The most mustachian pet is a foster pet

[druth]

I'm sure that some would be unwilling to do this because you don't get to keep the pet forever, but we have started fostering dogs. 

Everything related to the dog (or cat or other animal) is completely free, and they are effectively your pet until they get adopted.  If you go on vacation somebody from the foster group will watch the pet you are fostering, or you can just plan to not have a foster pet around that time.

And then in the end you have helped a pet find a family while letting them hang out in your house instead of a tiny cage.

If I could go back to the pet decision from square 1, I would have my cats but only foster dogs(cats are much easier to leave alone).  It's definitely something to consider if you aren't sure about the expense of a pet, or if you are traveling a lot.

Anybody else have foster animals?

[madamwitty]

This is an idea I hadn't considered before. I love having a cat but not all the time. The vacation thing can sure be a headache.

When my current cat passes away (hopefully not for many years!) I was planning not to get another cat. But maybe I don't have to be cat-less forever.

Thanks for sharing.

[Spork]

We've got 3 foster kitties right now (plus 2 forever cats and 2 forever dogs).

It's been fun and rewarding.  When we got them they were seriously ill and malnourished.  They were living outdoors and it was about to be extremely cold.  I'm almost certain our fostering saved them from dying.  Now they're about 5 lbs -- happy, healthy and full of energy.

I will say: It's had some downsides.  They came with ringworm and even with what we thought of as "extreme caution"*... all my animals got it, my wife got it and I got it.  Mine was head to toe.

*extreme caution meaning: kittens were always kept in closed room. We changed clothes before/after going in.  We washed our hands.  We sprayed the bottoms of our shoes with antifungal spray.  We changed from our cheap ways of re-using towels/sheets for a week to washing every other day, etc.

[druth]

Wow!  I haven't had any with ring worm, and for that matter I didn't even realize people could catch it.

I know that our foster group says that if any of your animals catch something from a pet they place with you they will pay for the treatment of your pet, I haven't gone through that yet though.

I certainly don't want to paint it as perfect picture though, foster animals often have problems that you wouldn't find in an the average pet, but if you aren't prepared for the harder cases there are definitely options to foster more straightforward cases as well, with no medical or serious behavioral problems.

In about a month we are taking in a 'Hospice foster'.  That being we will take her until she is put down due to age and medical conditions, unless she can make a very strong turn around and be moved up to adoptable status.  That will be our first 'difficult' case.

[smalllife]

This is our plan down the road, either instead of or in addition to our own dogs.  I don't think I could foster cats without adopting them ;-)

[Spork]

Wow!  I haven't had any with ring worm, and for that matter I didn't even realize people could catch it.

Yeah, it seems pretty contagious (even though we've had 2 vets tell us it isn't).  It's just a fungal skin infection.  It's a pain to deal with, but isn't dangerous or even really very itchy -- just red and ugly.  It's the same fungus as athletes foot, jock itch and toenail fungus.... It just seems to be called different things depending on where you get it.

[fallstoclimb]

Yeah we tried fostering a dog couple years ago.  He is now our forever dog.  Whoops!  #sorrynotsorry

[CATman]

Fostering animals is fantastic. Over the past 6 months we've fostered 6 kittens and we have a puppy who is having a meet and greet with a potential forever home this weekend. It's hard because you do get attached, but so rewarding when you know they haven't spent their time in a cold lonely shelter while finding a permanent home.

[SeanMC]

Fostering is a good way to enjoy pets, keep costs down, and do good in helping them find a forever home. They often cover most of the costs (food, vets, etc.) and if the rescue/shelter is a non-profit, you can also deduct some additional out of pocket expenses related to volunteering (e.g., mileage for picking up/dropping off, driving to adoption events).

However, like with any pet situation, you do have to be careful about property damage. I say this as an animal lover, experienced dog person, and having had my own pets and fostered before. There is a bigger risk with fostering a string of pets, who are coping with the instability and whom you do not know as well, than with simply having a family pet. It can take more attention and management (using a crate, leash or tether) to prevent problems with chewing, digging, toileting in house, and so on.

Fostering can be really great and frugal. You just have to know what you might be getting into with any pet brought into the home, whether temporary or permanent.

