Did you know you CAN foster?!  I have seen posts of so many willing rattie lovers, but something is holding you back.  May I ask what?

Did you know you can foster if you live in an apartment?

Did you know you can foster if you work full time?

Did you know you can foster even if you don't have a fence?

Did you know that the medical expenses are reimbursed?

Did you know if someone in your state does a PetSmart partnership you can even get free dog food for your fosters?

Did you know you can be specific as to who you take in and when?

I could go on and on about how you CAN foster, so please seriously think about it and if you have questions before you fill out the application reach out to me or another Ratbone foster parent to answer them.  We need you! 

If you are ready to start the application process visit http://www.ratbonerescues.com/ratbone_volunteer_app.php

If you aren't ready now, we can find a way for you to volunteer to help the needy ratties.  Just ask. 

Hey Donna,

I sent you an email.

Thanks for the post!

Chrys,

We'll be ready and waiting. =)

Hi All, I have to put my two cents in. My hubby and I are new fosters for ratbone rescues

First, why did we diecide to foster? Over six years ago I discovered a rat terrier rescue site and found a dog that just talked to me from one pciture. Her name was Penny and she was foudn in a farmers field in Iowa in the middle of the winter with some other ratties. I watched her a few months and my hubby thought I was nuts to want a friend for our now five year old ratty. Penny was a puppy mill escapee they figured. The rescue people took her from the shelter and got her comfortable on a leash and took care of her, then met us at Chicago airport. My hubby fell in love. Ever after day 1 Mooch and Penny were like brother and sister. Penny taught us what love was. Even after all she had been through, shown with her fear of going through a door near a person for a few months and health issues later in life, she was a happy and loving, gentle soul. She enriched our souls and out lifes. When we lost her to heart issues in October, we cried for a while, then revisited fostering with ratbones.

Second, after watching the ratbones website for over a year and almost fostering last year before penny got so sick, we decided to take the plunge and foster this year. We were scared, but we are after 12 years, experienced ratty lovers. Our first foster Chloe was an owner surrender and we deicded to try fostering her. We couldn't understand why anyone would surrender a ratty. She has been a delight. We enjoy getting to know her, re-learning how to train and getting out and walking again. Mooch hates to walk since he's older, but now he's getting moving again too.  Every soul we touch is another soul we help to save. We even have a penny fund at home, we save all our $1 bills for ratty vet expenses if needed. We have had very little expenses so far, one vet wellness visit and they even inserted her ID chip for free. So even after our worries about money and coping, we've woven her into our life and hopefullu are prepping her for a happy forever home.

It helped greatly to have an experienced older dog in the house to potty train and show the new doggie the ropes. Doggy arguments are bound to happen, but if you remain the head of the house, these things can be controlled and harmony will settle in eventually.

Third, we couldn't do it without the ratbones family, who are so supportive and understanding. There's a ton of knowledge out there to help us along the way. This web site has also been a goldmine. I serach here for food reviews, medical advise, trainig advise and just plain fellowship.

Four, so if you're thinking of fostering, keep thinking and asking questions. We can only foster one ratty at a time. We work full time, but have lunch time to give them a pitty break. We have lots of time to give love and attention, and that's all these dogs really want. Everything else is gravy.   

Don't get me wrong, it is work and you need to put some effort into training them every day, but this is actually helping us to re-inforce our older dogs training. YES! You can teach an old dog new tricks. When you get that first grateful kiss in thanks from yoru first foster, it's well worth it.

Connie, L.I. NY

ahhh love that! good for you! And can I say that I didn't even pay for Polo at the spca cause im a rescue!but I did pay for his CHIP,And he is a joy!!! and so in love with his home,and bros too!And if my LAP and Bed were bigger I'd have a house full too!

I thought I would bring this post back to the top.  If I remember right Mitzy's Mom (aka Mary Beth) thought she could not foster (correct me if I am wrong MB) and was going to temp foster and now is a regular foster mom with Danica and is doing wonderfully!

I thought I would just mention this because it is amazing what you can accomplish once you put your mind to it and I am very thankful for people like Mary Beth who take that "risk" and open their homes up to needy ratties to help them to get to their forever families.

Thank you to everyone who is fostering now and will foster in the future!

How does Sam feel about puppies?  I know some dogs who are not into other dogs will tolerate the babies.  You may already be working on him, but some suggestions to help is to take him to places like PetSmart, obedience class with other dogs and friends dogs. 

Its great that you have the desire to foster and now Sam needs to develope the same desire.  Maybe sit down and have a talk with him too.  =)

There are other ways to help in the meantime so if you are up for it email me offline.

Thanks for the post!

Teresa,

Maybe you can try temp fostering first.  I know Kathy in WA flies in ratties from TX and might need a temp spot for them and this will help you see if you are game.  Temping can be 2 weeks or a few days depending on the need at the time.

