We are pleased you have decided to join the BDBH foster program. If you have any questions please do
not hesitate to contact anyone on the contact list
QUESTIONS: (who to contact) in non emergencies please contact by email
Director :
Darcy Drons – darcydrons@gmail.com (585) 690-3525
INTAKE: Responsible for Accepting New Dogs into BDBH Rescue
Allie Belanger – abelanger3728@gmail.com
Darcy Drons – darcydrons@gmail.com (585) 690-3525
Leslie German – pickadilee@aol.com (585) 755-8717
SHELTER LIAISON: Responsible in contacting shelters for information and temperament on potential dogs coming into the program
Darcy Drons – darcydrons@gmail.com (585) 690-3525
VETTING COORDINATOR: Responsible for Approving Medicals on Foster Dogs. Allie should be contacted for Medical Approval for Vetting your Foster Dog and any concerns you have Medically with your Foster
Allie Belanger – abelanger3728@gmail.com
In emergencies please contact Darcy Drons: (585) 690-3525
Leslie German – (585) 755-8717Rose Radlich - (716) 626-7295Behavioral Coordinator - Responsible for assisting foster homes with any behavioral issues
Leslie German - pickadilee@aol.com (585)755 - 8717
FOSTER COORDINATOR: Responsible for foster homes and finding foster homes for incoming dogs. For general questions concerning fostering
Rose Radlich - explorer53160@msn.com (716) 626-7295
APPLICATION/ADOPTION COORDINATORS: Processing of Applications, Reference and Vet Checks
Jamie Martin - jmartin2377@aol.com
Kristin Olejarczyk - kristino4485@yahoo.com (585) 943-1824
HOME INSPECTION COORDINATOR: Responsible for coordinating home visits for potential adoptive homes and sending out home visit reports
Danielle Crawford - luvmyshepherds@verizon.net
TRANSPORT COORDINATOR: Responsible for Arranging Transports of Dogs entering the BDBH Program
Julie Godwin - julie.godwin@gmail.com (585) 690-6061
BDBH WEBSITE: Responsible for Posting Picture(s) and Write-up for Incoming and Current Foster Dogs to The BDBH Website submitted by the Foster Home
Leslie German - pickadilee@aol.com
PETFINDER WEBSITE: Responsible for Posting Picture(s) and Write-up for Incoming and Current Foster Dogs to the Petfinder BDBH Website submitted by the Foster Home
Kristin Lechner - klechner@forbeshomes.com
DONATIONS COORDINATOR:
Katie Rodas - princeton8@aol.com
DAILY ACCOUNTANT:
Darcy Drons - – darcydrons@gmail.com (585) 690-3525
FINANCIAL DIRECTOR:
Michael Holvey, Jr. – mcholvey@gmail.com (585) 880-8637
darcydrons@gmail.com Darcy Drons – (585) 690-3525
When you get a new foster please check over your new dogs medical paperwork
All medical paperwork needs to be sent to Allie at BDBHvettting@gmail.com
- check that they are up to date on vaccines (rabies, distemper, bordatella)
- check if they are spayed/neutered
- check if they are mircochipped
- check to see if they are on heartworm/flea preventative
If your new foster is in need of any of the previous please contact:
Buffalo - Darcy - darcydrons@gmail.com Rose - explorer53160@msn.com
Rochester - Allie - abelanger3728@gmail.com
Leslie - pickadilee@aol.com
Website Information: How To Guide to get your Foster Dog on the BDBH and Petfinder Website:
- Please email write-ups and pictures to Leslie - pickadilee@aol.com and Kristin - klechner@forbeshomes.com
with the Subject Line being - Dogs name, website update
- Make sure to put your dogs age/breed/sex is in the writeup. Include everything you know about your foster dog...
temperment, personality, the dogs likes and dislikes. Potential Adopters depend on your assessment of your foster dog.