[HenryDavid]

Yup.
Since our dog died 8 years ago (!) we dog-sit for friends, foster dogs, walk our friends' dogs for no reason . . . and even walk ourselves to the dog park.
Lots of dog in our lives. They aren't "our dog" though.

[Rosy]

No way could I ever give up a kitty, so fostering is not for me. We lost both our long time kitties this year and last year.
Usually our pets seem to find us, last year a feral kitten found it's way into our backyard - it was in such bad shape I thought it might be a hairless cat at first. Now he's fat and happy with a thick fur coat.

I would like an all black, older female kitty - we'll see. I've never gotten the kitty I set out to get yet:)

[aetherie]

Yes! Boyfriend and I came to the same conclusion, although for us it was more about wanting to have something small and furry around to love on without having to make a 15 year commitment.

We've had our foster cat for two weeks now. We told the rescue that we had a nice quiet apartment with no other pets, so they gave us a cat who was being bullied by the alpha cat at his previous foster home. He's much happier now being the only cat... he's still extremely skittish, but he will rub up against my leg and purr when I pet him, and just in the last few days he's started exploring more of the apartment rather than hiding in the closet all the time. :)

[Gin1984]

Anybody else have foster animals?

I used to, then I got sad when we gave up one of the three.  Then I kept my last foster.  You need to have more willpower than I do. 

[Knitwit]

Wow!  I haven't had any with ring worm, and for that matter I didn't even realize people could catch it.

Yeah, it seems pretty contagious (even though we've had 2 vets tell us it isn't).  It's just a fungal skin infection.  It's a pain to deal with, but isn't dangerous or even really very itchy -- just red and ugly.  It's the same fungus as athletes foot, jock itch and toenail fungus.... It just seems to be called different things depending on where you get it.

This is so disgusting, but I once caught ringworm from my husband. He didn't tell me he had a bad case of athlete's foot and I used his towel one day after a shower. It took months for it to finally clear up. What eventually worked was using Selsun Blue like body wash, it's got some kind of anti-fungal active ingredient that works on both dandruff and ringworm.

Needless to say, DH and I have never shared a towel since.

[sisto]

I currently have 2 dogs and wouldn't trade them for the world, but this is something I have also considered for the future for myself. I agree that it really keeps costs down and also provides lots of flexibility. My main concern has already been mentioned, getting too attached and keeping the animal. I definitely fear that might happen. When I get to that stage, I should already be retired and I plan to stay busy and travel so I don't get the urge to keep them. :)

[Gin1984]

I currently have 2 dogs and wouldn't trade them for the world, but this is something I have also considered for the future for myself. I agree that it really keeps costs down and also provides lots of flexibility. My main concern has already been mentioned, getting too attached and keeping the animal. I definitely fear that might happen. When I get to that stage, I should already be retired and I plan to stay busy and travel so I don't get the urge to keep them. :)

I tried to mitigate this by fostering cats and not dogs (my favored animal).  It did not work.

[sisto]

I currently have 2 dogs and wouldn't trade them for the world, but this is something I have also considered for the future for myself. I agree that it really keeps costs down and also provides lots of flexibility. My main concern has already been mentioned, getting too attached and keeping the animal. I definitely fear that might happen. When I get to that stage, I should already be retired and I plan to stay busy and travel so I don't get the urge to keep them. :)

I tried to mitigate this by fostering cats and not dogs (my favored animal).  It did not work.

LOL

[Cassie]

Fostering is a great idea. Both my hubby and I are too weak for this too work for us. I have a good friend that does it but sometimes keeps the animal so fails occasionally.

[Cookie78]

I have my own dog who I love and will keep and care for until the end. But I also have exciting long term plans that will not happen until I no longer have a pet to care for. I have been fostering one dog at a time, in addition to my own, for nearly 2 years. There was only one who I got attached to enough to think about keeping, and if I wasn't set on my long term plans I likely would have adopted him. But my long term plans are too important to me. My dog is 6.5 years old and I might consider adopting an elderly dog, but I can't make the long term commitment for a young dog. Fostering solves this problem. Being able to help these pups learn some new skills and find a good life, all while socializing my own dog, is beneficial for everyone involved.

[alleykat]

I would not be able to part with them. But, the freedom of it would be great.

