FOSTER HOMES
Foster Homes are temporary homes for rescued dogs until a permanent home is found. Fostering is a vital part of MPR and makes an incomparable difference in the life of homeless dogs. Our foster homes are the backbone of the organization, and a large percentage of dogs we can save relies on our foster homes availability.
When you are a foster "parent", MPR will pay all necessary vet care and food if desired - We just ask that you be willing to invest your time, love, and a space in your home. Dogs will come fully vetted, or we will ask you to work with specific veterinary clinics (several around town for your convenience) which offer MPR a rescue discount and hold our billing accounts. MPR pays the bill directly to the Vet Clinic. Any outstanding expenses must first be approved by MPR Treasurer. All receipts must be provided in order to be reimbursed.
Foster parents also play an important role in the placement/adoption process, and may be asked to talk to and meet with or talk to prospective families.
Fostering is also a great way to experience a Pit Bull in your home before committing to one of them for the rest of its life. Our foster homes always have first say on the dog they foster. If you become too attached to your foster to let him or her go, you are welcome to keep the dog (exceptions may be made with same-sex placements).
Because of the diverse background of the Pit Bulls we rescue, some are ready for adoption as they come to us and some may need a significant amount of time, training and patience invested in them to prepare them for adoption. Foster homes give those dogs a chance to learn how to be a good family companion before going to their final home.
Fostering Requirements:
1. MPR foster homes must be located in the Kansas City area, or within driving distance. MPR proceeds with a homecheck before approving a foster home.
2. If you do not own your home, you need to provide your landlord's phone number for verification that you can have a foster dog in your home. We also need to verify BSL in your area.
3. You need to have a good understanding of the breed, or be willing to learn. If you have other pets, you need to follow the safety guidelines suggested by PBRC when having Pit Bulls around other animals. We want to minimize the risk of fights.
4. We occasionally look for short-term foster situations but we usually need long-term foster homes. Dogs can be stressed from being bounced from foster home to foster home. It also makes our jobs harder if we have to keep moving a dog from one "temporary" home to another.
5. We need understanding and patient foster Moms and Dads to commit to keeping a dog until it is place in a permanent home. Placement times for a Pit Bull can vary from 6 months or more, or as short as a week. The dogs in foster care are kept "as long" as needed to find the most suitable home. When it comes to a breed as challenging to place as a Pit Bull dog, this often means several months in foster care. If you cant commit to keeping the dog as long as it takes, fostering a Pit bull is probably not a good idea. We ask our foster homes for at least 4 months commitment.
6. Our Foster Homes should set a good example and meet our adoption requirements. This means that all pets in the foster home should be altered. Dogs should be kept inside the house, unless in a safe and secure kennels "approved" by MPR, and only in good weather. Foster homes should respect city limit regarding the number of animals in home.
7. Foster Homes must first fill out the Foster Application.
8. Foster homes must fill out MPR Foster Contract
What MPR will provide to a foster home:
1. All necessary food, flea and heartworm prevention for the foster dog if desired.
2. All authorized veterinary care for the foster dog.
3. Pre-evaluation, pictures, and promotion of the foster dog in several web sites and adoption events. We will also screen applications and do homechecks.
4. Support and aid for you for any questions you have along the way, including training questions.
5. If we can, we will loan crates, leash, dog dishes, etc, for the foster dog.
6. The knowledge that you are giving a dog extra time to live, and another chance to find a loving, safe home!
MPR will get:
MPR will collect the adoption fee when the dog is placed so it can be applied on the rescue of another dog.
The Challenges of Pit Bull rescue
The breed is challenging to place for many reasons. A lot of good dog owners are victim of the bad press targeting this breed, and hard to convince to open their heart to a Pit Bull dog. The breed however, attracts all kind of unsavory individuals who should not even own a gold fish. Placing a Pit Bull in the right home requires extensive screening and education. In addition, MPR has some adoption requirements such as no-same-sex placements, no multiple dog homes, no outdoor living, etc. Many of the homes that apply for a Pit Bull are declined due to their lack of safe and responsible environment for such tenacious, powerful and affectionate breed. Finally, Pit Bulls face "BSL" in many municipalities in the region. City Halls or Animal Control Offices must often be contacted before a placement can be made. When you take all this in consideration, you understand why finding a good loving home for a Pit Bull is not a piece of cake. The reward however, is more than you could ever imagine..
The reward of Pit Bull rescue
Look into the eyes of your foster dog and you will find the best reward in the world.... Not to mention all the grateful kisses and snuggles you will get during your fosterering adventure...
From the Foster home to the new permanent home:
Our foster homes are included in the adoption process and make the placement decisions with us. While the foster dog is in your care, MPR volunteers will work with you to screen prospective adopters, make home visits, and attempt to find the perfect match for your protege. We will not place your foster dog in a home that makes you uncomfortable. We can meet potential families together and the placement is thoroughly discussed with everyone involved.
The rescue dogs however, are selected and bailed out by MPR and remain the organization's responsibility. Our foster homes cannot make rescue and/or placement decisions without the approval of MPR's officers.
Letting Go:
It is not easy to let go our foster dogs. All MPR volunteers understand this very well. Foster parents are often concerned about their attachments to the animals - When they realize what a wonderful gift they were able to give to an animal in need, it makes it all worthwhile! To have opened your heart and your home, and given a needy dog a second chance is truly an amazing experience. By turning them over to their permanent home, you will be able to foster another Pit Bull in need if you so choose. If we can only save one more life, it is worth the world and the sadness to say goodbye.
If you can help, please fill out the Foster Application
If you have questions about the form please contact us by clicking on our contact button below:
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