WELCOME
The number of dogs we can save is based on the number of foster homes we have available. We do not have a kennel location, so we rely on the community to open their homes and hearts to the dogs we rescue. Do you have room in your home for a pup to wait for their forever family?
FOSTERING SAVES LIVES - WILL YOU BE A LIFESAVER?
WHY FOSTER?
As a foster parent, you will be the bridge between the dog's potentially awful life and their future happiness and security. All of our dogs come to us because of a bad situation that was out of their control. A few of the dogs were beloved family pets that had to be rehome for a wide range of reasons; but many of our dogs and puppies were abandoned or removed because of abuse or neglect. No matter how they come to us, they need a loving home and time to adjust to these changes.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO FOSTER?
The basic requirement is the ability to love and care for a dog. We have foster homes where someone is home all day and homes where everyone is at work or school 8-10 hrs a day; homes with no kids and homes with infants; homes with no other pets and homes with dogs, cats, turtles, and a variety of other animals; homes with acres of land and homes in apartment buildings; homes with stairs and homes with no stairs - I could go on; but I think you get the idea. We also need you to be able to bring the dog to our adoption events on Sundays in Carpentersville. Our adoption events are where our dogs get the most exposure, increasing their chances of getting adopted. The dogs also get socialization with new people and other dogs. Due to COVID-19 all meet and greets will happen by appointment only to adhere to social distancing guidelines at our Adoption Center in Algonquin, IL.
WHAT WILL YOU HAVE TO DO AS A FOSTER PARENT?
As a foster parent, you will help us learn about the dog's personality, quirks, and needs, so that we will be able to fit them into a perfect forever home. You will help socialize them to new people, environments, and, potentially, other animals. Some dogs and puppies may require you to start or refine the housebreaking process. You can also start teaching basic commands, such as sit, down, paw, and stay, which will make them more adoptable. You will not be alone in this; we will be here to provide tips and training for you as needed. We have a private Group on Facebook for all of our Foster Homes. This amazing group of Fosters will be with you every step of the fostering journey. The Founders of Bark of an Angel are also Foster Parents and are with you each step of the way. Its a wonderful Community of Fosters will all levels of experience.
WHAT ARE SOME BENEFITS OF FOSTERING?
One of the biggest benefits of fostering is that you are saving dogs. Many of these dogs would be living in small kennels in shelters, left to wander the streets, or put to sleep if we didn't save them. By opening your home, you give us the ability to save them. Your interactions with them make them more adoptable, whether it is housebreaking, teaching basic commands or simply showing them that humans can be loving, caring, and safe. You also get the love and companionship of a dog with very little expense to you. We provide all basic supplies: food, treats, collar, leash, time-out (if needed), food and water bowls, blankets/beds, toys, crate, pee pads (if needed), and any medical care that may be needed, only thing you need to do is fill their water dish. You can buy special treats or toys for your foster dog while they are in your care, but it is not required. If you have other dogs, your dogs get a playmate and ongoing socialization. You will also become part of the Bark of an Angel family! You also do not have to commit to a period of time. We do ask you foster till your Dog/Puppy finds their Forever Home. If you need to take a break in between fosters, that's ok. Sometimes you just need to regroup and take a moment! Sometimes you need to jump right back in. We work with you! We can only help as many dogs as we have Fosters for. So honestly, Foster Homes are what makes Bark of an Angel Dog Rescue!
BUT IT WILL BE HARD TO LET THEM GO TO A NEW HOME...
This is a common worry many people have when thinking about fostering. It can be hard to have them in your home and love them and then let them go, but you will have helped to ensure that they didn't die in a shelter; you will have helped them get ready for the new adventure in their life; you will have helped complete their new family. Will you cry? Maybe, but you will have done so much good in that dog's life; and, if you are willing to go through it all over again, there will (sadly) always be another dog or puppy that needs your help getting to their happily ever after. We also give all of our Foster Homes the FIRST option in adopting their Foster. We know there are just some littles that come in to our lives we just can not let go! So you will be given the first choice to Adopt your Foster prior to us looking at potential families.
HOW DO YOU GET STARTED?
The first step is to fill out the foster application here: https://form.jotform.com/90304219740147
Once the application is processed, one of our volunteers will contact you for a short interview to get more information and then fit you with a dog or puppy. If you would like to speak to us in person, you can use the "Contact Us" tab or visit us at 329 Jefferson St. Suite 2, Algonquin, IL 60102 Saturdays from 10 am till 3pm!
