Animal Welfare Professionals

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  • 1.  Long-stay Fosters

    Posted 05-19-2025 03:02 PM

    Hello everyone!

    I'm the new lead DVM in a municipal shelter.  We have several dogs that have been in their foster homes for 11+ months. Some fosters are great about promoting their foster pet, but others... aren't. I honestly feel like some of them are gaming the system by essentially getting free food, toys, and medical care for "their" dog.  

    I've put out the idea of doing a foster swap, where fosters swap animals q3 months and they receive med and behavioral assessments at that time, but that's been a bit lukewarm in its reception with foster coordinators. Many of our long term fosters are in foster because of behavioral issues, which could lead to an ET decision if returned to the shelter. 

    Do you have any suggestions on how to encourage fosters to either adopt, promote, or ...get off the proverbial pot? 

    Thanks!


    #FosterPrograms

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    Hope Hunter
    Staff DVM
    Metro Animal Care and Control (Nashville, TN)
    TN
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  • 2.  RE: Long-stay Fosters

    Posted 05-20-2025 05:43 AM

    I've had a lot of luck with reaching out individually, telling them we're looking to do some targeted marketing for their foster and asking for photos, video, etc. Sometimes  that'll get them making a decision. These adoption action plans might be useful as well:

    Humane Rescue Alliance

    LifeLineAP



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    Kelly Duer
    Senior Shelter Solutions Specialist
    Maddie's Fund
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Long-stay Fosters

    Posted 05-20-2025 10:21 AM

    Hello Hope.

    I volunteer with MidAmerica Rottweiler Rescue. I do intake, fundraising and foster. Our group has a few dogs who have been with us for years. Behavioral issues have impeded adoption in these cases, and I suspect that often happens with large breed dogs. I don't doubt that some people game the system, but I strongly suspect that those people are few and far between. My first foster had been passed around and she needed TPLO so I brought her in as not many people have time for that recovery. It was hard as she and my other female did not get along.  She found her forever home after being with me 7 months. Having a long foster is not unusual. It is not ideal, but I think long fosters are better for dogs than confusing them with new homes that may not be ideal.

    Have the fosters train the dogs as canine good citizens for a benchmark and milestone. Once the dog has passed the test, encourage the foster that the dog is adoptable and vigorously promote the dog's adoption status on your own website.

    Good luck to you, Hope!

    s
    Sincerely,

    Adriane Blaesing



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    Adriane Blaesing
    Assistant intake coordinator and fundraising coord
    MidAmerica Rottweiler Rescue
    NE
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    Original Message


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