[alleykat]

I have my own dog who I love and will keep and care for until the end. But I also have exciting long term plans that will not happen until I no longer have a pet to care for. I have been fostering one dog at a time, in addition to my own, for nearly 2 years. There was only one who I got attached to enough to think about keeping, and if I wasn't set on my long term plans I likely would have adopted him. But my long term plans are too important to me. My dog is 6.5 years old and I might consider adopting an elderly dog, but I can't make the long term commitment for a young dog. Fostering solves this problem. Being able to help these pups learn some new skills and find a good life, all while socializing my own dog, is beneficial for everyone involved.

Yes, smart.  When my last cat died, I swore no more pets because I wanted to travel freely.  Then a family member told me about two kittens and I went to see them. Huge mistake.  I love these two but wish I waited and stuck to my guns.

[Cookie78]

I would not be able to part with them. But, the freedom of it would be great.

Perhaps I don't have a soul, but I don't find it that hard at all. I would never be able to part with my own dog, because I've have him over 6 years. He's a part of my life until the end. But parting with a foster dog that's been living in my house for 20 days to 2.5 months (the shortest and longest dogs I've had so far) isn't that bad, especially when you see them leave with a new family who is so excited. It has only caused tears once, and even then it was only briefly. Most of the time it's a sense of relaxed peace and quiet while snuggling my own dog and knowing I helped save a life.

[MandyM]

I've been a cat foster for the last 5 years. I love it. I have two foster failures, which is pretty good I think - when I started I was definitely worried that I would adopt several. It certainly takes a certain type of person to be able to foster. It also takes some pretty tolerant resident pets. My (recently deceased) dog paid little attention to the cats, which helped. And my cats are so used to the revolving door of new cats they are hardly phased. Actually, they seem rather bored right now since I only have one foster that is quite the lazy loaf.

Wow!  I haven't had any with ring worm, and for that matter I didn't even realize people could catch it.

I know that our foster group says that if any of your animals catch something from a pet they place with you they will pay for the treatment of your pet, I haven't gone through that yet though.

I have had several fosters with ringworm and thankfully, I have not caught it. I must just not be prone to it because I did not take vigilant precautions. The downside is that I am now known by my rescue group as the go-to person for ringworm cases.

I am really surprised your group will cover illness spread from your fosters. The sad truth is that my group is broke all of the time and just can't cover such things.

In about a month we are taking in a 'Hospice foster'.  That being we will take her until she is put down due to age and medical conditions, unless she can make a very strong turn around and be moved up to adoptable status.  That will be our first 'difficult' case.

Good luck with your hospice foster. I've had several with health issues ranging from severe to chronic but stable. I had to euthanize one that I had for 6 months. Its tough, but I would do it again. He had a pretty great 6 months outside of a few rough days.

[MandyM]

I would not be able to part with them. But, the freedom of it would be great.

Perhaps I don't have a soul, but I don't find it that hard at all. I would never be able to part with my own dog, because I've have him over 6 years. He's a part of my life until the end. But parting with a foster dog that's been living in my house for 20 days to 2.5 months (the shortest and longest dogs I've had so far) isn't that bad, especially when you see them leave with a new family who is so excited. It has only caused tears once, and even then it was only briefly. Most of the time it's a sense of relaxed peace and quiet while snuggling my own dog and knowing I helped save a life.

I'm with you, I don't find it difficult to part with the vast majority of my fosters. Cried over one adoption out of ~100. I've had cats for 8-9 months before (most are much shorter term). I think a lot of people would surprise themselves if they gave fostering a chance.

[Spork]

I would not be able to part with them. But, the freedom of it would be great.

Perhaps I don't have a soul, but I don't find it that hard at all. I would never be able to part with my own dog, because I've have him over 6 years. He's a part of my life until the end. But parting with a foster dog that's been living in my house for 20 days to 2.5 months (the shortest and longest dogs I've had so far) isn't that bad, especially when you see them leave with a new family who is so excited. It has only caused tears once, and even then it was only briefly. Most of the time it's a sense of relaxed peace and quiet while snuggling my own dog and knowing I helped save a life.

I'm with you, I don't find it difficult to part with the vast majority of my fosters. Cried over one adoption out of ~100. I've had cats for 8-9 months before (most are much shorter term). I think a lot of people would surprise themselves if they gave fostering a chance.

