Becoming a Foster Home

Thank you for your interest in fostering a Smiling Dog!

Foster parents are the most important aspect of any rescue. SDR gets dozens of emails and calls a week begging us to save the lives of dogs in imminent danger of being put to sleep. Since we don’t have a shelter, the number of foster homes that step forward dictates how many lives we are able to save.

Most of our dogs come from high-kill shelters throughout Arizona and California

Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) alone puts down about 50% of the animals who come through their doors– about 31 dogs and cats a day– and many shelters (especially in California) don’t even do that well!  As is the case in most shelters, pit bulls make up an inordinate percentage of those euthanized.  Without the support and presence of fosters within our community, many wonderful, friendly animals could never make it out of the shelter alive.

In order to get involved in this important mission we ask that you fill out this application.  Please realize that when bringing home a new animal you are responsible for the safety and actions of that animal. They do not know what is happening and need guidance and time to adjust. You must be able to supervise them and we cannot be liable for anything that gets chewed, soiled etc.  Please understand that these animals are under the legal guardianship of Smiling Dog Rescue until officially adopted. As a Smiling Dog Rescue foster parent, all medical expenses, spay/neuter, shots and microchipping of your foster dog are covered by Smiling Dog Rescue — but you MUST use our vet The Pet Doctor on Oracle and Orange Grove.  Assistance for food and other supplies may be available upon request.  We also provide a free photo shoot of your foster dog with our photographer Peccadillo Studios.  Call (520) 406-7533 for an appointment.

We’d love for you to join our “Friends of Smiling Dog Rescue” Facebook group to share photos, videos and updates of your foster dog.

Thank you for your compassion and energy towards this important mission.

Apply to foster a Smiling Dog

Step 1 of 4 - Basic information

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• Name*
  First Last
• Email*
• Phone*
• Address
  Street Address City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code
• Please list at least 2 emergency contacts' names and phone numbers
• Have you fostered an animal before?*
  • Yes
  • No

• Do you have pets of your own?*
  • Yes
  • No
• Do any of your pets have special needs?*
  • Yes
  • No
• Please explain.*
• What kinds of pets do you have?*
  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • Other
• How many dogs?*
• What are your dogs gender(s), breed(s) and age(s)?*
• How many cats?*
• What other types of animals do you besides cats or dogs?*
• Are all of your pets vaccinated?*
  • Yes
  • No
• If needed, would you be willing to vaccinate your pets against kennel cough?*
  • Yes
  • No
• Are all of your dogs and/or cats fixed (spayed or neutered)?*
  • Yes
  • No
• Why not?*
• What best describes your dogs' energy levels?*
  • Low
  • Medium
  • High
• What are your dogs like?*
  • Submissive
  • Dominant
• Tell me a bit about your pets' personalities, and anything else you'd like to mention about them.*

• What is the general activity level of your household?*
  • Low
  • Medium
  • Very active
• How many adults live in your household, including yourself?*
• Do you have any children in the home below the age of 18?*
  • Yes
  • No
• Please list names and ages.*
• Is there anyone in your household who has special needs or is allergic to cats and/or dogs?*
  • Yes
  • No
• Please explain.*
• Do you have a fenced-in yard with at least a five-foot fence/wall?*
  • Yes
  • No
• Please describe your yard and height of the fence or wall.*
• Are you willing to foster an animal until it is adopted, which can take anywhere from several weeks to months?*
  • Yes
  • No
• Will you transport the animal to the vet if needed?*
  • Yes
  • No
• Will you consider fostering an older dog (5-10 years old)?*
  • Yes
  • No
• Would you foster a dog from the county shelter's sick bay?*
  • Yes
  • No
• Do you have a crate?*
  • Yes
  • No
• Where will your foster dog be kept during the day?*
• Where will your foster dog be kept at night?*
• If you rent, do you have permission from your landlord to foster a pet?*
  • Yes
  • No
  • N/A
• Check any items that you either have experience with, or would like to learn.
  • Obedience training
  • Bottle feeding
  • House training
  • Giving medications
  • Crate training

• If for any reason you are unable to continue fostering, will you notify Smiling Dog Rescue at least seven days in advance to allow them to find another foster? Foster homes are always full and it is not often easy to move an animal. (If they are under a year old or sick they cannot go into a boarding facility.)*
  • Yes
  • No
•   All fosters must comply with the rules and policies of PACC, including the following:  
  • Bucket or spill proof bowl for water
  • Leash Laws
  • Adequate covered shade when outside
  • Picking up feces daily
    All fosters must keep precise records of your foster animals, which is the following:  
  • Copy of Kennel Card
  • Medical History from PACC
  • Spay or Neuter certificate
  All fosters are required to attend at least one Petsmart adoption event per month and must attend the annual Tucson Meet Yourself festival.

  YOUR AGREEMENT

  I understand that Smiling Dog Rescue cannot and does not make any representation of warranties, either expressed or implied concerning the temperament, habit, health, pedigree, disposition, sex, or background of its animals and that Smiling Dog Rescue pays for all medical for the care of your foster dog. I understand that if I take the foster to any other vet than Smiling Dog Rescue’s vet I will be responsible for payment. Furthermore, I understand the animals’ future reactions to me, my family, and any other persons are completely unpredictable because animals have their own personalities. I assume full responsibility to provide proper food, water, shelter, veterinary care, exercises, and a safe environment for this animal. Animals should never be left unattended in a motor vehicle at any time. In consideration of receiving this animal I hereby release Smiling Dog Rescue, its foster parents and any employees from claims of liability to anyone for injuries or damage caused to them or their others property. By typing my initials below I agree to the conditions above, and I agree to contact Smiling Dog Rescue at least once a week the entire time the animal is in my care at the phone number above or by email, to keep them informed on the well-being of my foster animal.
• Initials*
• Email
  This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

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