Have you been wondering how you can help GRRIN? Why not open your heart and home to a Golden Retriever in need. Becoming a foster parent is the single most important way to volunteer your time. Without foster homes, GRRIN cannot rescue the many Golden Retrievers who need our help. GRRIN currently has a team of outstanding foster parents but we always need more. At least twice a year, we are forced to close our doors because there are no foster homes available. We currently place 35-40 dogs a year into new homes. This number could easily double with additional foster homes.

The principle behind fostering is to provide the dog with a home environment conducive to evaluating their health, habits and behavior, and to offer the new owner more information about the dog.

The majority of dogs come to us from private owners. "No time" is the biggest reason. Frequently they acquire the dog as an adorable puppy and are unprepared for the physical, psychological and emotional needs of an adolescent Golden. Other reasons include moving, divorce, or an allergy to the dog. A small percentage of dogs are strays that are surrendered via Good Samaritans or local humane societies.

As a foster parent, you will provide a safe, loving environment where the dog will be prepared for his new permanent home. While in foster care, your Golden will be brought up to date on all vaccinations and given a heartworm and fecal test. You will work closely with GRRIN volunteers to help us evaluate the dog for any health or behavior issues and teach the dog how to be a polite member of the family. Your responsibilities include feeding, exercising, socializing, grooming, reinforcing basic obedience commands, and of course, providing love and security to a special Golden at an often difficult time in the dog’s life. All foster homes receive GRRIN’s Foster Home Manual which provides guidance on routines and special aspects of fostering. As a foster parent, you’ll make recommendations to help select the best adoptive family for your foster Golden (you know the dog best!)

The time you commit to fostering can be as little as a couple of hours a day to as much time as you would like to spend with the dog. You do not need to be home all day in order to be a foster home. Many of our foster parents work regular full-time jobs. In addition, finances should never prevent someone from wanting to become a foster home. All costs associated with fostering, except dog food, are covered by GRRIN.

Anywhere from two weeks to two months is typical but occasionally longer if behavioral or medical issues are present.

The biggest reason people hesitate to foster is because they become attached to their foster dog. This undoubtedly will happen. However, the real payoff is meeting the new family who’s ready to provide a permanent, loving home for the dog you’ve helped rescue. You’ll feel an overwhelming sense of satisfaction when you see your foster dog move on to his new and better life.