The first time entrusting a dog to someone else for care, many owners may feel a bit uneasy. What does it eat, does it get used to it, does it get scared at night, and what if it suddenly gets sick. In fact, the most important thing in the first foster care is not how much to bring, but to let the person taking care of the dog understand its daily habits as much as possible. The following preparation plan is suitable for first-time foster parents to refer to.
If the dog already has a fixed dog food and dietary habits, it is best not to suddenly change them during the foster period. It is recommended to prepare the dog food it usually eats, common snacks, medications it is currently taking, and food needed for special diets. At the same time, inform the foster care provider of information such as how many meals to eat per day, how much to eat per meal, when to eat, if there are any foods that cannot be eaten, and whether it is necessary to soak them in water. These may seem like small things, but for dogs, maintaining familiar eating habits is often more important than eating too much.
Dogs may experience temporary discomfort in unfamiliar environments. If conditions permit, you can bring one or two items that it frequently uses, such as familiar toys, small blankets, dog beds, rice bowls it usually uses, or old clothes worn by its owner. You don't need to bring everything, just one or two familiar items are enough. The purpose is not to let the dog move, but to allow it to find a familiar feeling in unfamiliar environments.
Clarifying a dog's lifestyle habits may be more important than preparing items. Don't just tell the foster care provider that 'my dog is easy to raise', because every dog's ease of raising is different. It is best to explain diet, sleep, excretion, activity, and other habits in advance. In terms of diet, how many meals do you eat per day, how many per meal, what do you like, and what do you don't eat. In terms of sleep, where do you usually sleep, are you afraid of the dark, and are you prone to barking at night. In terms of excretion, when and where do you usually defecate, and do you have any special habits. In terms of activities, how many times a day do you need to take a walk and how long does it take each time. In terms of other habits, do you enjoy biting things, are you prone to running away, and do you enjoy playing with other dogs. The more specific this information is, the easier it is to take care of.
Don't hide a dog's personality. Some things may not seem serious to the owner, but they are very important to the person taking care of them for the first time. For example, when encountering unfamiliar dogs, one may feel nervous, dislike being approached while eating, dislike being touched by others, enjoy chasing cats, be prone to anxiety when alone, be wary of strangers, and take care of food or toys. The more authentic this information is, the easier it is for caregivers to prepare in advance. Not to label the dog, but to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.
Health information must be complete. If a dog has special health conditions, it must be explained in advance, such as chronic diseases, medication, gastrointestinal allergies, skin problems, recent abnormalities, food allergies, or special dietary requirements. If you are taking medication, it is best to write down the name, dosage, duration of use, and precautions of the medication together, instead of just saying 'give it a little bit of this medicine every day'. The more specific the information, the lower the likelihood of errors.
It is recommended to prepare several recent real photos of the dog in advance, including front facing photos, full body photos, and daily life photos. If there are obvious features on the dog's body, such as special fur color, patterns, birthmarks, they can also be recorded together. This not only facilitates the foster care provider to quickly get to know the dog, but also facilitates both parties to confirm the pet's status during handover.
If there is contact with other pets in the foster environment, the owner especially needs to confirm the boarding requirements in advance. For example, whether vaccination is required, deworming is required, puppies are accepted, elderly dogs are accepted, unsterilized pets are accepted, and pets with special care needs are accepted. Don't wait until the day you drop off your dog to find out that you can't check in. Confirming clearly before making an appointment can save a lot of trouble.
If the owner is unable to answer the phone in a timely manner during the foster care period, it is best to leave the owner's contact information, emergency contact person, frequently visited pet hospital, whether emergency medical treatment is authorized, and the scope of emergency medical expense authorization in advance. Especially for puppies, elderly dogs, or dogs with underlying diseases, it is recommended to make these arrangements in advance.
Before giving away a dog, don't just ask how much it costs per day. Price is certainly important, but for the first foster care, it is even more important to clarify some details. For example, where does the dog live, whether it is in a separate room, a home environment, or a cage; How many times a day do you have time to walk your dog, go for a walk, or play; How to feed and whether to follow the feeding method provided by the owner; Who takes care of them at night, and is there anyone there at night; What should I do if I get sick, who should contact the owner, and can I be taken to the hospital; Will there be any feedback, such as photos, videos, or care records. The earlier these issues are confirmed, the smoother the foster care process will be.
Check one last time before departure. On the day of delivering the dog, you can confirm whether you have brought all the dog food, snacks, medicine, familiar toys, blankets, or dog beds; Have basic information, dietary habits, excretion habits, personality traits, health status, allergies or taboos been clearly explained; Vaccine information, deworming information, recent photos, owner contact information, emergency contact person, and whether frequently visited pet hospitals are ready; Have the accommodation environment, feeding methods, dog walking arrangements, abnormal handling methods, and daily feedback methods been confirmed. For the first foster care, there is no need to move the entire dog's home over. What is truly important is to let the person taking care of it know who it is, how it lives, what it likes, what it fears, and what needs special attention. The more complete the information, the more reassuring both parties are.
It's normal for the owner to feel nervous when entrusting their dog to someone else for the first time. But a good foster care is not just about finding someone who has time to take care of the dog, but finding someone who is willing to understand the dog, conscientiously fulfill care requirements, and can communicate in a timely manner. Prepare information and supplies in advance, and confirm every detail of the foster care process in advance, so that the owner can worry less and the dog can feel less unfamiliar and uneasy. May every foster care bring peace of mind to the owner and the dog.
Important Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian for your pet's health.
