Should You Foster A German Shepherd?

German shepherds are amazing dogs. They make wonderful companions that can add a lot of love and excitement to your life. But, they are also very active dogs that take a lot of time and commitment.

Shelters and rescues are full of dogs looking for forever homes. If you’ve always wanted to help German shepherds but can’t adopt for whatever reason, fostering is one way you can get involved.

When you foster a German shepherd, you free up space for another dog to be rescued. Since approximately 1/3 of shelter dogs rely on fosters to take care of them while they wait to be adopted, you can see what an important role foster homes play in saving lives.

So, if you love the idea of having a German shepherd around but your lifestyle prevents you from owning one full-time, you may want to consider fostering as an option. If you’re considering it, here are some more reasons to help you decide if fostering is right for you:

• Fostering frees up space so another dog can be saved

Shelters and rescues are packed. Resources are spread thin. When you foster a dog, it frees up space so another dog can be saved.

• Fostering allows you to enjoy the companionship of a dog without the financial obligation

Pets can be expensive and there sometimes money can be tight. Fostering usually allows you to enjoy the companionship of a dog without having to pay for vet care, preventatives, and medications. Some shelters and rescues provide food and some don’t have it in the budget.

• German shepherd rescues need you

Rescues and shelters are searching for foster homes familiar with German shepherd behavior. They need people with German shepherd experience who also understand how to deal with training, behavior, socialization, and medical issues.

• You get the chance to show a German shepherd what love is

Fostering is an important job. When you foster, you are helping a dog that will ultimately be loved by another family. It will be your job to show the dog what unconditional love is as you feed, nurture, help it heal past scars, socialize, and train it so they can learn to trust people.

• It’s challenging and fun

If you enjoy training, socializing, and playing with dogs but can’t do it full time, fostering is a perfect way to enjoy their companionship while doing something very worthwhile.

• It can be short-term or long-term

Most shelters and rescues need both short and long-term fosters. Short-term fosters agree to take care of a dog for a few days or until another foster home becomes available or space opens up at the shelter. Some shelters allow dogs to go to short-term fosters as a respite from the shelter environment.

• Medical fosters

If helping sick dogs recover is something you have experience with and enjoy, there are plenty of medical fosters that need exactly that skillset.

• You have a heart for seniors

Sadly, many senior dogs find their way into shelters and rescues through no fault of their own. They are also harder to find homes for. If you have a heart for senior dogs, there is no greater honor than offering an old dog a loving home.

• Allows you to test-drive the idea of having another dog

If you’re on the fence about getting another German shepherd because you’re just not sure, fostering is a great way to spend time ‘looking under the hood’ before adopting one. Of course, when you fall in love, you always join the ranks of “foster failures.”

• You’ll make new friends

When you foster, you make new furry friends. But, you’ll also meet like-minded people interested in helping dogs.

• Personally fulfilling

Fostering is emotionally rewarding on many levels. Not only are you helping to take care of the individual dog living with you, but you’re helping many more dogs than that. Knowing that you’re playing an important role in helping all lost and abandoned dogs is something to feel good about.

• Knowing how to help a dog decompress is life-giving

Shelters and rescues need fosters that understand that dogs need a chance to decompress so they can recover. Foster dogs need a loving space so they can get back to being a dog. This means providing a calm environment, time with you, walks, playtime, routine, and scheduled meals and potty breaks.

Is Fostering Right For You?

If you think fostering is right for you, there are a few more things to consider before you apply, such as:

• Be sure you can do it

Dogs going into foster care have had a lot of upheaval in their life and your home won’t be their last home. Before you agree to foster, consider if you’re truly ready so that the dog doesn’t end up going through more turmoil than necessary.

• Ensure you have the time and energy

Bottom line, do you have the time it will take to help a foster dog that will probably need training and will for sure need affection, grooming, exercise, and food and water.

• Space

Do you have the space? A yard? Where will the dog go to the bathroom and play? If you rent, will your landlord allow you to have a German shepherd?

• Family life

Is everyone in the household on board? If life is stressful at home, it might not be the best time to get a foster dog. Do you have other pets to consider?

• Emotional attachment

Fostering is a gift to both the dog and the future owner. German shepherds bond closely with their family and when your foster period is over, you’ll be emotionally attached but always remember the bigger picture, you’re saving lives.

Fostering a dog is a wonderful experience. It allows you to be part of something important while enjoying the companionship of special dogs. When you foster, you are joining with other dog lovers who are serious about helping at-risk German Shepherds get out of shelters and into loving homes.

You may also like: Tips for First Time German Shepherd Owners