FOSTER FAQ
Can I foster outside of Toronto?
Sea Paws Rescue is based in Toronto, and therefore, our resources and support network are limited within Toronto and the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA). We ask that fosters have access to a vehicle (whether their own or support from a friend/family member with a car) to pick up your foster animal, take them to vet visits, and pick up any additional supplies when needed.
What is Sea Paws Rescue's foster home radius?
We accept fosters as far as: West: Kitchner/Waterloo East: Oshawa North: Newmarket
If you would like to foster outside of this radius, please send an email to fosters@seapawsrescue.org, and we will consider an exception for dedicated individuals.
What is the average time of fostering?
Our average time for a dog being in our foster care is between 1-3 months, but this can be longer or shorter depending on the dog and the time of year.
If you're unable to commit to this length of time, you can still apply to be an SPR-approved sitter or temp foster. We ask that you fill out our foster application and indicate that you're available for these positions on the form.
Does fostering cost money?
We provide foster kits that include all basic necessities for the dog's care. This consists of a crate, dog food, dog bowls, a martingale collar, toys, and a leash.
Foster parents are welcome to provide their own crate, food, bed and other items if they choose to do so, as this frees up resources for our rescue to use on others who may require more assistance. Any non-essential items such as additional toys and treats are to be bought at the foster parent's own expense if we do not have any available in our storage unit.
Are medical expenses covered?
The rescue covers all necessary medical expenses unless the vet visit is due to the foster parent's negligence.
All foster dogs visit our partner vet within the first week of being in our care. All dogs receive deworming and flea/tick meds when they arrive in our care. Heartworm preventative is given during the warm months.
If your foster dog requires medical attention, you must contact your Foster Coordinator and the Vetting Team immediately, and they will book you an appointment at our partner vet or get you in contact with your volunteer vet tech.
I live in a small home/condo/apartment. Can I still foster?
Absolutely, we do not disfavour any living situations! Many of our fosters live in condo apartments in Downtown Toronto. No matter what living situation, we just require that you provide the time and exercise your foster dog needs.
I was given a martingale collar with my foster animal but they pull a lot. Can I use a harness instead?
Martingale collars are mandatory for all fosters as they are the safest option for rescues, who can be skittish and slip out of harnesses when spooked. If fosters want to use a harness, it must be in addition to a martingale collar, and dogs must be then walked on double leashes.
If I have other animals, can I foster?
Yes, however, all other animals in the household must be entirely up to date on vaccines (especially Rabies) and must be on heartworm and tick + flea prevention before bringing an SPR animal into your home. All pets in the home must be spayed/neutered.
All cats must be indoor cats, and we approve households with cats on a case-by-case basis, depending on if the cat is dog savvy and has experience with dogs.
I have three or more animals of my own, can I foster?
We will not approve foster parents with three or more animals in the home, as the foster dogs require a place to decompress and have stability before they get adopted.
With more than three animals in the home, it can be challenging to ensure that the foster dog will integrate successfully amongst resident pets, and we require foster dogs get one-on-one time, which might be a challenge to give with four or more animals in the house.
Can I travel while fostering?
If you have to travel for any reason (work/vacation/etc.) while fostering a dog, please let us know as soon as possible to allow us time to find an SPR approved sitter. We require fosters to advise us at least 14 days in advance if a sitter is needed. Fosters are not allowed to leave their foster dog with anyone unless they have permission from the rescue- this includes friends, babysitters, other fosters, foster to adopt situations, etc.
These dogs are our responsibility, and we need to know where they are and under whose care at all times. So, if you're travelling outside of the city in which you live and intend to bring your foster dog (cottage weekend, etc.), we ask you to let us know in advance.
Can I foster if I have children?
We approve foster homes with children on a case-by-case basis. We believe fostering is an excellent way for young children to learn to care for an animal, but we want to make sure the parents understand how to properly create a safe space for the dogs and the children.
The children in the home must know that dogs require their own space, must come to them on their own terms, and must be able to understand dog body language.
