Questions regarding short-time fostering

LuckyClover · #1 09-15-2009, 09:10 PM

Good evening,

We are new to Boxerworld (already posted introduction), but not new to boxers. My husband is in the Air Force, and we just got orders that will be sending us to Amman Jordan for 2-3 years, starting March 2010. My question is, are there any organization out there that will foster a dog for military families while they are overseas? My husband (and I kinda agree with him) would rather not take Clover over there, she doesn't do well on domestic flights and I can only imagine the trauma of an international flight, also in the Middle East the natives don't really understand the whole domestication of pets (and because of my husbands job we will be entertaining a lot), and in Amman there are not very many veterinarian facilities...etc. I know this may seems as excuse after excuse about not taking her, I just feel it's in her best interest if she is stateside with a loving person/family where I know she is safe and well loved, I of course will miss her greatly and just am a ball of tears thinking about this. But I have to do what will be best for her, and when we return stateside after our tour we can all be together again.
Any thoughts?
Thanks - Sara

SherylM · #2 09-16-2009, 09:26 AM

I'm sorry you have to leave Clover behind. I understand completely why you would not want to take her. I sure hope you can find a foster home that will take your baby for you. Perhaps if you contact one of your local rescues they can help you find the perfect family to help you out.

EAO76 · #3 09-16-2009, 12:45 PM

2-3 years isn’t exactly short term. Unless you have a close family member or a very good friend that is willing to keep her then I think your best bet is to start looking now for a new permanent home for her. You might want to work with a REPUTABLE boxer rescue & see if they will advertise her on their website & petfinder while she remains in your home.

I think there are some organizations that offer to foster dogs for military but many of them are kennels or animal sanctuaries not private homes. Living in a kennel situation is stressful for a dog so I wouldn’t recommend that for years at a time.

If you do find someone that is willing to foster I would check them out thoroughly. Ask for references; obtain verification of identity and place of employment. There are a lot of animal hoarders & other bad situations that your dog could end up in. Also if she isn’t spayed then get that done before you leave her with anyone. The last thing you want is for her to be used as a breeding dog.

I know you love your Clover & want her to be waiting for you when you return but depending on how old she is 2 to 3ys could be an entire lifetime so it may be in her best interest to be re-homed with a home owner that is more settled & less likely to relocate.

LuckyClover · #4 09-16-2009, 04:06 PM

Thank you both for you replies. Clover is 5 years old and we've had her since she was just 8 weeks so the thoughts of her spending the rest of her life with someone else breaks my heart. Obviously I want what is in her best interest however I think she would be just fine coming back to us upon our return, at which time we'll be stateside for another 4-8 years.

I've contacted the Boxer Rescue in San Fran (haven't heard back yet - as I just called today) and have also put feelers out to all our friends and family. My mom would however she just adopted two little dogs.

I do know we would cover all her expenses while we were overseas. I'll just keep my fingers crossed that we find an ideal situation. I'm sure there has to be other (military) people in this same predicament.

baxtercruz · #5 09-17-2009, 04:08 PM

I hope you're able to find a solution that works for all of you. I would find it really hard to foster a dog for that long, and then give her back; and probably not easy on the dog either.

I live in Santa Cruz, pretty close to you, and a friend of mine has been contemplating getting another boxer (her very old boxer girl passed away about 2 years ago), but she and her husband weren't sure if they were ready for a puppy again, etc... but she LOVES my boy Baxter, and talks about getting a rescue all the time. I don't know how she would feel about fostering for 2 years vs. adopting permanently. Keep us posted with your situation! Good luck to you!

-Kim

Claudia807 · #6 09-18-2009, 11:23 AM

Our rescue gets calls like this from time to time, and we just can't do it. We feel bad about it, but we have a waiting list of dogs needing to come into rescue. We can't tie up a foster home with a dog that can't be placed in a new home. In order to continue operating, we need to be able to place dogs and get that revenue in order to help the next dog. Even if we charged the owner for food/boarding, I'd have to think the cost would be almost prohibitive. I really do think a friend or family member would be the best option in these cases.

LuckyClover · #7 09-18-2009, 11:30 AM

Thank you everyone, we have had a few replies from other military families offering their services to help us. Seems like we really are a small military and people do help other people out and are understanding of our situation.

LILYLARUE · #8 09-18-2009, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuckyClover

Thank you everyone, we have had a few replies from other military families offering their services to help us. Seems like we really are a small military and people do help other people out and are understanding of our situation.

Who else would know how to help best but those who have been in the same boat? I am so happy that you have the support you need from your fellow warriors. It must be such a great community of helping hands here and abroad!

GOD BLESS OUR SOLDIERS!