Fostering
Foster homes are the cornerstone of our organization, and without them we couldn’t rescue. While fostering is a major responsibility, it’s also a rewarding opportunity to change a dog’s life forever.
Our foster homes take “dog-sitting” to the next level – they provide a stable home perhaps for the first time in a dog’s life. By providing a temporary home (it could be anywhere from a few weeks to months), our fosters help SEVA GRREAT determine a dog’s needs in a forever home. They also give the adoptive family helpful information about the dog to ease the transition and ensure a successful adoption.
While not all foster dogs present unusual challenges, there are a couple of key things to keep in mind before fostering for SEVA GRREAT:
- Ensure you have the time and patience to provide care and instill a loving human-dog relationship
- Understand that some foster dogs may have behaviors that are not considered “typical” of a Golden Retriever. But don’t let that scare you off – we’re here to support our fosters through any issues that may arise while in foster care
Foster home primary responsibilities:
- provide for the dogs needs such as food, shelter, exercise, and basic care
- build his/her confidence
- schedule and attend veterinary appointments for any illnesses
- improve basic obedience
- evaluate his or her habits and behavior to assist in the adoption matching process
- talk with and meet potential applicants
Foster home applicants must be over 21 years of age and live in our adoption area of southeastern Virginia. We strongly prefer fenced yards in most situations, but that is not an absolute requirement depending on the needs of the foster dog.
SEVA GRREAT provides for all the medical care associated with your foster dog (at one of our participating vet practices). Additionally, you will receive a written Foster Guide with reference materials. The foster coordinator and medical coordinator are readily available to assist you with any questions or concerns and support you throughout the foster period.
If you are ready to join our foster team, please complete the form below to apply.
Foster Home Application
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How about a Senior Golden?
Thinking about adopting a golden retriever? Well, how about considering a senior. Think about your lifestyle: Do you work all day? Perhaps you might not have the energy to keep up with a young dog. Or maybe you don’t want to go through the “puppy stage” but really want a companion to share your life and home with. Seniors are the perfect pal. They are usually laid back and easy going. They don’t ask for much. Give them a soft bed and gentle hand, and they are in heaven!! But don’t let their age fool you they have so much left to give. Adoption fees are reduced for seniors, and you’d be providing a wonderful golden retriever with a loving and caring place to live out the rest of his life.
Here are some more good reasons to consider adopting a senior today!!
- In most cases, senior goldens are well past the chewing and digging stages of life. They are usually reliably housebroken and can go longer periods of time without relief.
Senior goldens are generally calmer than young dogs. Many have been socialized with other animals, including cats. They are much less likely to scare small children or the elderly by jumping up to greet them. Senior goldens will follow your lead. They can be happy as a “couch potato”, but also instantly ready for a car ride, evening walk, or game of fetch. - A senior golden is fully grown, and most of his health history is known. There are no guesses about how big he will get, whether he will bark a lot, or what his energy level will be. A senior golden arrives with his own set of likes and dislikes packed in a bag to come with him, and each one is different. Discovering a senior’s personality makes life with them truly enjoyable….they endear themselves to everyone they meet and greet.
- By adopting a senior golden, you can make a statement about compassion and the value of life at all ages. Even if you have a senior golden as part of your life for only a few years, the love you receive will more than compensate for the sadness of eventually losing such a wonderful companion. The quality of time together can matter a GRREAT deal more than quantity!
Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog
Sydney Jeanne Seward
“People ask us how we can give up the dogs we foster and we tell them that it is like Christmas throughout the year. We give presents to people who are looking for great companions. We want people to be as happy as we are with our golden.”