All About Fostering
Click Here to download an Electronic Adobe Fostering Application
Click Here to download a Regular PDF Fostering Application
What is fostering all about?
The purpose of a foster home is to place a rescued bloodhound immediately into a normal family situation - NOT A KENNEL - as soon as practical. Our bloodhounds may come from a pound or from a family moving to another city; a temporary foster home is the best place for the bloodhound to adjust to its changed circumstances and, hopefully, to be adopted.
What is my responsibility?
We ask that foster parents keep using the bloodhound’s original name while they are fostering it. If you decide to adopt the bloodhound, and should you want to change its name, it will be less confusing to the bloodhound if you use both names for a time.
A foster parent is responsible for the rescued bloodhounds basic needs such as food and shelter. A fenced area large enough to allow the hound plenty of room to run and play safely is a must. Basic health requirements such as shots, spay/neuter (and, if necessary, heartworm treatment) are paid for by South Central Bloodhound Club. If the rescue needs veterinary care follow-up, the Rescue Director will discuss with you any arrangements.
Please NEVER use a choke chain on a bloodhound unless you are going for a walk. Dogs have died by hanging when the choke chain caught on a fence picket, nail, etc. The easiest way to handle this is to leave the choke chain on your leash, and when it is time to go for a walk simply slip the chain over the bloodhounds head.
The Perfect Home
Foster homes allow SCBC to better evaluate a rescue. Because some of our rescued bloodhounds come from shelters, sometimes we do not know if the bloodhound is house-broken, likes children, cats and other dogs. The rescued bloodhound may be frightened and insecure. A foster parent helps us to get to know the rescued bloodhound a little better and, consequently, the chances of placing it in the Perfect Home increase dramatically! Fostering is not always an easy task. In fact, it can be quite trying at times! The foster parent’s patience and understanding is one of the keys to our adoption program’s success.
Tips for the New Arrival
A bloodhound’s security depends upon people and places he is familiar with. Having lost both of these the bloodhound is apt to be frightened and insecure. It may appear timid or slightly aggressive or hyper-active. THE WAY YOU INTRODUCE YOUR NEW BLOODHOUND TO YOUR PRESENT DOG IS VERY IMPORTANT. A little effort on your part NOW can mean the difference between success or failure. Remember, all dogs are territorial, and your present dog considers YOU and your yard and home as ITS OWN. For this reason it is best to have the new bloodhound and your present dog meet in “neutral” territory. Arrange to meet the new bloodhound away from your house ... down the block, across the street, or a nearby park. THEN GO FOR A WALK TOGETHER, both dogs on leashes, of course. Keep walking ... this is not the time for the dogs to do their ritual sniffing. After a short time (if the walk is going well), allow them to get acquainted ... then turn around and take them TOGETHER into the yard. Now your present dog has a “house guest” instead of an intruder! It’s fun to watch dogs form a new relationship!
BE CALM AND BE FAIR. You should make an effort to be as calm and relaxed as possible. Don’t smother the new arrival. And remember, YOU HAVE TWO HANDS! One for the old dog and one for the new. Also, be careful that the children (if any) don’t neglect your first dog for the excitement of the new arrival.
