GABR needs the help of many volunteers in order to rescue Bassets, care for them, and place them in loving homes. One of the most rewarding and satisfying ways is to become a foster family. It's not always easy, but it is critical to a successful adoption.

The purpose of a foster home is to provide a home environment while evaluating the dog's behavior around other dogs, children, and to observe the dog's personality, attitude and temperament. Most dogs need help with something, whether it's house-training, separation anxiety, shyness, jumping on people or just plain house manners. Our fosters help them to become better pets and more adoptable. They are not expected to handle the more serious problems the dogs sometimes have. We have professional trainers who will help the dog through that stage.

All this information is shared with the adoption coordinator, Fran Gray, and together the right basset is matched with the right adoptive family. The rescue covers the cost of the spay/neuter and all vaccinations. Foster homes provide the dog's food, water, safe shelter and most of all understanding, patience and lots of love they so desperately need.

Our dogs come from a variety of environments. Some come from private homes, shelters, outside living conditions and abusive situations. We don't always have a complete history on them, and because they can't tell us what's hurting, they sometimes show us. We call it "unpacking their baggage." Every dog goes through an adjustment period. Some may be very anxious and pace from door to door. This anxiety may cause them to drink and urinate more often. They may bark at new sounds and of course, have accidents. It may take up to two weeks or longer for their full personality to emerge. We've had dogs start out very shy and later want to take over the whole "pack!"

Families who are interested in fostering are asked to fill out an application form. After the application has been approved by one of our three area foster home coordinators, a contract is signed with GABR. Fosters are asked to take their foster dog to an approved veterinary clinic for all medical services. If there is not an approved clinic within 20-30 miles, then efforts are made to work with the foster's personal vet or one in the area. All foster homes are provided with a "kit" which includes red collars, leashes and I.D. tags for newly adopted dogs.

A lot of people are hesitant to try fostering because it is easy to grow attached to a rescue and it can be hard to see them leave. So what is the worst thing that can happen? You would have another wonderful addition to your family and you would have given your foster the gift of lifetime love and permanance. There are many of us who have "failed" fostering by keeping them in our home. That's not such a bad thing. For those who are able to let them go on to their forever home ... there's nothing more satisfying than seeing them again at the Bash and Waddle, healthy, happy and loved. It's a great feeling to know that you played such an important role in that dog's life ... not to mention what joy you brought in to their owner's life!

Please think about opening up your home to the "homeless." We can promise you the experience may not be easy, but always rewarding.

Thank you,

Emmy Little
Foster Home Coordinator

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