We haven't hit the parting yet.  I'm not sure how that will go.  Since mine are the "ringworm kitties" and are somewhat quarantined ... we're probably not quite as attached as we would be to cats that were in our face all the time.  We do try to do some dedicated play time in their room, but it's not like our own cats that pile on us when we sleep or watch tv.  (I think these cats would do that... they just don't get the opportunities.)

[lsaurus]

We love fostering! We have fostered 54 kittens.  It is so funny fun.  We keep them until they are 2 months old, 2 pounds in weight and healthy.  We haven't failed yet.  It's awesome because we get to play with fluffy little fur monsters for 2-6 weeks and then our rescue group finds them homes. Kitten season is over for a couple of months so we are going to try fostering a dog.  We pick the little guy up today after work. 

[PJ]

I am a foster failure a couple of times over, but have had some very successful fostering experiences too.  Over time, I've learned my tolerances and my weaknesses. 

What I can't do is foster young and healthy animals.  I get too attached too quickly, and I will keep them.

What I can do is palliative fosters - as others have commented, this is where you care for an older or ill animal until it is time to have them put to sleep.  This allows them to spend their final days in a comfortable homey environment.  Usually, these are animals whose life expectancy is somewhere in the "months" realm.  Those whose death is imminent would probably be put down rather than placed, those who life expectancy is years would probably still be adopted out, or fostered until they were adopted.  However, a couple of my palliative fosters (1 dog, 1 cat) did live for approximately 2 years.

Palliative fostering is not for everyone.  You have to be able to cope with them dying, or take breaks as needed periodically when it gets too sad.  You'll probably also have to do some medical interventions - medication, hand-feeding or force-feeding at times, and subcutaneous fluids.  Ideally, able to transport them to and from the vet easily, though I did a lot of fostering while traveling by transit - and the vet used by the rescue was approximately 1.5 hours each way by bus, subway, and bus.  Good times!

[zephyr911]

Kind of a cynical way of gaming the system and wouldn't work that well if we all tried it. I wanna give more to the foster/adoption system, not take advantage of it.

We're all here to save money, don't get me wrong, but if you want to live in a big-picture way you try to save money in ways that don't just involve outsourcing the cost to someone else while you get the bennies.

[druth]

I don't see it as gaming the system.  It's a mutually beneficial arrangement.  One way of giving to the foster system is to foster animals, so I don't really see how you are taking advantage of them.

As others have said you do have to accept the downsides - sick, elderly, behavioral issue animals are more common, and you have to say goodbye when somebody adopts them.

[MandyM]

Kind of a cynical way of gaming the system and wouldn't work that well if we all tried it. I wanna give more to the foster/adoption system, not take advantage of it.

We're all here to save money, don't get me wrong, but if you want to live in a big-picture way you try to save money in ways that don't just involve outsourcing the cost to someone else while you get the bennies.

This is the most cynical view of animal fostering I've heard. I agree with druth - its mutually beneficial. In fact, it very likely saves shelters and rescue groups money because animals in foster care tend to be healthier (less stressful environment, less exposure to illness). If fostering isn't something you can or want to do, fine. But saying foster homes "take advantage" is pretty offensive. Those of us that do it know that it is far from just getting the "bennies."

[MandyM]

My husband is really into animals, and I'm...not. Maybe fostering would be a good way for him to get to be a pet owner without the long-term commitment?
 
Any thoughts on fostering with small children?

If you are willing to foster, then its maybe better than nothing for your husband. But its not really the same as having a pet that is "yours." I guess I would caution that being into animals is one thing, being into animal rescue is a bit different.

Fostering with small children can be great. Obviously, there are safety concerns that should be considered and most rescues can help you with that. But plenty of people are looking for a pet that is "good with small children." It does wonders if you can say: this animal lives with a toddler. We have one foster home with two little girls that love to carry the kittens around. We've had others that dress the animals up and push them around in baby carriages. It really helps socialize the animals, plus make them even more adoptable.

[Cookie78]

My husband is really into animals, and I'm...not. Maybe fostering would be a good way for him to get to be a pet owner without the long-term commitment?
 
Any thoughts on fostering with small children?

