Working with us - Fostering and care of dogs

The most important things about fostering? It needs to be done properly. We all need to sing the same song so some training is needed.
If a dog is moved from a foster home in Scotland to one in Essex, to be close to its potential new home, it needs to be fed on the same food, be handled in the same way and receive the same commands. When a dog is rehomed a new home can use the same commands. This gives a dog familiar anchors if it moves around while it is in rescue and facilitates a smooth transition to a new home.

Before anyone can apply to become a foster carer they will need to have been a committed volunteer with the charity for at least a year.
Before being accepted as a foster carer they will need to have learned all our commands and be familiar with all the ways we want dogs of differing backgrounds and temperaments to be handled and accommodated. They will need to show us they know and understand our rules and methods and be assessed by the charity with respect to their ability to handle, control and train dogs.

The charity will provide some equipment to a foster home to be used exclusively for dogs they foster. What is needed will vary but it will be an investment of funds and resources so we need to be sure that the investment is going to be for the long run!

Border Collie Rescue has no room for amateur foster carers. To help us and our dogs you will need to accept and adapt to our methods.

WHY USE FOSTER HOMES ?

Border Collie Rescue no longer uses kennels as primary housing for the dogs in our care. Foster homes and foster carers have now replaced kennels as the preferable way of accommodating the majority of dogs, although we may, on occasions, use kennels in emergencies.

The reasoning behind this is not financial - although we save on kennel running costs or boarding fees, our transport and communication costs are higher with this system - but it is better for the dogs.
Border Collies do not generally fare well in kennels - the restrictions on exercise, mental stimulation & personal attention are detrimental to the well being of the dog - the excitement and noise of other dogs kept in close proximity induces hyperactivity in many Border Collies.

As many of the dogs referred to us are suffering from, or on the verge of, behavioural problems, a kennel system often makes matters worse. It is also very difficult to really get to know a dog if it is in kennels. The attention of the person handling the dog is spread between many others. Proper assessment under these conditions is almost impossible and correct assessment is important.

We need a real understanding of the character and needs of a dog in our care before we can clear it for re-homing. Without this understanding, we will not have sufficient information to enable us to make responsible decisions when selecting a new home.
Too many dogs are placed in unsuitable homes by some rescue groups and then need to be re-homed again. It's something we avoid.

As said above, there is more to fostering than keeping a dog and feeding and exercising it daily. In the long run, that would keep a dog alive but does not contribute to our knowledge of the dog and will not help the charity find the right home for it's needs.

Foster carers are required to keep a written daily notation of the dogs behaviour, noting any changes and peculiarities that need attention and monitoring diet and habits.
The information gathered on the dog is passed onto the co-ordinator who is responsible for the dogs re-homing to enable them to decide when the dog is ready to be re-homed and to help them select a suitable home for the dog.

It is also useful if a foster carer is able to assist in the rehabilitation and retraining of a dog, implementing instructions from the co-ordinator in charge and noting results. Foster carers can also get involved in the assessment process if they are capable and willing.

On some occasions we may ask a foster carer to assist in the home visit and re-homing process, either by accompanying a home visitor or (if also a registered BCR home visitor), in the company of someone else.
This may carry through to helping rehome the dog - under instructions of the co-ordinator - and monitoring the dogs progress in the new home.

Homing a dog does not necessarily mean that a foster carer has to lose contact with it. In BCR we recognise that people invest time and effort, for the sake of the dog, and sometimes the best reward is to know the dog is happy and content in its new home. On most occasions data protection prevents divulgence of the location of the new home impossible but we can always pass on updates if the new owner allows.
Some foster carers do not wish to get that involved or put in the extra time or go through the training process to qualify for the extra activities.
It's an individual choice but it is always subject to the new home giving consent

Whatever their position or involvement, all volunteers are subject to data protection law and must not disclose any information they are privy to.

Fostering a dog for BCR need not involve the foster carer in any expense. Vet bills are covered by BCR with an account at a nearby vet who will invoice us directly.
Food is supplied by BCR or can be claimed back. Travel costs are also reclaimable. There is a time limit on reclaiming legitimate out of pocket expenses and claims must be in within 30 days of the date on the receipts on a claims form available from BCR.
Any necessary equipment will be supplied by BCR and would remain the property of the charity. The dogs also remain the property of the charity and HAVE to be surrendered when required. We have to remember that we do this for the sake of the dogs.