Foster Care Interest Form
Are You Ready For Foster Care?
**Applicants must live within a 50-mile radius of either our San Rafael, CA or Boring, OR campuses**
Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) has strict rules to follow when caring for our foster dogs so they may continue to practice good behavior and prepare for life with a visually impaired handler. With that mission in mind, GDB rules are often different from what people are familiar doing with their own pet dog.
Please review and complete this checklist to determine if you would be a fit as a future Foster Care Provider and be willing to follow the rules below. Following these expectations is crucial to the future success of any dog that spends time in a foster care home.
Contact Information
First Name (Required)
Middle Name
Last Name (Required)
Street Address (Required)
Street Address 2
City (Required)
State (Required)
Please select...
CA
OR
WA
Zip Code (Required)
Contact Information
Email (Required)
Preferred Phone
Please select...
Home
Work
Mobile
Home Phone (area code first)
Cell Phone (area Code first)
Work Phone (area code first)
Foster Care Provider Expectations
I am at home and available most of the year and willing to help as a Foster Care Provider for at least a year or more.
People with busy travel schedules do not suit the needs we have.
Yes
No
I am aware these dogs are with me only temporarily and GDB determines the final home for adoptable dogs.
THIS IS NOT A FOSTER-TO-ADOPT program.
Yes
No
Everyone in the home is supportive of doing foster care and willing to adhere to GDB rules both at home and when on walks with the dog.
Yes
No
I am willing to promptly reply to communications from the Foster Care Coordinator.
Yes
No
I am willing to use a crate to confine the dog when no one can directly supervise the dog.
GDB provides a crate and all other foster supplies. No bedding is allowed in the crate, unless given special permission for certain dogs.
Yes
No
I am willing to use a tie down (indoor tether) to safely limit the foster dog's access at times to help maintain appropriate house manners, even when you are home.
Dogs may earn freedom over time, but not always.
Yes
No
I have experience with and am comfortable walking a large, potentially energetic dog.
We expect our foster dogs to have at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, and many dogs may need more than this. Adequate exercise can help prevent health and behavior issues.
Yes
No
I am willing to always walk the foster dog in a head collar.
Head collars help with control and allow them to practice good manners on a walk. We can provide training or video links to educate you on the proper use of this vital tool. HEAD COLLARS ARE MANDATORY WHILE WALKING FOSTER DOGS.
Yes
No
I am willing to always leash relieve the foster dog (many are required to be relieved on hard surfaces only such as asphalt or concrete) versus turning them loose in the yard.
FOSTER DOGS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO BE TAKEN TO DOG PARKS, BEACHES, OR HIKING TRAILS WITH OFF LEASH DOGS, even though the foster dog is on leash. It encourages undesirable behaviors around dogs. FOSTER DOGS ARE ONLY ALLOWED OFF LEASH IN A SECURLY FENCED YARD.
Yes
No
I am willing to relieve the foster dog prior to the walk and prevent any sniffing, pulling on leash, toileting, and visiting other dogs on the walk.
Our dogs must go on a "purposeful walk" to prevent behaviors that are not conducive to formal guidework training/behaviors. You may need to adjust your schedule and wait until they relieve themselves before going on a walk to prevent dog from having an accident.
Yes
No
I am willing to closely supervise all interactions with children and /or other animals.
Yes
No
I am willing to properly manage my pet(s) around the foster dog and follow GDB rules with a foster dog, even if they are different from my pet's rules.
This includes not allowing energetic play inside the home (only calm play, such as "mouth wrestling," is allowed.) I confirm that my pet dogs are friendly and well-behaved around other dogs.
Yes
No
I am willing to restrict the foster dog's access to non GDB-approved pet toys.
Yes
No
I am willing to attend additional training seminars related to dog behavior and training to keep up my foster care skills.
Yes
No
I am willing to conduct regular body checks, grooming, and basic medical care (ear cleaning, teeth brushing, etc.) for the foster dog.
Yes
No
I am willing to promptly inform GDB staff if I have any behavioral or medical concerns with a foster dog.
Yes
No
I am willing and able to bring a foster dog to the GDB vet as needed.
Yes
No
I am willing and able to return a foster dog to GDB if given just 24 hours' notice.
Yes
No
I am willing to fill out a behavior record for the foster dog whenever requested.
Yes
No
I will keep the Foster Care Coordinator updated regarding my availability to foster and let GDB staff know whenever I need to return a dog for any reason.
No one other than an approved Foster Care Provider can care for our dogs.
Yes
No
I am aware that GDB dogs in foster care have no legal access to public places, other than what a pet dog is allowed.
Yes
No
I am at home most of the day. Foster Dogs should not be left home in a crate for more than 4 hours during the day.
On occasion, arrangements can be made for a foster dog to have daycare at the GDB campus if you will be gone from home longer than 4 hours.
Yes
No
Thank you for your interest.
Because future guide dogs must be handled properly, we can only accept applications from volunteers who are comfortable following these important rules. The future success of our dogs depends on caretaker compliance, so please assess your situation and your willingness to handle our dogs as is required. Foster Care Providers replicate the same expectations the dogs experienced in their puppy raiser and client homes. It is easier for the dog to be successful in a variety of homes because of this consistency.
Please feel free to reach out to the GDB Foster Care Coordinator if you have questions that need further clarification. Thank you for your interest in the Foster Care Program at Guide Dogs for the Blind. For those who are comfortable following these expectations, it can be an extremely rewarding volunteer role!
Contact Information