Fostering FAQs
Why is fostering so important?
There are three huge benefits to fostering. First, it benefits the dog by giving them a loving place to decompress and de-stress from life in a shelter or boarding facility. Oftentimes dogs are so scared in those environments they may develop health and/or behavioral issues over time. They can lose weight or get sick. They may not get enough mental or physical stimulation; both critical to a dog’s well-being. In a home they can relax, exercise their bodies and minds, and thrive. Second, our fosters (and by extension, TARA'S HOUSE) learn about the dogs in their care. The information (e.g. the dog’s fears, likes/dislikes and behaviors) is extremely helpful in matching a dog to a future adopter/home. Dogs in foster have an easier transition to a forever home, and TARA'S HOUSE will be able to give valuable information about the dog to their new owner(s). Fosters can help start a dog on the right path by providing training for basic manners and commands, making the dog more adoptable. Finally, fostering saves precious resources. It’s far more cost effective to house a dog in a foster home than it is in a boarding facility, making it possible to rescue more dogs and keep the virtuous rescue cycle going.
There are three huge benefits to fostering. First, it benefits the dog by giving them a loving place to decompress and de-stress from life in a shelter or boarding facility. Oftentimes dogs are so scared in those environments they may develop health and/or behavioral issues over time. They can lose weight or get sick. They may not get enough mental or physical stimulation; both critical to a dog’s well-being. In a home they can relax, exercise their bodies and minds, and thrive. Second, our fosters (and by extension, TARA'S HOUSE) learn about the dogs in their care. The information (e.g. the dog’s fears, likes/dislikes and behaviors) is extremely helpful in matching a dog to a future adopter/home. Dogs in foster have an easier transition to a forever home, and TARA'S HOUSE will be able to give valuable information about the dog to their new owner(s). Fosters can help start a dog on the right path by providing training for basic manners and commands, making the dog more adoptable. Finally, fostering saves precious resources. It’s far more cost effective to house a dog in a foster home than it is in a boarding facility, making it possible to rescue more dogs and keep the virtuous rescue cycle going.
I've never fostered before. Is there training available to help me?
The TARA'S HOUSE foster coordinator will be able to support you before and during your foster experience. She will go through the Foster Contract with you, which explains the do’s and don’ts of fostering and lays out the agreement between you and TARA'S HOUSE. We also have a network of current and former fosters who communicate and support one another through a private FaceBook group. The group has a combined experience base of many decades and it’s likely that any question or situation has already been encountered.
The TARA'S HOUSE foster coordinator will be able to support you before and during your foster experience. She will go through the Foster Contract with you, which explains the do’s and don’ts of fostering and lays out the agreement between you and TARA'S HOUSE. We also have a network of current and former fosters who communicate and support one another through a private FaceBook group. The group has a combined experience base of many decades and it’s likely that any question or situation has already been encountered.
Where is TARA'S HOUSE and where do I need to live to be a foster?
TARA'S HOUSE is a 'virtual' dog rescue, meaning we do not have a brick and mortar shelter available for public visitation. Instead, we are a network of volunteers who allow our rescued dogs to live with us in foster care until they are adopted. We adopt to the entire state of MD and the Metro Washington, DC/ Baltimore Area including: DC, the areas of and surrounding Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Reston and Woodbridge, VA. Additionally, we will adopt to those from the Harrisburg and York PA Metro Area and the eastern panhandle of WV. We limit our adoption area to uphold the highest quality adoption process and honor our lifetime commitment to our dogs. If you live outside any of the areas listed, please inquire whether you can foster a dog for TARA'S HOUSE.
TARA'S HOUSE is a 'virtual' dog rescue, meaning we do not have a brick and mortar shelter available for public visitation. Instead, we are a network of volunteers who allow our rescued dogs to live with us in foster care until they are adopted. We adopt to the entire state of MD and the Metro Washington, DC/ Baltimore Area including: DC, the areas of and surrounding Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Reston and Woodbridge, VA. Additionally, we will adopt to those from the Harrisburg and York PA Metro Area and the eastern panhandle of WV. We limit our adoption area to uphold the highest quality adoption process and honor our lifetime commitment to our dogs. If you live outside any of the areas listed, please inquire whether you can foster a dog for TARA'S HOUSE.
How long will I have the dog in my care?
There is no certain timeframe that it takes for a dog to be adopted. Some dogs find their people in a relatively short amount of time (i.e. a few weeks to months) and sometimes it takes longer than we would like. A foster is not required to keep the dog until it is adopted, although that is the best circumstance. With a robust and active foster community, dogs that are in foster for a long period of time may be moved between foster homes when it makes sense to do so. At any time, fosters are able to relinquish their dog to TARA'S HOUSE for planned vacations, emergencies or if circumstances change and you are no longer able to foster.
There is no certain timeframe that it takes for a dog to be adopted. Some dogs find their people in a relatively short amount of time (i.e. a few weeks to months) and sometimes it takes longer than we would like. A foster is not required to keep the dog until it is adopted, although that is the best circumstance. With a robust and active foster community, dogs that are in foster for a long period of time may be moved between foster homes when it makes sense to do so. At any time, fosters are able to relinquish their dog to TARA'S HOUSE for planned vacations, emergencies or if circumstances change and you are no longer able to foster.
Are there adoption events that I am required to attend?
Periodically TARA'S HOUSE will host adoption events and will work with fosters to have dogs attend. In the past events have been held in Mt. Airy, MD, Frederick, MD, Walkersville, MD and Charlestown, WV. Going forward we will look to add more locations such as Annapolis, MD and the surrounding areas. A foster is not required to bring their dogs to these events but it does showcase the dog and gives it exposure to increase the likelihood of being adopted.
Periodically TARA'S HOUSE will host adoption events and will work with fosters to have dogs attend. In the past events have been held in Mt. Airy, MD, Frederick, MD, Walkersville, MD and Charlestown, WV. Going forward we will look to add more locations such as Annapolis, MD and the surrounding areas. A foster is not required to bring their dogs to these events but it does showcase the dog and gives it exposure to increase the likelihood of being adopted.
What happens if I "foster fail" and want to adopt the dog in my care?
We will celebrate your “foster success” and the adoption donation will be reduced if you “succeed”.
We will celebrate your “foster success” and the adoption donation will be reduced if you “succeed”.
