach group did not help - they actually got angry that I had even asked what the next steps with our temporary foster dog. 

    Fast forward to now: 10 puppies delivered in an inflatable swimming pool in my friend's studio on 04/20 (Easter babies!!) and all adopted thanks to Pound Puppy Rescue!! and the foster dog is in my friend's care as of now.  

    We're really happy that we were able to save 11 lives but my friend can no longer support the foster dog. What was supposed to be 2 weeks turned into almost a year. 

    Sorry I know this is all pretty scrambled so I'm happy to clarify any questions but here's some more info:

    • We are located in the East Bay area
    • The dog has a bite history but totally happened under specific and explainable circumstances but NEVER bites me or my friend (I put my hands in her mouth all the time)
    • People were very interested in her early on but she still had some stranger danger at the beginning but does well now
    • Rockstar personality and mannerisms:  big cuddler, gentle groomer, potty trained, crate trained
    • She's an amazing dog and would make someone really happy!!!! 
      She is laying down on my friend's stomach (does this every morning!)

    We're afraid that her bite history makes it difficult to adopt her. Some rescues have even flat out said no because they couldn't handle the liability. We cannot return her to the shelter but we're getting to the point of having to. 

    Thank you so much for reading and please let me know your thoughts, thank you! 


    #FosterPrograms

    ------------------------------
    Elisa Ha
    Sr. QA Specialist
    Small Biotech
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Fostering Debacle - Need Advice/Resources (The Ups and Downs)

    Posted 01-29-2026 04:54 PM

    Hi Elisa,

    So sorry for your experience. It's a bit odd that they let you take a rescue only dog - usually that means they will only outcome to another shelter or foster-based adoption org.   

    I'd have your friend post on the Rehome website and local rehoming FB groups. I'm in the EB too and if they search 'bay area adopt and rehome' they should be able to find a few FB groups to post to.  If you post in local groups, be sure to say how big she is. She's a cutie, but its really tough to estimate size from the pic you shared.

    A lot of local shelters will allow rehome posts, so i'd also reach out to them explaining the situation and asking if they'll post her for you. 

     Sheila



    ------------------------------
    Sheila Segurson, DVM, DACVB
    Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist
    Director of Shelter Solutions
    Maddie's Fund
    Pleasanton CA
    9258608284
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Fostering Debacle - Need Advice/Resources (The Ups and Downs)

    Posted 03-03-2026 12:51 PM

    Hi Sheila,

    Thank you for your reply! We've been posting her around all the facebook groups for this past year and no luck! Even got some people coming out to meet her :- ) I think her initial aversion to strangers sets her up for failure.. And with so many dogs in greater need than her with less "behavioral issues", I see why :- (

    Last month I sent so many emails to rescues in the area but no luck! Today I posted across over 10 groups in the bay area. Hoping for something soon.



    ------------------------------
    Elisa Ha
    Sr. QA Specialist
    Small Biotech
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


Related Content