I know lots of people with children foster through the organization I am involved with. You get to pick and choose which animals will fit in with your household. Each week we get an email to list all the dogs (or cats if that's your preference) looking for foster homes. Some are ok with kids/cats/dogs, others are not. Some prefer other pets in the household. Some have terrible separation anxiety, some are ok if you are away from the home at work all day. Some are high energy, others are not. My point is, fostering can be fine with kids, because you get to choose which animals will fit well with kids, and with you.

Kind of a cynical way of gaming the system and wouldn't work that well if we all tried it. I wanna give more to the foster/adoption system, not take advantage of it.

We're all here to save money, don't get me wrong, but if you want to live in a big-picture way you try to save money in ways that don't just involve outsourcing the cost to someone else while you get the bennies.

This is the most cynical view of animal fostering I've heard. I agree with druth - its mutually beneficial. In fact, it very likely saves shelters and rescue groups money because animals in foster care tend to be healthier (less stressful environment, less exposure to illness). If fostering isn't something you can or want to do, fine. But saying foster homes "take advantage" is pretty offensive. Those of us that do it know that it is far from just getting the "bennies."

In addition, animals who are fostered into a home become much more adoptable compared to animals stuck in a kennel, enabling the agencies to save more lives.

[alleykat]

I would not be able to part with them. But, the freedom of it would be great.

Perhaps I don't have a soul, but I don't find it that hard at all. I would never be able to part with my own dog, because I've have him over 6 years. He's a part of my life until the end. But parting with a foster dog that's been living in my house for 20 days to 2.5 months (the shortest and longest dogs I've had so far) isn't that bad, especially when you see them leave with a new family who is so excited. It has only caused tears once, and even then it was only briefly. Most of the time it's a sense of relaxed peace and quiet while snuggling my own dog and knowing I helped save a life.

I wouldn't say nor do I think this at all. I admire and am happy people care enough to foster animals. Breaks my heart to know so many need homes.  I just get attached super quick, unfortunately. 

A friend of mine fosters kitties.  Although, she doesn't work with a shelter, she finds strays that need help and helps them.  Then adopts them out. She has been doing it for years and enjoys it.  She also had 10 of her own. LOL

[PJ]

A friend of mine fosters kitties.  Although, she doesn't work with a shelter, she finds strays that need help and helps them.  Then adopts them out. She has been doing it for years and enjoys it.  She also had 10 of her own. LOL 

If only it was so easy to guarantee that you'd be able to adopt them out!  I suspect I know why she has 10 of her own :-)

My two youngest cats were found as stray kittens, in separate incidents 6 months apart.  I already had several cats and a dog of my own at the time, and was determined that I wasn't going to keep either of them.  I worked my networks hard both times, without success.  They are both still with me, and that was 4-5 years ago now...

[Gone_fishing]

We fostered a dog before, but shortly after that got a forever dog.  My husband then said he wanted a second dog to keep our dog company.  So I suggested we start dog sitting.  It has worked out great.  Our dog Annie is a great doggie hostess. She now makes an income and has friends. :) 

[hudsoncat]

Kind of a cynical way of gaming the system and wouldn't work that well if we all tried it. I wanna give more to the foster/adoption system, not take advantage of it.

We're all here to save money, don't get me wrong, but if you want to live in a big-picture way you try to save money in ways that don't just involve outsourcing the cost to someone else while you get the bennies.

I might be the exception, but I doubt it. I'm pretty sure I'm not coming out ahead on this fostering thing money wise. I usually end up spending money on my fosters one way or another. Yes, the agency I foster for provides vet care, food, etc. for the dogs, but I know their resources are thin, so we offer to take on a lot of the smaller costs when we offer to take on the dog. It's easier to feed the same food our dogs eat (unless the foster needs something special), the same treats, etc. So we provide that. I've had foster dogs that absolutely destroyed all our dog toys or a collar snap broke or... there always seems to be some misc. costs associated. It all comes out of our charitable giving budget line item.

I thought it would be hard to let them go. And it is a little. But it's completely heartwarming to get updates from their new families and realize what a wonderful life they are living now. I think when our current dogs pass, we will likely not get more for a while, but continue to foster. I know our agency is always looking for fosters without other animals at home for those dogs/cats that do not like other animals or need quiet situations for a while.

