Fostering with Strong Hearts

Thank you so much for becoming a foster carer and joining our team. Fostering is very rewarding and one of the most crucial roles for rescuing homeless animals. Fostering does save lives and you will be supported throughout your entire fostering journey.

As a foster carer you will need to provide a warm, nurturing environment in which our dogs can thrive in to  prepare themselves for a home. You supply a safe, stable, loving environment. We provide you with what you need, including food (if required) and cover all veterinary costs. Many of our requirements are legal obligations - under the companion animals act and prevention of cruelty to animals legislation - so please follow our instructions and rules.

While fostering we request that you do not foster with any other rescue groups or bring any other strays into your care. We have a high standard of vet care and we can’t have our dogs at risk of infection from a new dog being brought in.

​

How to start fostering

Once you have advised that you are able to foster a dog or puppy, we will load you up with the supplies needed for the duration of the care and when your fosters are ready for collection you will be given the day and time for pickup, we will work with you for a convenient time.

​

Ways you can help

•  Strong communication with core team members on health, weight, concerns and if you need support

• Looking for fantastic photo opportunities and forwarding them on to assist with adoption process (cuter the photo easier to rehome)

• Ensure your foster cannot escape.

​

To foster you will need

- Bedding
- Toys

 

Food brands that we recommend

-  (Royal Canin, Blackhawk, Advance or Science Diet)
- (Royal Canin, Blackhawk, Advance or Science Diet)

Isolation

This is one of the most important questions we ask. We are a rescue group, so the dogs we take in will need a period of 14 days in isolation, especially if you have existing dogs/pets. During the 14 day isolation period your foster dog will be isolated from your household pets, furniture and carpets (if possible).

​

Flea and Worming

All dogs will be flea/worm treated prior to coming to you. If your foster pup requires further treatment you will be provided with it.

​

Travel

It is important that you can drive and have access to a car so you are able to drive to vet appointments. Many of the dogs we rescue are not yet desexed, microchipped or vaccinated, so we arrange for these procedures at one of the vets we use that is located closest to you. Being able to drive is also extremely important in case of an emergency, so you can get them to the vet quickly. Desexing appointments are usually an 8:30-9am drop off, and pick up is usually around 4pm.

​

Photographing your fosters

Look for photo opportunities when possible. A good photo is the difference between a dog staying in care for weeks. Photos with good lighting that really capture the cuteness, quirks and personality of your foster will really help with their adoption.

​

Communication

Communication is super important when fostering. Questions are fantastic! There is no such thing as a silly question. If you are concerned, have any questions please reach out to your foster coordinator or write it in the support group chat.

Each Sunday we will require an update on your foster dog, including photos. This is just so we can ensure everyone is supported and every dog is receiving what they need. It is also a legal obligation. If contact isn’t made on Sunday a core team member will contact you personally.

​

Foster failing - wanting to adopt you foster?

If you do fall completely in love with one of your foster dogs please let your coordinator or a team member know as soon as possible.

​

Adoption process.

Once your dog has been fully vetted, we will start the adoption process - we will reach out and ask that you send us all the adorable pictures that you have and a few words explaining the personality and the best suitable home for each individual pup. They all have their own personalities and requirements and it is crucial we know so that we can find them the perfect match.

​

Meet and greets

Using the details and photos you provide we will set up profiles and start looking for suitable and beautiful homes. Once a successful application is submitted a thorough phone interview will take place, if this is successful a coordinator will reach out to you to organise a meet and greet. If the meet and greet goes well, the adoption can take place on the day. You will need to tell your coordinator how the meet and greet goes. If successful your coordinator will send through the account details to the adopter and email through all vet paperwork (desexing certificate, vaccination history, microchip details and change of owner forms).

Saying goodbye is bittersweet, however it is important to remember that your goodbye is their hello to a long and beautiful life in a loving home, and then you have space to save another life. Adopting saves one life, fostering saves hundreds.

​

When to contact us immediately?

- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Any weight loss
- If your dog become lethargic, cool or warm to the touch
- Not eating
- Not toileting

- Any unusual behaviour, anything that concerns you concerns us.

It is always best practice to reach out immediately if you have even the slightest of concerns.

What to do if you have an emergency?

Contact a core team member on their mobile number or through the foster facebook chat. If you are unable to get in touch with one of our volunteers, head directly to Meow Veterinary Hospital - Ph: 8725 0727

7/1050 Thompsons Road, Cranbourne West (hours are 9am-5pm Monday-Friday - closed on the weekend).
If you cannot get hold of a core team member or Meow vet, and you are experiencing an emergency, please take your foster dog to your closest emergency vet.

​