It took my hubby about 6 months to give in.  So I hear ya!

Ratbone has a policy that you cannot adopt your fosters (there are few exceptions on a case by case basis), but if you set your mind to saving lives you will know you can't keep them all.  Out of 8 or 9 that we have had I only wanted to keep 2 so far and they are both with fantastic forever families.  If I didn't let go they wouldn't have had the opportunity they have today and the humans have the greatest ratties ever.

Just more fuel to your fire.

Paula,

I would LOVE to foster.  Working on hubby... he is worried that he and the kids would get really attatched than the dog would get adopted... 

So here are a couple concerns off the top of my head...

Our house is SMALL.  2 bedrooms and about 850 sq ft, we have a small fenced in (6 ft privacy fence) backyard and live at the end of a dead end road. Would that be counted against us(the small house part)? 

I have two young kids who, even though I am working very hard to teach not to, can be rough.  My biggest concern is bringing a dog in that could possible hurt my kids.

We also have a cat.

I am a stay at home mom so being around isn't going to be a problem.  hehe  But because I am a stay at home mom we live on a tight budget... I think I read that you get reimbursed for vet costs, am I correct?  

Also, Lucy is pretty young, only about 2 1/2 months old and she isn't fixed YET... would we need to wait until she is fixed??

I was looking over the list of volunteer responsibilities and have a couple questions about those..  What all does the Pet Publicist and Petsmart Partner do??   

OK, that is all I have for now.  LoL! 

Maybe fostering is not the right option for you right now or maybe temp fostering is a better idea.  Part of my response will answer another posters question as well...  The vet expenses are reimbursed so if you get one that needs to be vaccinated and spay/neutered you pay for it up front and submit to our treasurer and then a check is cut and mailed to you.  Depending on the doations we have it could take a little while (maybe a month at most?), but you will be reimbursed.  I personally cannot take ones with lots of special needs like broken bones or puppies since hubby and I work full time and financially would not be an option, but if you could then you get the estimate for the work pre-approved and reimbursed after.

What you are responsible for is food, treats, collar, leash and love.  Ratbone provides the microchip and heart worm preventative.  If you wanted to purchase other items like toys that is up to you.  I get things donated from garage sales like crates, leashes and toys (I even got dog clothes - but not a need LOL)  So you can really be creative in how to get those "extras" for your foster baby.

Taking in any dog or a particular dog is 100% up to you so just because you sign up doesn't mean you have to take every dog that is in need.  Your first priority is your Joleigh.

If you or mom have any questions I am here for them.

Teresa,

Make him his favorite dinner!  That's how it works in my house when I am going to bring one home that is not hubbies cup of tea.

Can you email me at smiles4lifepkn @ yahoo.com so I can send you more info?  (remove the spaces)

Ashlee,

Here are answers to your questions/concerns.  I hope you don't mind me posting here rather than email.  I thought others might have the same questions.

Getting attached - How can you not get attached to these little sweeties?  I get attached to the majority, but my goal is to save lives and not keep them all for myself.  If I don't let go then 1. I can't save another, 2. the family who wants her/her will miss out on a great rattie and 3. the rattie will have the best possible family and I will always be there if needed.  Ratbone's policy is that you cannot adopt your own foster kid (there have been exceptions, but shouldn't be the norm) so knowing that should help you and the family do what is best for the rattie you are helping.  Consider it a Rat Terrier on loan.

Housing - As long as your home is safe for the rattie you could live in an apartment, a trailer, a large home, small home, etc.  You might want to limit the amount you have at once for sanity, but you don't even have to have a fence to foster!  Each applicant to foster is considered on a case by case basis.  So no, this doesn't disqualify you.

Kids - you may just need to get help from your state coordinator to test the dog before having you foster him/her.  Some dogs do not like children (I have one) so you'd just have to do your homework and work with the kids as well.  It would be great training for them now and if you fostered to learn how to treat a dog.  This will be best for rattie and children.  You having children is like a benefit though because you can say "YES" this dog is good with dog savvy children on their bio.  That is something I cannot do unless I take mine to PetSmart since we don't have skin kids.

Cat - How does your cat feel about ratties?  I would talk it over with that cat LOL.  Again, you'd have to work with your state coordinator to see about getting a cat savvy dog or keep them seperated if possible.  This is really a benefit like the kids because you can say the rattie is good or not good with cats. 

Expenses - I posted this to Teresa's post as well.  It is spelled out in the handbook, but Ratbone reimburses vetting such as spay/neuter, vaccination and HW test.  If it is anything outside of the norm you just get it pre-approved and go from there.  We take in ones that are HW+, have broken bones and other health issues so we just try to be smart with who can take in and how we spend the donations.  We also try to work with vets to get rescue rates if necessary.  Here in Georgia we are spoiled and have many low cost vetting available.  Items such as food, treats, toys, leashes and collars are up to you.  I try to make it a game and get things on sale, walmart, garage sales and so forth to keep the cost down.  Anything you don't get reimbursed for is tax deductible (even miles) so you just keep track of it all.

