First you need to find a shelter which allows you to foster and apply. Make sure the shelter is somewhere close by as if there is an emergency you don’t want to be travelling far. Once you are approved you need to get everything ready.
Note: Just quickly before I go on – the puppies usually come in groups of 2 or 3, as they don’t want them to get lonely, so be prepared and buy more than you need.
You need to find a safe and secure spot in your house. Big enough that your puppies have plenty of room to run around. When looking for a space, look for one that can be easily puppy proofed as they like to eat everything.
When fostering puppies, puppy proofing is a must! They will get into everything and anything. Chewing cords, carpets, and furniture legs. Anything they can get their mouth around. So, buy a baby gate if you need or some animal fencing to keep them out of anything you don’t want ruined. Also try to keep them in a common area where you are mostly present, as they will want to be around you all the time.
Note: Don’t keep them on carpet as they go to the toilet everywhere. (Mostly missing the puppy pads).
You will need a way to carry the puppies once you get them from the shelter. I would recommend purchasing a pet carrier crate or you can use a basket if they are small enough. Puppies are squirmy and having them in the carrier crate will keep both you and the puppies safe during the car trip to their temporary home.
The shelter may provide food but sometimes they don’t have enough to go round. Just in case buy the appropriate food for the age of your puppies. While you’re there at the shops, grab a couple of food and water bowls. Specifically, for dogs as you don’t want to use your own bowls for them.
Depending on the size of your puppies, you need to buy the appropriately sized toys. Small puppies, small toys that are also safe and can’t be swallowed. Big puppies, big toys that are strong and durable.
My sister and I fostered 2 sets of 2 puppies. Our first set were 10-week-old Irish Wolfhound puppies, and they were massive. We got them these toys here. Nice and big and very durable for their energetic nature.
Our second set were 5-week-old (we think) Staffy cross Labrador puppies. They were so small and just adorable. We got them these toys here. Quite small for their little, tiny mouths.
The shelter may also provide you with a bed, but it’s not likely. So, go out and grab one that is nice and comfy but also easy to clean. You can add towels into it to make it warmer and also easier to clean. Make sure that the bed is big enough for all the puppies to cuddle into as they want to be around one another, and it makes them feel safe. Place the bed into an area that can be covered with a blanket as it gives them a dark place where they again feel safe and secure.
Here is the set up that my sister and I had for our foster puppies. There bed was in the big crate, that we covered with the blanket at night.
Now puppies go to the toilet everywhere. Depending on their age, you can try to start toilet training them outside. If they are too young, which most of the time they are, it’s not the end of the world. Place some puppy pads, furthest away from their bedding and when it looks like they’re about to go to the toilet, place them on the pads. They will soon associate the pads with the place they need to go to the toilet.
My sister and I placed a tarp down under their play area as well as the puppy pads. It was so that if there was a mess on the tarp, it was easy to clean and disinfect and we wouldn’t ruin the floorboards.
Sometimes the puppies come to you a bit dirty and smelly. If the puppies have been de-sexed then you can’t give them a bath. One way that you can give them a little clean is by wiping them down with baby wipes.
If they haven’t been de-sexed then you are welcome to give them a bath to make them clean and fresh. They do have sensitive skin so I would recommend baby shampoo or you can use a dog specific shampoo.
Fostering puppies will absolutely melt your heart. They are adorable and do the funniest and cutest things but… be ready and prepared to let them go. You can’t keep all of your foster puppies and letting them go back to the shelter to get adopted is heartbreaking.
Just think, you helped them and gave them love when they needed it and now it’s time for them to find their forever home.
Disclaimer: All headings were made using Font Meme
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