Triangle Beagle Rescue Fostering FAQ’s
What is the purpose of a foster home?
Foster homes provide a safe, clean, nurturing family environment to a rescue beagle. As a foster family, you are asked to provide your foster beagle with indoor living conditions, some basic obedience training, and, of course, love. We ask that you provide the same care and love to your foster beagle as you would your own dog.
Where does the rescue get beagles from?
Our beagles often come from shelters. They were either found as strays or were surrendered to the shelter by their owners. In NC, this often means they were used as hunting dogs and surrendered when they were no longer needed in that capacity. The rescue sometimes takes in strays that people have found and have been unable to locate their owner or when someone is no longer able to care for their own beagle, for a variety of reasons. The rescue also always takes back any beagle that has ever been adopted from TBR if their adopter is no longer able to care for them.
How much does it cost to foster a dog?
Lack of funds should not prevent you from fostering. TBR covers all medical costs and provides foster families with supplies for your foster dog. You are always welcome to supply your own items for dogs that you care for.
What will I need to do as a foster parent?
Foster families are responsible for daily care of the foster dog, including:
- Feeding
- Exercising
- House Training
- Socializing to inside life with your family
- Reinforcing basic obedience commands
- Observing and evaluating general behavior and temperament
- Providing love and security to a beagle at an often-difficult time in his or her life.
TBR foster homes play a significant role in facilitating the dog’s adoption to a new home. As a foster parent, you will make recommendations to help select the best adoptive family for your foster beagle (you know them best). Potential adoptive families may come to your home to meet the beagle, or you can arrange to meet potential adopters at a neutral, central location. Attending monthly adopt-a-thons is a great way for your foster to get exposure and social skills.
How long does the dog stay in foster care?
The amount of time a beagle is in our care depends on their background/medical condition. Many of our healthy beagles are in their foster homes for a few weeks. Some with medical issues, such as heartworms, are in their foster homes for a longer period of time. The information a foster families provide for their beagles’ website bio can help to expedite the process since potential adopters check the website regularly for new information on available dogs.
What if I have other pets?
Most of our foster homes have dogs or cats of their own. Beagles are pack animals, and most enjoy the company of other dogs. We will help guide you with proper dog introductions. Should problems arise, we can help with guidance and training or if necessary, the foster beagle will be placed with another foster family. Sometimes a family interested in in your foster y need to know if your beagle is good with cats. If you don’t have a cat, we have several other foster families that are happy to let you cat test your foster. Also, keep in mind the 3-3-3 rule, fosters need a few days to decompress and may need space from other pets for a bit.
What happens if I have questions or problems with the foster dog?
Being a foster family is extremely rewarding, and we have a dedicated team to help you along the way. Your foster coordinators are available to answer behavior or medical questions that come up. TBR also has an amazing team of foster families who are willing to serve as ‘foster buddies’ and offer tips and advice.
What if I want to adopt the dog I am fostering?
As an approved foster, you are allowed to adopt your foster beagle. We ask that our foster families are open in the communication with our application coordinators regarding keeping a foster dog, as we need to be fair to approved adopters and want to ensure our adopters have a positive adoption process. It’s difficult to let a foster beagle go. We ask that you keep in mind that there is always another foster dog waiting for your love and care. The rescue receives numerous intake requests daily and having available foster homes is the only way TBR can continue to rescue beagles in need. If you do decide to adopt your foster beagle, we ask that you make this decision before you engage with potential adopters about your foster beagle. Once you’ve spoken with an interested adopter and they have indicated they wish to adopt your foster dog, we have to insist that you follow through with your foster dog being adopted.
Do I have to be home with the beagle all day?
No, many of our foster family members are currently employed full or part-time and still provide a quality environment for the dog. We do ask that all foster dogs are correctly separated and crated from other family pets while you are not directly supervising them. A crate will be provided by TBR.
Do I need a fenced yard?
A fenced yard is not required. Even for our foster families who have a fenced yard, we encourage leash walking your foster dog. This helps with leash training, provides them with exercise and keeps them from getting board. Remember, ALWAYS have a harness and collar with tags on your foster when taking outside, even just a quick trip to the mailbox or potty break.
I have a fenced yard, what precautions do I need to take when I bring a new foster dog home?
Please always be aware of any potential area in your fence or gate where a beagle could make an escape. Make sure all gates are securely latched and that anyone visiting your home knows to securely shut the gate. We encourage you to walk your new foster beagle around on a leash until they become accustomed to their new environment. Some of our beagles come from situations where they were not treated kindly by humans or had little interaction with humans. They will look for any way to escape and hide under decks, storage sheds – anything place they can find that will make them feel secure.