Lucy - Yes, Lucy will need to be spayed before you can get the final approval.  This is actually better for her health and temperment so weather you foster or not I am pro spay/neuter.  I've just seen to many that were not and what happens later in life to believe otherwise. This would apply to the kitty too. =) I t is a personal decision. 

Other - PetSmart Partnership is AWESOME!  This is a partnership with PetSmart to be able to be at PetSmart showing the available fosters, get money for each adoption that happens in your state ($15 per adoption), other donations onsite, publicity for rescue and Ratbone and more.  In Georgia we go once a month and set up with our available fosters in the area and talk about rescue and our available ratties.  We meet many great people, get donations and make connections to help the ratties find their forever home.  We also accept volunteer and adoption applications onsite, but none are adopted at that time.

The PetPublicist I don't know much about, but can get info for you off chat.

Sorry this was so long, but I wanted to cover everything I could thoroughly!  Hope this helped.

I love the discussion we are having today!

Answer to EMG - It sounds like you can work on Sam to see how he does.   Does your own dog do well being home alone 6hrs?  So would a foster =)  Let me tell you about my situation.  I am married and we both work full time (40hr weeks each), we have 4 of our own ratties and foster 2 at a time normally (completely our decison and based on who we have at the time), we have a decent size home no kids and a good sized backyard.  Our ratties are our babies so our free time is really all about them.  If you think about the person who would probably adopt your foster they might live in an apartment and work 8yrs a day so the rattie will need to learn to be on their own for the majority of the dogs rehomed.

Temp fostering is when you hold a dog for a short period of time (a few days a few weeks) until it can be transported or the foster home they are going to has space.  A designated amount of time can be arranged before you take him/her in.  BEWARE: you will get hooked and want to foster yourself all the way to adoption since you will put your love, attention and training into that rattie.  But either is so worth it and needed!

Answer to Joleigh's mom - You do pretty much have a revolving door since there is almost always one in need.  In the south it is crazy the amount we cannot place and in Texas they have to fly them out because there are so few fosterhomes and so many ratties.  So it would be a good training experience for your godchild to learn how to help animals.

I would love to foster but I would rather wait until my youngest is 4 or 5. I fostered Aussies when my aussie was young and it was rewarding. I am trying to adopt a rattie from ratbones so I hope that is contributing! I would like to check out the other ways I can help. I imagine once we have dog #2, we can be a temporary foster.

Thanks for posting the info.

Christine

Christine,

How old is your youngest now?  Its great that you are planning ahead! 

Who are you looking to adopt?  We all love to hear the stories here of adoption!  It is very much helping getting that little one a wonderful forever home.

Other ways to volunteer include: Conducting Home Visits and transports just to name a few. If you check out the Ratbone site you can see more and apply to help in those ways. 

Thanks for the post!

Hi there Paula - I previously filled out an application to volunteer for RBR but never heard anything back.  I was getting ready to resubmit another application when I came across this thread.  I spoke to hubby and he would be willing to Temp foster, if we meet the criteria necessary.  I'm not sure if we do.  We do have a large fenced in back yard.  Both my husband and I work full time.  I have my two ratties and our 7 month old son, Brock.  Batman is NOT neutered.  I imagine this would be the biggest problem with us not being approved.  I don't have any plans to get him neutered.  If you think we could still be of assistance as far as Temp fostering, please let me know.  Otherwise, I'll just resubmit my application for the other things like making follow up phone calls, helping with paperwork, etc.  :-)

Hey all, just wanted to throw in my two cents here.

Like Paula said, I just applied to temp foster at first for a couple of reasons: wasn't sure hubby would go for regular foster, didn't know I'd be reimbursed for vet expenses and was afraid we'd get too attached.  After talking to the RBR volunteer who did my interview I realized the vet expense was reimbursed, you can't adopt your own foster (so you know going in that is not your dog!) AND after talking to Bill he was all for regular foster.

We do have a tiny house and 4 dogs of our own.  We also work full time.  Luckily we have a fenced yard which is very helpful for us but not necessary for fostering.  We crate our foster while we're at work and she's fine.

And Paula is my state coordinator and she really spent time talking to me and learning about our household and my other dogs.  She sent me an "easy" dog for my first foster.  Our experience really has been great, Danica fits in well and is really sweet.  It is work (5 dogs!), we're always vigilant about pack dynamics and body language....have to really supervise feeding time, etc.  But for us it's really working out!

And if you foster a rattie that's one more rattie that won't be in a kill shelter.  Oh, and you do get attached but I've found that I just try harder to find Danica a good forever home of her own because of that!