[RetiredAt63]

I haven't fostered so this may be completely random - but could the relationships be likened to teachers who have children?  They love their children and of course the children are family.  They also care about their students, but know the students will move on in life.

[CU Tiger]

We have fostered about 14 dogs. Four of them became our family dogs. 1 was a hospice foster, he lived with us for 2 years before he died. The other 9 were adopted out.

Fostering a dog is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have (other than adopting, of course). By taking an animal in need temporarily into your home you're: freeing up a spot so the shelter or rescue can take in another dog.

[Cromacster]

I'd note that not all fosters pay for all expenses, but if the foster is properly registered as a charity anything you provide for the dog is tax deductible.  Training, food, vet bills, meds, etc etc

[druth]

Kind of a cynical way of gaming the system and wouldn't work that well if we all tried it. I wanna give more to the foster/adoption system, not take advantage of it.

We're all here to save money, don't get me wrong, but if you want to live in a big-picture way you try to save money in ways that don't just involve outsourcing the cost to someone else while you get the bennies.

I might be the exception, but I doubt it. I'm pretty sure I'm not coming out ahead on this fostering thing money wise. I usually end up spending money on my fosters one way or another. Yes, the agency I foster for provides vet care, food, etc. for the dogs, but I know their resources are thin, so we offer to take on a lot of the smaller costs when we offer to take on the dog. It's easier to feed the same food our dogs eat (unless the foster needs something special), the same treats, etc. So we provide that. I've had foster dogs that absolutely destroyed all our dog toys or a collar snap broke or... there always seems to be some misc. costs associated. It all comes out of our charitable giving budget line item.

I thought it would be hard to let them go. And it is a little. But it's completely heartwarming to get updates from their new families and realize what a wonderful life they are living now. I think when our current dogs pass, we will likely not get more for a while, but continue to foster. I know our agency is always looking for fosters without other animals at home for those dogs/cats that do not like other animals or need quiet situations for a while.

This is my experience also.  We dog sat for a foster a few days ago and he tore through toys like crazy.  Unfortunately our foster office is pretty far away (half hour+) so I'm more likely to just buy some new toys myself and tax deduct them instead.  Similarly, we are fostering a tiny blind dog, I suspect if I went looking for toys for him at the office they wouldn't even have any.  We are trying to find jingly or scented toys for him, and he's so little(7lbs) that even small toys are often too big, so there goes 10$, oh well. :P

Also we do just feed them our dogs food, fortunately we only foster the little guys, so they don't exactly eat us out of house and home.

If I were a better mustachian I would find a foster group with a closer office to us.

[druth]

I started fostering this month. the first dog we got was a disaster, just a terrible fit for my family, plus I had some unexpected health issues, so he had to go right away.

Can't wait to try again..

Any advice for a newbie?

Be aware that most fosters have some sort of problem, though some problems are more manageable than others, so a 'perfect' fit is rare.  That being said, some dogs are just not a good fit, and that can't be helped (i.e. aggressive towards kids and you have kids, cant use stairs and you have lots, etc.).

[iris lily]

I counted up the foster dogs we have had, and there have been 20 over the years. I foster for Bulldog Rescue, but have had a couple of Boxers as well (lovely dogs!)

Currently we have no foster dogs,  just our dog, but he started out as a foster and he was a foster failure. Before he came here I was getting attached to the boy dogs who came in, and I had a hard time giving up the last 2 or 3 boy dogs. But because they didn't get along with all of our French bulldogs of the time, so they had to go. Its funny that one of the boy fosters got along with one of the Frenchies, and the other boy dog got along with a different Frenchie. Crazy.

For short term fostering, we live with gates that cordon off rooms and can put up with some dogs that are somewhat dog aggressive, but for real adoption, I Want all of my dogs to get along.

[Cookie78]

I started fostering this month. the first dog we got was a disaster, just a terrible fit for my family, plus I had some unexpected health issues, so he had to go right away.

Can't wait to try again..

Any advice for a newbie?

Be aware that most fosters have some sort of problem, though some problems are more manageable than others, so a 'perfect' fit is rare.  That being said, some dogs are just not a good fit, and that can't be helped (i.e. aggressive towards kids and you have kids, cant use stairs and you have lots, etc.).

