Life as a DREAM Foster Home

If you have time and love to spare, consider becoming a DREAM foster home. Our foster homes find the experience extremely rewarding. Fostering allows you to have a direct impact on the lives of many dachshunds who otherwise would have no hope. The lack of foster space is our biggest limitation to saving more dachshunds. We are forced to turn away dachshunds almost every day because we do not have the space to house them. There are just too many. 
But we can help one at a time.

Fostering - Frequently Asked Questions 

Does it cost money?

Well, some.  DREAM pays for all veterinary expenses, including vaccinations, spay/neuter, and any medical needs.  Foster homes pay for food, toys, flea / tick preventative, and heartworm preventative, probably adding up to about $20 / month per foster dog.  When you get your foster dog, in most cases it will already have received all vetting.  If it has not, you may have to take the dog for vetting, and DREAM will reimburse you for the cost.

How long does a typical foster dog stay in a foster home?

This is difficult to answer.  Young, healthy female purebreds stay in DREAM for about a month. It takes a little longer to find just the right homes for older dogs, dogs with medical issues, and dogs with behavioral issues.  For some reason, male dogs also tend to take longer to adopt.

What if I want to adopt my foster?

Affectionately called “foster failure,” this does happen.  If you really want to adopt your foster dog, you can.  We try to discourage that, though, because that means we lose a foster space.

What about when I go on vacation?

We are a community of volunteers who love dachshunds.  When you go on vacation, you can email the other DREAM foster homes to see if any of them can take care of your foster dog for you.  If no one can, we ask that you treat your foster dog as you would your own dogs by boarding or bringing in a pet sitter at your expense.  Remember, we all do it for the love.

Can I foster only certain kinds of dachshunds?

Yes.  When you decide to foster, you will tell us what kinds of situations you can and cannot handle.  Some foster homes take in only senior dogs, while others enjoy working with dogs to resolve behavioral problems.  Some can take only dogs that are good with children or cats.  Some foster homes like to work with dogs who need physical rehabilitation.  Others will foster any dog in need.  Of course, the more limited you are, the fewer dogs you can help. Your preferences may change over time.

Do I have to have a fenced yard?

No, but if you do not have a fenced yard we require that you walk your foster dog on a leash whenever he or she is outside.

How are foster homes connected to DREAM?

Each foster home has a DREAM board member that keeps in touch with them throughout the year and acts as a mentor.  The board member notifies the foster home when there is a dog in need to see if the home is able to take a dog.  This board member is also responsible for making the decisions about adoption of the foster home’s dog.

What is the process?

1.       Application.  You complete an application and email it to DREAM.

2.       Dialogue.  You ask us questions and we ask you questions. We talk about the types of foster dogs that may work well in your home, and what types will NOT work.

3.       Reference Checks.  We contact your vet and references to get their point of view on you as a potential guardian for foster dogs.

4.       Home Check.  We come to your home to confirm that it is appropriate for fostering.

5.       Decision.  If there is a good match between your home and our values, you sign a foster agreement, and we wait for the next dog in need who fits your home’s characteristics.