About Fostering for BROOD

BROOD always has a need for good foster homes. Many bassets come to us who have been starved, neglected, beaten or abused. Some bassets were given away because they were "too big," "too old," "shed too much," or have been replaced by newer pets or even furniture. Some have had beloved owners die. Even physically healthy and well looked after dogs are often emotionally distraught and confused by the loss of their former homes.

BROOD can usually find homes for all our bassets, but it takes time! We want to find the perfect family, so that our dogs will not suffer yet more traumas in the future. This is where foster parenting comes in.

As a foster parent, you will be asked to make a commitment to providing a temporary home for several days or weeks, during which time BROOD will be looking for the perfect, permanent adoptive family for the dog. BROOD will pay all medical charges for the basset while in your care. You will be asked to provide food, love, and emotional support for the basset during this crucial transitional time. In addition, you'll give us feedback about the dog so that we can ensure a good match. You may also need to administer medications, or give special loving attention.

Nothing is more rewarding than to take in a sad, lonely, despondent dog and see him or her revive, and turn into a loving and happy pet. When he leaves for his new permanent home, you will have the joy of knowing the part you played in making it all possible. And perhaps - to take in your next foster dog!

Our need for foster homes is an ongoing problem. We typically need about 20 more foster homes for our bassets who instead are spending their days and weeks in our kennels at a cost of over $125 a day. A gift of your time and effort by becoming a foster parent is just as important as making a donation and will provide these dogs with the love they need while waiting for their forever homes.

Fostering Resources

If you are interested in fostering or if you are currently fostering, there are several forms you will need:

• To become a foster home, you will need to complete a Fostering Application.
• If you are doing a foster house visit, you'll need to complete the Foster House Visit Report.
• Once you are approved as a foster home, you will need to complete and sign the Fostering Agreement (PDF file requires Adobe Reader).
• You must complete and regularly update a Foster Dog Report on your foster.
• The Vet Check Form (PDF file requires Adobe Reader) to be printed out and submitted with vet bills for foster dogs.
• The Foster Dog Photo and Video Guide provides tips for getting good photos and videos of your foster for the website.

Fostering Questions

Nothing in rescue work is more important than providing a foster home for our adoptive bassets, so please consider opening your heart to provide temporary housing for a needy hound. Some typical questions we get from new or prospective fosters are:

• What kind of facility is required? If you share your life with a basset now, chances are that your home is fine. A fenced yard, fresh water, and a shelter are the basics.
• How much notice will I have? Often we don't have more than one day's notice on an incoming hound; sometimes, just a few hours. When relocating existing fosters, we are able to give several days' notice.
• What do you do when you can't find a foster home? If we have sufficient funds, we may be able to board the dog at a kennel until a home becomes available. If funds are low, we sometimes are unable to provide assistance. This is why foster homes are critical.
• What will I be responsible for? Providing a safe, loving environment, regular feeding and freshwater. We also rely on foster homes to provide a written evaluation of the dog's behavior and attitude, to keep an eye out for problems, especially aggression.
• What will BROOD be responsible for? BROOD will take care of all medical bills for the dog. BROOD will handle placement, although we welcome suggestions and help in this area.
• What if the foster dog doesn't work out in our family? We will take back the basset at your request. We won't make you feel guilty (promise).
• What if I foster a dog and love it so much I can't part with it? BROOD does not encourage our fosters to adopt their foster dogs but we do understand that it happens. There is even a name for it: "Foster Failure." BROOD's policy on fosters adopting their foster dog was developed with both the foster and the adopter in mind. We want to be fair to both of you. Remember, there is a list of approved adopters, who have been waiting for that right basset to come along for them to adopt and fulfill their dreams of owning a basset. When you adopt your foster dog, you have essentially leap-frogged ahead of all those who have been waiting (some for a long time) patiently to adopt. So if you feel you are going to be a Foster Failure, you must contact the and IMMEDIATELY and declare your desire to adopt your foster dog. You must also submit an Adoption Application (even if you had also submitted a Foster Application earlier) but DO NOT send us a $10 application fee. Provided you have had the dog for at least two weeks AND there is no other approved adopter interested in your dog, you will be first in line to adopt once the two-week period is up. If there is an approved adopter who has already expressed interest, you must wait until they decide to pass on the dog first. Even if you do adopt, we hope that you'll also be able to continue to foster - foster homes are one of our greatest needs.
• How long will I keep a foster basset? This greatly depends on the "marketability" of the hound. Young dogs are usually adopted quickly, within a couple of weeks. Older dogs and those with medical or behavior problems take longer. We like to keep a hound for at least a week in order to evaluate its behavior. In the case of a dog whose history is known, the turnover time may be shorter.
• I can't foster right now, but I'd like to help. What can I do? Monetary contributions are welcome! Consider becoming a virtual foster for one of our kenneled dogs. You can also volunteer to pick dogs up or transport them, work at a foster table, and help with other rescue activities.

Go ahead! Apply to become a foster home or now!