Will my foster dog need to go to the vet?
Yes, most of our foster dogs will need at least one vet visit. At that time, they will have an exam, have surgery to be spayed or neutered, receive vaccinations, receive their microchip and any other care they may need at that time. Please remember that most of our beagles have not received the best care in their past lives and may require more than one visit to the vet.
What if my foster beagle has a medical emergency?
If your foster beagle experiences a life-threatening emergency, you should immediately take them to the nearest vet practice or emergency vet. We do ask that you contact your medical foster coordinator as soon as possible. If you are unsure if your foster beagle is experiencing a true emergency, changes are they are not. You should contact your medical foster coordinator or foster coordinator in order to assess their condition.
Is there any risk that my pets could get sick from a foster beagle?
As long as your dogs or cats are kept up to date on vaccines there is no risk to them when you bring in a new foster beagle. We do remind foster families to clean up in their yard after the foster beagle and intestinal worms are common for dogs who have not received proper medical care
What if I need to go out of town?
TBR will provide a vacation foster for your beagle or boarding if necessary, during the time you are away. We know last minute situations do arise but the more notice the better, especially around holidays and during the summer months.
Can my pet-sitter watch my beagle while I’m out of town?
We do allow this on a case-by-case basis. Please contact your foster coordinator in advance if you would like to leave your foster beagle with your pet sitter.
Can I take my beagle out of town with me?
We do allow this on a case-by-case basis. Please contact your foster coordinator if you would like to take your foster beagle out of town.
Do I have to use a crate for my foster beagle?
We encourage crate training for the foster beagles. This is for their safety as well as to protect your home. Many of our beagles have never lived in a home before and don’t know the ‘house appropriate’ rules that your own dog knows.
How do I know when my foster beagle has adoption interest?
When an approved adopter expresses interest in your beagle, one of the foster coordinators will email you with their application packet for your review and ask you to reach out to the adopter. You can reach out with basic information about your foster dog and answer any questions they may have. You can then arrange a meet and greet with your beagle and their potential new family. You can have them come to your home if you wish, or you can arrange a neutral location to meet. Many of our adopters are from out of the triangle area and they are told during their application process that they are expected to travel to meet beagles they are interested in adopting. Some of our foster families prefer to take their beagle to the adopters’ home for a meet and greet and you are welcome to do so. Please regularly check your email so you don’t miss an email about an approved adopter. And please reach out to potential adopters in a timely manner and move the process along with initial conversations and meet and greets. The longer a beagle stays in the rescue, the fewer beagles we can save and the more money it costs the rescue to keep them on monthly preventative. Also, even if your foster isn’t medically clear, you can reach out to interested adopters and they can choose to adopt once the beagle is medically cleared. You do not need to wait for them to be cleared before starting the process of meet and greets. We often have adopters who are willing to wait for a beagle to be cleared medically if they are the right fit for their family.
We had a meet-and-greet and my beagle has found their new family, what do I do now?
This is always an exciting time! With your first foster beagle and adoption, once you’ve set up a meet and greet let your adoption coordinator know and they will walk you through the process. TBR has online payment for adoption fees and contract. The most important thing to remember is to never let a foster beagle go home with an adopter prior to them paying the adoption fee. The contract can be done after and does not have to be done at the time the adoption fee is paid. You can let the adopters know that in the contract they will fill out the necessary information for the microchip and once it is submitted, TBR will then update it with their information. It takes about a week for this to happen. Once that process is complete, our medical coordinator will then send any vet records to the adopter. If the family requests the records before then, you can reach out to the medical coordinator for them.
I’ve been sent a potential adotper who I don’t feel is a good fit for my beagle, what now?
As their ‘for now family’ AKA foster family, you know your beagle better than anyone. If a family is truly not a good fit, let your adoption coordinator know. We do ask that you keep an open mind when reviewing a potential adopter’s information. Sometimes someone may not sound like a good fit ‘on paper’ but may turn out to be the perfect forever family for your beagle. Once you receive an interested family, keep in mind that they have been through the approval process and are approved adopters. Ideally, we would love for all our fosters to go to a home with a huge fenced in yard, but the lack of a fence should not disqualify them as a potential good home unless your foster is terrified of a leash and cannot be walked on one.
A friend of mine met my foster beagle and wants to adopt him/her. What do I do now?
Introducing your foster beagle with friends and family is a great way to socialize them. Occasionally someone who hasn’t applied to adopt will express interest in adoption one of the beagles. If this happens, please direct them to the TBR website to review the adoption process and fill out an application. It’s best to remind them that the beagle may have interest from another adopter before they are approved.
