Thank You for your interest in fostering... Your helping save lives. ​

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Fostering is a vital bridge between rescue and a forever home. When you open your heart and home, you not only help that dog heal, but you also help our team learn how best to match them with the right adoptive family.

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Why Foster?

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• You give dogs a safe, loving environment to decompress, heal, and thrive.

• You help us assess each dog’s personality in a home setting, which is invaluable for placing them forever.

• You make room at the rescue for more dogs in need.

• You experience the joy of seeing growth and progress first-hand.

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Foster Program Overview

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Here is how fostering with Southpaw works:

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1. Submit an application.
   Complete our foster questionnaire below so we can get to know your experience, preferences, and home setup.

2. Phone interview.
   We’ll talk about the foster role, mutual expectations, and figure out which dog(s) might be a good fit for your home.

3. Home check.
   A team member will visit — all household members and pets should be present. We’ll check safety measures and living conditions.

4. Welcome your foster dog.
   Once approved, we’ll arrange a handoff. You will receive care instructions, support, and contact info for emergencies.

5. Ongoing support & check-ins.
   We’ll be in touch regularly. You’re not alone — our team is here for medical, behavioral, or logistical questions.

6. Adoption placement.
   As potential adopters come along, you'll help answer questions about the dog, transitions, or returning the dog to rescue if needed (we coordinate this).

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What We Expect from Fosters

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Fostering is a commitment — not just for a day or two, but for the time the dog needs until adoption (unless a major emergency arises). Here are the key expectations:

• Consistency & responsibility.
  You agree to care for the dog through to adoption, barring extreme situations (for example, the dog injures someone, becomes severely ill, or other urgent safety concerns).

• Open communication.
  If issues arise (behavioral, medical, etc.), you let us know immediately so we can help.

• Medical & care coordination.
  We provide vet care or reimburse pre-approved expenses. You assist by bringing the dog to local appointments as needed.

• Transport to events.
  You may need to help transport dogs to adoption events. It would also be helpful if you could stay to answer any questions. 

• Transitioning.
  When a dog is adopted, you help with a smooth handoff (packing items, sharing behavior notes, etc.).

• Commitment period.
  You can’t accept a foster and then back out the same day (unless there’s an urgent, justifiable reason). Doing so puts stress on both the dog and the rescue.

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What Makes a Great Foster Home

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• A secure, safe environment 

• Patience, flexibility, and a willingness to work through challenges

• A desire to understand dog behavior, training, and socialization

• Time and availability to provide attention, monitoring, and consistency

• A heart for rescue and an attitude of teamwork

• Understanding that each dog and situation is different. Instead of telling us everything they know about dogs, they listen and work with Southpaw.

• Fosters who send us regular photos and videos for us to continuously promote the dogs.

• Fosters who communicate, but aren't super needy. Please remember we are volunteers too, with jobs, animals, fosters, families of our own.  

 

FAQs

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​Do I need prior experience?

No — we train and support you. Experience helps, but so does willingness to learn.

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Does Southpaw cover veterinary costs?

Yes — we arrange and cover approved medical care. You’ll coordinate with us.

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How long do fosters usually last?

It varies — Southpaw dogs typically take 4 - 6 months to get adopted. Some have been with us much longer depending on their needs. 

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Can I pick the type of dog I foster?

Yes — in your application and interview, we’ll ask about preferences, restrictions, and home compatibility.

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What if a situation arises I can’t handle?

Contact us immediately — we’ll support you with behavior help, medical triage, or rehoming if absolutely necessary.

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Next Steps

1. Fill out our Foster Application below.

2. One of our team will contact you within one week to schedule the interview.

3. If we’re a good fit, we’ll arrange your home check and welcome your first foster.

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Thank you — by fostering, you're giving a dog hope, comfort, and a better chance at a forever life.

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