Fostering

What does fostering mean? Collie Rescue Network has no shelter or kennel facility and therefore relies on the foster care system to help the collies in need across Canada. When a collie comes to rescue with us, he is placed into a home with a foster family who then takes on the day-to-day care of the collie. The foster home feeds, walks and medicates the collie if necessary. They take the collie to the vet for a check-up and then follow through with whatever may need to be done to bring the collie back to health. Most of all, the foster home lets the collie know that someone truly cares. Many of these collies come to us in one state of neglect or another and often have never had a true family experience. While in foster care they learn that someone actually loves them, that someone thinks they are worth saving! The love given to our rescue collies by the foster families always amazes and humbles us and we would never be able to do what we do without this wonderful, caring and very special group of individuals.

Who pays the bills for the medical and grooming expenses? All expenses incurred by a fostered collie are paid for by Collie Rescue Network. We ask that the foster home provide and pay for the food if they are able, but that will be covered as well if needed. Everything else, from grooming, to veterinary care to obedience classes if the collie needs them are paid for by the rescue.

What if I only want to foster older/younger/males/females/other collies? All our foster homes set their own limits on what type of collie they can foster in their home. Some of our current foster homes can only foster female collies as their own male dog does not like other males; some can only foster seniors as they would prefer not to work with younger, boisterous dogs and need a more laid-back, easier foster dog; some fosters have young children and can only take in collies known to be good with children; or some can only foster collies good with cats, or dogs, or horses, or a variety of other things. Everyone's home and lifestyle differs and we understand that. We work to match each rescue collie to the foster home that best fits his/her needs while making sure the collie also fits into the lifestyle of the foster family.

How do we become a foster family? To become a foster family with Collie Rescue Network you will go through much the same process as when a family applies to adopt a collie. You will fill in a foster home applications for (found below), then we will have a volunteer visit with you in your home to discuss what limitations you may need for the collies that come into your home as well as discussing fostering in general. Finally, you sign a contract with Collie Rescue Network that states you are a foster home for CRN and that you agree to follow set guidelines for the collies in your care (guidelines regarding vetting procedures, etc.).

If you would like more information on how to become a foster family for CRN, please contact Marie Plunkett, our Foster Home Coordinator at foster@collierescuenetwork.com and she will be happy to discuss the process with you.