Agreed, though almost all of my fosters had very few, if any 'problems'. Some were too high energy for me, but that's easily remedied by lots of walks and breaks in between fosters. There were almost always some medical issues (sometimes just spay/neuter surgery), but usually by the time they get to me it's just a matter of administering various medication. We have specific medical fosters for those dogs who need special care, are dealing with major surgeries, or are contagious.

If your rescue organization doesn't already offer this information, you could ask specifically for dogs who will be a good match with your family (not aggressive with kids, for example). Other than that, it's hard to give advice without knowing the specifics about why this dog was a bad fit. Some dogs may have issues that will make it hard for them to settle into a new home for the first week or even month. They may not be friendly or house trained or social.... but part of the job of the foster parent is to give the dog a chance to learn positive traits and help them become more adoptable for others. Some dogs are easier than others (I seem to get the easy ones), and your organization should be able to help you find the right fit.

[hudsoncat]

I started fostering this month. the first dog we got was a disaster, just a terrible fit for my family, plus I had some unexpected health issues, so he had to go right away.

Can't wait to try again..

Any advice for a newbie?

I think both of the other replies you received are spot on. I would agree with Cookie to really talk with your foster organization. My husband and I usually end up the the high energy terrier mixes. Because we have two Jack Russell's. We know how to handle terriers and it isn't that hard to fit another high energy dog into what we already do to keep our own from bouncing off the walls. One of our recent fosters actually came from another foster home where the fit just wasn't good. That foster and the agency now know they (the foster family) do not have the patience to deal with a terrier needing some behavioral work nor do they enjoy the exercise requirements. However, that foster family is absolutely fabulous working with hospice situations with dogs that I'm not sure I'd have the heart for... talk to your agency. Be clear about what you are willing and capable to handle.

Mine certainly knows what works for us, or maybe they just know we are suckers that fall for all the hard luck stories and trouble making terriers...

[SeanMC]

I started fostering this month. the first dog we got was a disaster, just a terrible fit for my family, plus I had some unexpected health issues, so he had to go right away.

Can't wait to try again..

Any advice for a newbie?

Use a crate. Heavily limit the foster dog's freedom. With both kids and a cat, you have to be very careful about prey drive, "wild" mouthy play, and resource guarding issues. Food and chews given in crate until you get to know the pup. Never feed the foster or give valuable treat/chew in open space, certainly not around kids. Don't leave toys lying around.

More important - Figure out your "niche." There are common dogs that pass through foster homes on the way to adoption.

The wild/untrained adolescent - dogs surrounded between 6 months and 1 year  once they are big, not cute puppies, and have never been taught manners (no mouthing, jumping, etc.). These dogs typically have high energy too. Many suffer from stupid breed restrictive laws (e.g., pit mixes). 

The senior dog - lost home due to finances, life circumstance changes, sometimes people being terrible. May have medical needs.

Undersocialized shy dogs of any age - may come from being "outdoors" or hoarding situations. May just have never been taken out much (small dogs) and now can't be around children, noise, triggers, etc.

Young pup from unplanned litter - May be stray or surrendered. Likely under 6 months. Will adopt fast. Mostly an issue of housetraining and socialization.

There are all sorts of behavioral problems that are minor in one home and impossible in another, so it's mostly about figuring out what works for you. For example, dogs with serious separation anxiety can be tough to foster and adopt out. If someone is always home, you can serve an important need.

Sometimes it's really about the organization you are fostering for. What do they know about dogs they take in? How responsive are they to placing dogs in your home that match? You don't ever want to feel pressured to take a dog or that someone is minimizing your concerns. There is (sadly) always another group needing fosters if one is not respectful of your needs.

[sabertooth3]

I'd note that not all fosters pay for all expenses, but if the foster is properly registered as a charity anything you provide for the dog is tax deductible.  Training, food, vet bills, meds, etc etc

I haven't fostered a dog (yet), but looking online in my area this seems to be the norm. The organizations around me even say that they won't pay for food, leashes, or training, and medical bills have to be preapproved before the organization will pay. Maybe orgs elsewhere in the country aren't like that, but just read the fine print before signing on the dotted line.