If you're applying with children under the age of 14, we ask that you come prepared to the interview with a list of rules and boundaries you've set in place to ensure a safe space for the dog and your kids.
I work out of the home from 9-5pm. Can I still foster with SPR?
Many of our foster parents work outside the home, and we can accommodate many work schedules by appropriately matching dogs to them. However, we have a policy that requires any foster home that will be gone for more than 7-8 hours in a day to have a plan to provide a mid-day bathroom break/exercise time for their foster dog. This could be having another individual in the home responsible for mid-day breaks or finding a volunteer walker to let the dog out for you.
It is essential to have this plan in place before receiving a foster dog into your care, so if this policy applies to you, please come prepared to your foster interview with your plan for ensuring the dog can have a midday break.
What if I need additional supplies?
If you need any additional supplies for your foster dog, please contact our supply team at supplies@seapawsrescue.org. They will get you the supplies needed for your foster dog if they are available. As a volunteer-run rescue, we ask that you please provide a minimum of 7-days notice if you require additional supplies to allow our supply team to coordinate a pick-up/drop-off with you.
Can I choose the dogs I want to foster?
No! Unfortunately, with so many dogs urgently requiring foster homes, we do not allow foster parents to pick and choose their foster dogs. As part of our foster interviewing process, we work to thoroughly understand your experience level, living situation, and availability, which we use to match you with an incoming foster dog.
Can I bring my foster animal to public parks/off leash parks or group play dates?
We do NOT allow our foster dogs in public off-leash settings like dog parks or off-leash pack walks.
Dog park play dates can be highly unpredictable and breeding grounds for diseases and illnesses like kennel cough. As we do not have a complete background on all the dogs at a dog park, an off-leash play date at one can quickly turn into an expensive vet visit or even create a bite history for a dog.
If you would like your foster to join a group playdate, we ask that you wait until their decompression period is over and only go with dogs you know are UTD on vetting.
Dogs can be unpredictable at the end of the day, and we want to do everything possible to keep you, other pets and our foster dogs safe.
What if my foster animal is not working out for me?
We typically do not move dogs from foster homes once they have been placed in care, as it adds additional stress to the dog in an already new and stressful situation. If you find yourself having issues, please reach out to your Foster Coordinator right away so that we can assist you and your dog. We have a great support network and a responsive and knowledgeable team of Foster Coordinators who will work to set you and your foster dog up for success.
What if I want to adopt my foster?
Fostering can be very emotional and isn't uncommon for first-time fosters to want to adopt their first foster dog. Unfortunately, due to a lack of foster homes and a demand for dogs in need of homes, we do NOT allow first-time fosters to "foster fail" their first dog/puppy.
Foster homes are very different from forever homes, which is why when fosters are interviewed and onboarded, it is based on caring for a foster dog for a short duration of time until it finds a long-term forever home. Adoption applications and interviews are longer and more thorough to see if you are a long-term match for the dog.
After successfully fostering one dog for Sea Paws Rescue, foster parents will be able to adopt their future foster dogs. We give our foster parents ten days, starting the day the dog arrives in their care to decide if they would like to submit an adoption application for their foster animal, which our adoptions team will then review to see if you are a match long term.
If you're looking to adopt, please view the adoptables page on our website to view dogs in care looking for a forever home or browse through our Instagram and Facebook to view incoming dogs available for "foster to adopt" homes.
Foster-to-adopt is fostering with the intent of adopting the dog you applied for. If you're looking to foster-to-adopt, please fill out the adoption application.
Can I schedule a meet and greet?
No! All meet and greets are organized by SPR's Adoptions Team, and fosters cannot schedule a meet and greet with potential applicants without our permission. We require all potential adopters to apply online and pre-screened before planning a meet and greet. This process must be followed even if a friend, family member or co-worker wants to adopt your foster dog. Let us know if you would like to recommend someone, so our team can be on the lookout for their application.
When do I hand off my foster animal to their adopter?
Do not transfer your dog to an adopter until you have approval to do so from Sea Paws Rescue. Once the dog is adopted, all SPR supplies must be returned to us. Please do not give these supplies to the adopter.