Wanted: Forever Home for a Husky!!

FOSTERING A SIBERIAN HUSKY Thank you for your interest in becoming a foster family for ADOPT A HUSKY, INC. Foster families represent ADOPT A HUSKY, INC. in general, and a rescued Siberian Husky in particular, to the public. ADOPT A HUSKY, INC. relies heavily on a foster family's assistance and judgment from the moment a dog is placed in their home. If you decide to help, it will be a commitment that provides many rewards. There's a lot to know, and we learn more with each dog we rescue. In fact, we encourage you to share your experiences and insights with us, so that we can pass them along to future volunteers. The following information should give you a good idea of what is involved in fostering for rescue. ADOPTION...AN OVERVIEW. People interested in adopting a rescue Siberian Husky from ADOPT A HUSKY, INC. are asked to complete an application and have a home visit from a volunteer. Once the application is approved by the ADOPT A HUSKY, INC. Adoption Committee, and assuming there is a Siberian Husky in rescue that might be a good match, the applicant is referred directly to the family fostering that particular dog. Arrangements are made between the foster family and the applicant to meet the dog, usually at the foster family's home. It is important that all members of the applicant's family are available to meet and interact with the Siberian Husky. If all are in agreement that the home for the Siberian is suitable, the adoption is finalized. If the family has all the necessary equipment already in place, such as bowls, leash, and crate, the dog can go home immediately, which is generally the case. Occasionally an adoptive family will need a day or two to complete preparations. Upon adoption, the new owner signs an adoption contract, and ADOPT A HUSKY, INC. accepts an adoption donation. The ADOPT A HUSKY, INC. representative also gives the adopters copies of all vaccination and medical records. FOSTERING...THE BASICS. Should you decide to become a foster family, you'll take a rescued Siberian Husky into your home and care for him or her as you would your own pet, providing food, shelter, companionship, basic training and exercise, arranging for any required veterinary care, and supplying generous amounts of patience and love. The fostering period can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, perhaps even months. Some Siberians may not get along well with other dogs, cats, or children, and take longer to place. Your evaluation of the Siberian's character, temperament, and training level is invaluable; the more we know about a dog's habits and behavior (positive and negative), the easier it is to match him or her to the perfect owner. BEFORE FOSTERING BEGINS. A ADOPT A HUSKY, INC. representative will visit your home to help evaluate your situation and determine what type of Siberian would fit into your lifestyle most easily. We also ask that you complete one of our Foster Applications. If you have other pets, it is very important they be current on all vaccinations before you begin fostering. This includes vaccinations against rabies, parvovirus, and kennel cough (bordetella). Your dog(s) should also be on preventative heartworm medicine. If you have dogs that have not been spayed or neutered, please be sure we know this. The first priority for a Siberian Husky coming in to rescue is to see that all vaccinations are current; a heartworm test is done, and the dog is placed on preventive heartworm medicine. The next step is to arrange for the Siberian to be spayed or neutered. ADOPT A HUSKY, INC. has established favorable pricing with area veterinary clinics, and you might be asked to help with transport for these visits. If you are not able to transport a dog, other volunteers will be called upon to help. THE SIBERIAN'S BACKGROUND. A rescued Siberian Husky may have come from a shelter, been a stray, or had a very secure home. Surprisingly, the dog coming from a previous home may show the most stress, as he or she has been accustomed to a particular environment and routine, and may suffer a loss of security when thrust into a new situation. A stray dog, or one coming from a shelter, often adapts to new situations more readily.