As a Dog Foster Caregiver, you will be caring for a shelter dog in need in your home. Foster Caregivers should have a deep sense of compassion and a strong desire to help both animals and people. You will be expected to provide daily care to meet the needs of your foster dog, as well as observing and checking in on your foster pet’s health and behavior, assisting with training needs, and taking photos and videos of them for future adoption promotion. It is important to us that all foster parents embrace the MSPCA’s positive reinforcement training techniques and strictly follow recommended behavior training plans for your foster dog.
For most foster situations, we will ask you to keep the foster dog until they find an adopter. You will work closely with staff to help find your foster dog a home that will be able to provide the care and support essential to their specific needs. The length of stay can vary widely depending on the reason the dog is seeking foster care, and how long it takes to find the dog a home. We ask that you have a 2 month window of time to give an animal before committing to bringing a foster dog home.
Our foster caregivers are extensions and representatives of our adoption center. As such, you will be expected to demonstrate and embrace MSPCA-Angell’s organizational values of Compassion, Integrity, Collaboration, Excellence, Service, and Positivity when carrying out day to day fostering tasks, as well as in interactions with others.
Responsibilities
- Ensure your foster dog is provided with the best possible care. Provide proper food, water, housing, exercise, and enrichment for your foster dog.
- Take photos, videos, and notes regarding your foster dog.
- Participate in orientation/training as required for role.
- Have the ability to keep information confidential.
- Be willing to help with transfer your foster dog to/from shelter.
- Communicate any needs or changes to the Foster Care Coordinator.
Physical requirements
- Able to lift, push, pull or carry objects and/or animals weighing up to 75 lbs.
Emotional and mental requirements
- Ability to maintain composure during challenging and/or emotionally charged situations.
- Ability to work with staff, fellow volunteers, and clients in an empathetic and supportive manner.
- Ability to know if your home is not a good match for your foster animal (or vice versa).
Required skills & attributes
- Ability to work well and communicate effectively with the public, staff, and fellow volunteers.
- Ability to follow instructions, and comfort asking questions if any instructions are unclear.
- Ability to remain positive and judgment free in challenging situations.
- Ability to pass a criminal history check.
Qualifications and education requirements
- Knowledge of basic canine care and behavior. Openness to learning MSPCA training techniques.
Other
- Reliable transportation is required in order to pick up foster pets and supplies. Must live within a reasonable distance from the adoption center and be able to drive the Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston in the event of an urgent medical situation.
Apply To Be a Canine Foster Caregiver
