Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc. -- RESCUE, the compassionate alternative.
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About Fostering
We welcome you to join Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue & Sanctuary’s (HBGRR) Foster Family Team! As you know, we rely on our foster families to care for our Goldens while being matched with their permanent families. Being a foster family is one of the most rewarding volunteer opportunities. You not only get the joy of seeing your foster Golden begin to shine, but also watch them become a part of their very own permanent and loving home.  

Becoming a Foster Family
Before you become a foster family for HBGRR, you will receive a visit from one of our Home Visit Team members. The purpose of the visit is to not only assure a secure, loving environment for the Golden, but to also talk with you and your family about what type of Goldens you are willing to foster (i.e. age, sex, activity level, short-term foster, long-term foster, etc.). This will assure that you are matched with foster dogs that fit well with your family. 
  
When You Get Your Foster Dog
When you get your foster dog, it will be current on all of its vaccinations, heartworm tested, spayed/neutered and any health issues (if any) will have been addressed. Most likely, your foster Golden will have been in short-term foster for at least a week, so we have a general idea of temperament and if he/she is housebroken.  

When your new foster dog is brought to you, you will also receive a supply of food and a small supply of flea and heartworm preventative. If you run out of food or flea and heartworm preventative, please contact the Foster Coordinator. They will see that you receive additional supplies. 

If at any time the dog is not working well in your home, please contact the Foster Coordinator. They will make arrangements to pick up the Foster Golden immediately. HBGRR’s goal is to assure the foster situation is a good experience for the Golden and the foster family.

What Are Your Responsibilities as a Foster Family?
Your main role as a foster family is to love your foster Golden. Many of the dogs are confused and not sure of their situation. The thing they need most of all is a lot of love and patience. In addition to love, we ask that our foster families acclimate their foster dog to living in a home. You may need to teach basic obedience such as sit, down, stay, come and house manners. If your foster dog has not been housebroken, we ask that you accomplish that as well. In addition, it is important to keep your foster dog clean and brushed. After all, you never know when you will get a call from the future family of your foster Golden!

You are not responsible for veterinary care for your foster Golden. If you believe your foster requires veterinary care, we ask that you get prior authorization from the Foster Coordinator. HBGRR contracts with specific veterinarians that give us a discounted rate. The veterinarians are instructed to receive authorization from HBGRR before treating one of our Goldens. Of course, if it is after-hours or an emergency situation, bring your foster dog to the nearest emergency clinic for treatment. Contact the Foster Coordinator or HBGRR as soon as possible to apprise us of the situation. 

We also ask that you give the Foster Coordinator periodic updates on your foster dog’s progress. The more information we can give to potential adopters, the better. 

Foster Family Questions
If you have any questions about your foster Golden (i.e. behavior, training issues, health issues, etc.), please feel free to contact the Foster Coordinator. HBGRR’s team has volunteers that are experienced in behavior and training issues, nutrition, health issues, and just about any other dog-related question. The HBGRR team is always available to help you through any situation. 

Adoptive Family
When we believe we may have an adoptive family for your foster Golden, you will receive a phone call from the Home Visit Team member handling the adoption. The Home Visit Team member will let you know the name of the approved adoptive family that will be making arrangements to meet your foster Golden. If you feel the family is a good match, the Golden may go home with its new family at the time of the visit. Remember, you have put the most love and time into your foster Golden. If you have any hesitations, refer the family back to HBGRR.
  
Some foster families have a hard time saying goodbye to their Golden. Please remember, a lot of time and effort has been put into finding the perfect home for your foster Golden. When they are finally placed with their new family, be assured that it is the best home possible. In addition, many of our foster families decide to adopt their foster Goldens. Our foster families always have first option to adopt.
  
Please consider becoming a member of our Foster Family team! Without our foster families, we could not rescue and care for the many Golden Retrievers that come to us. You truly are Golden angels! 

THANK YOU FOR CARING!

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Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue & Sanctuary, Inc. is an All-Volunteer,
 501(c)(3) non-profit organization - Tax ID #68-0442702

 

7495 Natomas Road, Elverta CA  95626  |  TEL  916-655-1410  |  FAX  916-655-3410   |  501(c)(3) non-profit organization - Tax ID #68-0442702