Introduction To Fostering

We appreciate your consideration of volunteering for the NBGR foster home program

Foster homes are the lifeblood of any rescue organization. Without them, we’d have no choice but to turn away Brussels Griffons from our program.

Overview

NBGR is always in need of caring foster parents who will open their homes to temporarily care for homeless Brussels Griffons. It can be a very rewarding -- and fun -- experience to add a Griff to your household until a forever home is found! We especially need foster homes for our senior Griffs, for whom it sometimes takes longer to find good homes.

Because we usually don't have much time to get a rescue out of its current environment and into a foster home, we try to place a dog in a foster home near where it was turned in. NBGR is a national organization, so we need foster homes throughout the United States, especially in Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio, and Missouri, where most of the rescue dogs are surrendered.

All Brussels Griffons in our rescue program must be spayed or neutered, brought up to date on vaccinations, tested for heartworm, and have any health issues addressed before being put up for adoption. Most of our rescues must first be placed in foster homes while they receive that medical attention and in order for their foster parents to evaluate their personalities to ascertain the type of home for which each is best suited.

The Responsibilities of an NBGR Foster Parent

Each foster dog is assigned a Coordinator. You will stay in close contact with your Coordinator and keep her informed of progress, problems, medical issues, and updates on your foster dog. The Coordinator must pre-approve any medical visits and reimbursement requests.
The NBGR Coordinator will discuss with you when the dog is ready to go on our adoption website. Your cooperation will be needed in getting photos to the Coordinator, along with your input on the dog's personality and needs.
While your input is valued, responsibility for final decisions about the future of all of our rescues lies with the Coordinators and the Vice President of Animal Services.

NBGR needs to pre-approve all veterinary treatment. You will need to follow all veterinary instructions provided and administer all prescription medications and heartworm preventative to your foster Griff. NBGR will pay for all medical care, including heartworm and parasite preventatives.
You will need to be able to assume the responsibilities of feeding, bathing, grooming, and caring for your foster Griff, including emotional rehabilitation for a traumatized dog or crating for a dog going through heartworm treatment.
Though NBGR does not accept vicious dogs into our program, we do not know the histories of many of our rescues. You must contact your Coordinator immediately if your foster Griff bites anyone or injures another pet.

Foster Requirements

The dog must be confined in a fenced yard and should be accompanied when let outdoors. A frightened foster dog can easily slip away.
The dog must be walked/exercised regularly and be on a lead.
The dog must live indoors! All dogs should be trained to crate because we never know when an emergency might require crating your dog.
Griffs are known for being "barkers", and your foster Griff may not be house-trained. Will you have the patience to work on these issues?
Griffs must be carefully monitored around children.

Foster parents are encouraged to maintain an "Aunt" or "Uncle" relationship with the dog in their care, rather than a "Mom" or "Dad" role. Occasionally, however, a foster parent and a Griff will bond so completely that adoption is best for the Griff and family. NBGR does not encourage adoption by the foster homes, but should you wish to adopt your foster, you would need to complete the Adoption Application and make a donation, as would any other adopter.
The NBGR Coordinator needs to be informed if you are planning to take your foster out of town or state for family visits or recreation or if you will be leaving the foster in the care of another while you are away from home.
You must be willing to allow an NBGR representative to visit your home by appointment.

Thank you for being the special type person who helps move Griffs to secure, loving, and happy forever homes.