Want to foster? Please read the basic fostering guidelines list. These are not the official requirements of any Airedale organization --- they are just common sense guidelines for the safety of your family and the foster dog. If you fulfill these basic requirements, please contact the U.S. or Canadian Airedale Rescue Volunteer nearest you and apply to provide a home for a foster Airedale. If you don't meet all of the requirements, but have extensive Airedale experience, please contact the volunteer closest to you and explain your special circumstances.
Basic Requirements for Fostering
The purpose of fostering is to get to know the dog. We need to know if they are good with children, cats, other dogs, too enthusiastic for most people, get on furniture (a dog who is used to sleeping in bed should not be placed in a home where dogs are not allowed on the furniture), is an exceptionally sloppy drinker or is food aggressive, digs holes all over the yard, is a clinger or is aloof, is a kisser or is not, etc. Once we know the personality of the dog, we can find a home suitable for that particular dog.What is required from you?
1. Previous Airedale ownership experience.
2. Demonstrated responsible dog ownership.
3. Willingness and ability to take the foster Airedale to the vet, the groomer, classes, etc.
4. Ability to "let go" and say goodbye to your foster dog.
5. Any children living in your home or visiting more than once every six months must be age 10 yrs. or older. This is a safety consideration for all. Most dogs that arrive in rescue have unknown histories. They may have been teased or abused. Most Airedales are excellent with children when brought up by loving families and even most rescue dogs will be fine with children, but it would be irresponsible to place a dog with an unknown history in a family with young children. It is impossible to keep dogs and children under supervision every moment of every day. A mistake in judgment could lead to a lifetime of trauma for the child and the parents and death for the dog. If you have young dog-experienced children, offer to visit with dogs in foster. Under your close supervision, you can help determine whether the dog would be good with children.
6. If you do not own your home, we need your landlord's written permission to have a foster Airedale in your home. We also need written permission from any roommates.
7. Almost all foster home applicants must have a fenced area attached to their home's back or side door. The fenced area is for the dog's safety and your convenience. A kennel run is usually not acceptable, but discuss this with the Airedale Rescue Volunteer nearest you.
If you do not have a fenced area, you may still be eligible to foster, especially Senior dogs. Please note that the Invisible Fence alone cannot be used for foster dogs - most Airedales will run through the boundary.
8. Your own dogs need to be at least tolerant of other dogs. We want to minimize the risk of fights.
9. Short-term foster situations are necessary once in a long while. But, long-term foster homes are ugently needed. Airedales are stressed from being bounced from foster home to foster home. It also creates a logistical nightmare to keep moving a dog from one "temporary" foster home to another.
Airedale Rescue needs understanding, patient foster Moms and Dads to commit to fostering a dog until it is placed in a permanent home.
Read Fostering Katie to give you an idea of what is involved.Fostering an Airedale is a lot of fun! It can also be learning experience of your life, and the saving grace of an Airedale's life. If you want to try fostering a dog, please telephone or e-mail your nearest U.S. or Canadian Airedale Rescue volunteer, and start the foster home application process today!
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