Foster Care
What is the Foster Care Program?
The Foster Care Program helps to give our Great Danes a new start to a better life. Foster carers provide temporary homes for animals that are not yet ready to go to a new, permanent home for a variety of reasons.
What types of Great Danes need fostering?
- Underage puppies.
- Great Danes recovering from surgery or suffering from temporary and curable medical conditions.
- Great Danes exhibiting minor and curable behavioural issues.
- Great Danes who do not cope in kennels.
- Great Danes who have no other location to live whilst they wait for their new home.
Many of the animals that require fostering have already been through stressful changes so as their carer you may be faced with a period of adjustment where the animal, particularly older ones, may be unresponsive or afraid. This is usually overcome with time and patience.
How does a Great Dane benefit from our Foster Care Program?
Great Danes fostered in a home environment often show a more accurate display of their normal behaviour. This assists with assessing their temperament and finding them the perfect new home.
How do you benefit?
You will gain an insight into animal welfare by learning about handling and training techniques and animal behaviour. Fostering can be a very rewarding experience and enriches the lives of shelter animals.
Who can become a foster carer?
Any animal welfare advocate over 18 years of age who can provide:
- dedication and commitment to care.
- time to spend with the foster animal/s.
- a secure environment.
- have various insurance policies and Medicare cover.
- written permission from a landlord if renting.
- their own transport to and from the Vet.
What are the legal obligations and responsibilities involved with being a foster carer?
The adoption process remains the responsibility of the G.D.R.R. It is not the foster carer’s right or responsibility to locate a new home for foster animal/s.
You must always handle the animal appropriately.
You must never engage in physical punishment of a foster animal.
You must report any noticeable health or behavioural changes (both positive and negative) to G.D.R.R
Important information regarding euthanasia
On rare occasions, not all foster animals can be successfully re-homed. This could be due to untreatable behavioural or medical issues that were not initially identified prior to the foster program.
G.D.R.R is fully committed to re-homing as many healthy, happy animals as possible, however unfortunately some animals may not be suitable despite our best efforts.
Frequently asked questions:
How many Great Danes can I foster?
1 Great Dane at the time unless the dogs come as pair.
How long does fostering last?
The length of time a Great Dane spends with you depends on the reason it needs foster care. This can be anywhere from one week to six months and in some cases more. Typically Great Danes are adopted within a 3 month period.
What if I have other pets?
It is very important that your animals are sociable and fully vaccinated in order to protect both them and your foster animal. You will need to consider how a foster animal will impact on your life, home and other animals in your household.
What if I have children?
You need to inform us if you have children or if children visit your home, as not all foster dogs are compatible with children.
What about feeding costs?
Feeding costs are generally the responsibility of the foster carer (unless a special diet is required). As a not for profit organisation our resources are scarce and your help in this regard is greatly appreciated.
What support will I receive from G.D.R.R?
You will be given an information pack and you can contact us at anytime for advice.
What insurance do I need?
You must have current Motor Vehicle Insurance to cover any damage in the event of an accident while transporting the foster animal.
You must also have a current insurance policy for Home and Contents Insurance, which will cover any damage done by the foster animal.
It is also a requirement that you have appropriate Medicare cover for your protection in the event of an injury caused by the foster animal.
You will need to maintain all insurance policies/cover while volunteering as a foster carer for the G.D.R.R.
What happens if my foster dog becomes sick or needs to go to a vet?
Veterinary costs are paid for by the G.D.R.R unless your actions were negligent. If any problems arise you will be given contact numbers to ring so that treatment can be arranged. You must contact us before going to a Vet.
Will it be difficult to say goodbye?
Saying goodbye to foster dogs can be difficult and upsetting. However, most foster carers also say that the rewards of giving animals a warm, happy foster home far outweigh the pain of parting.
And of course, there will always be another Great Dane at some stage needing to fill their space!
How do I become a foster carer?
It’s easy! Contact your States Co-ordinator - click here
We will then send you a Foster Care Pack, which includes an application form.
What happens next?
Foster care applicants are not automatically accepted into the G.D.R.R Foster Care Program. We will process your application form and contact you.
All prospective foster carers will need to be prepared for an interview to discuss their application form, a premises inspection may be conducted to ensure you have a suitable environment in which to care for foster animal/s and you will be asked to sign a Foster Agreement