Fostering FAQs

We deeply appreciate your interest in fostering and your goal to support our mission to save the lives of Newfoundland and Newfoundland mixes across the United States.
Here is a comprehensive overview of the foster process:

What Does the Foster Process Look Like?: An NNR dog’s journey in foster

Key Team Members & Responsibilities

When a dog enters foster care, a dedicated support team ensures its well-being and successful adoption. One specialist from each department is included in a chat space with the foster family. Each dog has a network of specialists managing various aspects of its care:

View the team specialist chart here! Our Team

Foster Process & Check-Ins

Decompression Period (Week 1):

  • The first week is focused on allowing the dog to settle in, ensuring it feels safe and comfortable.
  • Photos and media from the foster are used to introduce the dog to the rescue community and supporters, as well as raise awareness of the rescue’s efforts to the public.

Week 1 Check-In (7-10 Days In):

  • The foster, placement coordinator, and foster support coordinator check in to discuss early impressions, challenges, and overall progress.
  • Establishes primary communication channels for ongoing updates in the foster chat.

Week 2 Check-In (Approximately 7 Days After Week 1 Check-In):

  • Focuses on understanding the dog's specific needs and developing a wishlist for a forever home.
  • Placement coordinators assess whether the foster family is considering adoption before interviewing potential adopters.
  • A time for open discussion on successes, concerns, and necessary steps adjustments.
  • Regular updates and adjustments are encouraged at any time via the foster chat.
  • Forever home wishlists will continue to update and evolve over the coming weeks.

Foster-to-Adopt (FTA)

When a dog is ready for adoption and has received core vaccines/exams but still requires medical care from the rescue, we may designate it as FTA. This allows the dog to begin bonding with its forever family while the rescue completes necessary medical commitments (spay/neuter, follow-ups, tests, etc.). In all other aspects, the dog is considered adopted.

Foster Fail

A "foster fail" occurs when a foster family decides to adopt their foster dog. While the term implies failure in fostering, it represents a loving success story where the dog finds their permanent home.

Does the Foster Family Choose Their Dog’s Adopter?

Foster families provide essential insights into the dog’s needs and ideal home. While they do not make the final decision alone, their input shapes the selection process.

Placement coordinators carefully match approved adopters—each rigorously screened—to the dog’s specific needs. The focus is always on finding the perfect match for the dog, not simply finding a dog for a family. The dogs’ needs and desires are prioritized over all else. Placement interviews help determine which adopter is best suited for a particular dog. Once finalists are identified, the foster family and placement team review the options together, with final approval by a placement team manager.

The Go Home Packet

Each team meticulously documents the dog's journey, culminating in a "Go Home Packet." This comprehensive resource includes:

  • Behavioral assessments and management recommendations.
  • Complete medical history and current medications.
  • Foster-provided insights on habits, preferences, and needs.
  • Resources for health, training, and safety tailored to the individual

FOSTER FAMILY FAQ’S

Who pays for vetting?

National Newfoundland Rescue pays for all veterinary care. Authorizations are sent to your veterinarian outlining covered care. Rescue also pays for supplements and over the counter medications.

Who pays for food?

Foster pays for food unless the dog requires a special diet or prescription food, in which case the rescue pays for the food.

How long is a foster period?

The average dog is adopted within 6 weeks, as long as veterinary appointments are made promptly and plenty of media and personality information is provided by the foster family so the team can create fresh social media content on a regular basis. Fosters are asked to plan for 10 weeks. Special needs/medical needs can lengthen a foster period but typically that timeline is known in advance.

What if a dog needs to move to a different foster?

This can take anywhere from 24 hours to one week. Fosters are requested to report any travel or vacation plans well in advance when possible. Boarding can be provided for emergencies if another foster isn’t available quickly.

What if a dog is offered for foster and the foster family feels it’s not a good time or not a good fit for their home?

Fosters are encouraged to consider whether timing or match is right, it’s perfectly fine to decline a foster for any reason. Fosters are given all the information on each dog that can be discovered in advance to make this decision. The intake team does in depth interviews with surrendering owners and collects information from the dogs’ veterinarians. Nothing can be 100% guaranteed but intake does a thorough job getting as much information as possible.

Does National Newfoundland Rescue take in dogs with a history of biting or aggression?

No, these dogs are not a fit for a foster-based organization. If there are questionable behaviors that come up in the interview phase with a surrendering owner, certified trainers will join the interview call to assess risk and safety.

How does National Newfoundland Rescue prepare foster families?

How will the foster know how to integrate a new dog in to their home and handle issues? Foster families are given a live orientation with accompanying reference videos in advance of the dog’s arrival. They are also supported throughout the process with daily communication in their “foster chat” as well as weekly check-ins either by jot form and/or conference call.

If a foster adopts their foster dog, do they have to pay the adoption fee?

Yes. Even though the adoption fee rarely covers vetting and other expenses, it does help to offset some of the cost of rescuing a dog.

For more questions please email: fosterteam@nationalnewfoundlandrescue.com

Thank you again for supporting rescue!

Warm regards,

The Foster Network Team at National Newfoundland Rescue Inc.