Quote:
Originally Posted by zoeybear  How long is the average stay with a foster family? |
It can vary. One thing that I believe is of utmost importance is that a foster home keep a pup for a minimum of two weeks, preferably about four for strictly an evaluation period.
If it takes a year....(that may sound crazy to some)...then it takes a year!
They do not show their true personalities in the first few weeks, so it is difficult to determine what home would best suit their needs.
My rule of thumb when I foster is that I will be willing to keep the pup forever if I cannot find his perfect home. I do not take in more than I can handle just to get them out of shelters. I will not adopt to any home that cannot give more than I can. I often see people feeling badly about pups that are in foster care. I cannot speak for every foster home, but most that I know give their fosters the same care they give their own pups; and the goal should not be in quantity of pups saved, but quality. Rescues should be going beyond what shelters do...the ultimate goal should be to find the perfect home for each pups needs. That, in turn, will also be the perfect pup for that home. This, in my opinion, is the best way to keep these babies out of the system.