Be honest...a proper placement in a Forever Home depends on a good match, both for your foster dog and an adoptive family
- Please spellcheck
- Send as many pictures as you like
Please : resize your photographs to approximately 800x600
name your dogs photo with their name and number 1,2 (ex. dodger1, dodger2)
- On the bottom of each bio include: If you are interested in (dogs name) please contact (your email)
- Neutered/Spayed: Yes or Will be prior to adoption
- Up to Date on Vaccines: yes or Will be prior to adoption
- Heartworm test Results: Negative, Positive undergoing treatment
- Heartworm Preventative: Yes
- Flea/tick Preventative: Yes
- Microchipped: Yes or Will be prior to adoption
- Housebroken: Yes or Work in progress
- Crate trained: Yes or Work in progress
-Website updating: you may update your fosters writeup if information changes
- please let us know when your foster has a definite home so that we may change to adoption pending
- please let us know when your foster has gone to their forever home so that we may change to adopted
Behavioral Tips
Nothing In Life is Free - This program will help you to maintain order, reduce conflict and promote cooperation among pack members
Fearful dog - Typical behaviors of a fearful dog and how to help them overcome their fears
Leash aggression and Barrier Frustration - Article 1
Separation Anxiety - Behavior Modification
Dog Sleeping in Bed - Article 1
Medical Information
Foster checklist (help keep track of what your foster may need, and what every foster should have on hand)
Parasites and Worms
When dogs ingest something they shouldn't, inducing vomiting might not be a good idea, and may do more damage than harm. A call to poison control hotline, vet, or the emergency clinic should ALWAYS precede inducing vomiting. http://www.dog-first-aid-101.com/induce-vomiting.html
ASPCA Poison Control Center with a phone number you can call if the pet has ingested something –http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/
OUR EXPECTATIONS AS A NEW FOSTER PARENT
1. Plan to keep the Foster Dog Indefinitely
We cannot guarantee how long you will be asked to foster a dog. Sometimes dogs are adopted In weeks, sometimes it takes many, many months. Adult Foster Dogs need to be with us for a minimum of 3 weeks for their Evaluation Period, puppies (6 months and under) need to be with us for a minimum of 2 weeks. During this Evaluation Period, we get to know our foster, their personality, temperament, likes and dislikes. Foster parents should not enter into fostering with an expectation that a dog will be adopted within a certain period of time. The length of time that it takes a foster dog to be adopted is often directly related to the amount of energy a foster parent puts into training the dog, publicizing the dog and attending events that promote the adoption of the dog.
We cannot guarantee how long you will be asked to foster a dog. Sometimes dogs are adopted In weeks, sometimes it takes many, many months. Adult Foster Dogs need to be with us for a minimum of 3 weeks for their Evaluation Period, puppies (6 months and under) need to be with us for a minimum of 2 weeks. During this Evaluation Period, we get to know our foster, their personality, temperament, likes and dislikes. Foster parents should not enter into fostering with an expectation that a dog will be adopted within a certain period of time. The length of time that it takes a foster dog to be adopted is often directly related to the amount of energy a foster parent puts into training the dog, publicizing the dog and attending events that promote the adoption of the dog.
2. Provide a Good Home for the Dog
Foster homes are expected to provide a safe, comfortable, and healthy environment for their foster dog. Our foster dogs must be indoor dogs, they should be given healthy food, provided adequate water and be socialized and exercised in such a way to create a positive, well tempered dog.
Foster homes are expected to provide a safe, comfortable, and healthy environment for their foster dog. Our foster dogs must be indoor dogs, they should be given healthy food, provided adequate water and be socialized and exercised in such a way to create a positive, well tempered dog.
3. Work With Us for Medical Treatment
Big Dogs, Big Hearts Rescue (BDBH) will pay for the medical care of the dog during the time it is being fostered, to include routine check-ups, vaccinations, spay/neuter, fecal, heartworm testing, microchip, and emergencies as they may arise. In order to control our expenses, BDBH works with certain veterinarians that provide the vetting for our fosters. Any and All vetting must be approved by Allie Belanger abelanger3728@gmail.com and Darcy Drons darcydrons@gmail.com When your new foster arrives, please take time to go over their medical paperwork. Make sure they are current on their vaccinations, Rabies and DHPP, check to see if they have been heartworm tested, fecal run, spayed or neutered.
Big Dogs, Big Hearts Rescue (BDBH) will pay for the medical care of the dog during the time it is being fostered, to include routine check-ups, vaccinations, spay/neuter, fecal, heartworm testing, microchip, and emergencies as they may arise. In order to control our expenses, BDBH works with certain veterinarians that provide the vetting for our fosters. Any and All vetting must be approved by Allie Belanger abelanger3728@gmail.com and Darcy Drons darcydrons@gmail.com When your new foster arrives, please take time to go over their medical paperwork. Make sure they are current on their vaccinations, Rabies and DHPP, check to see if they have been heartworm tested, fecal run, spayed or neutered.
4. Treat the Dog as if it were your own
The foster parent is expected to be able to handle the routine care and situations without having to involve BDBH personnel. You should exercise and care for the dog as if he/she was your own. Proper nutrition, exercise and socialization of your foster dog is as important as with your own personal dogs. Expose your foster dog to other dogs, cats if possible so you get to know their reactions.
The foster parent is expected to be able to handle the routine care and situations without having to involve BDBH personnel. You should exercise and care for the dog as if he/she was your own. Proper nutrition, exercise and socialization of your foster dog is as important as with your own personal dogs. Expose your foster dog to other dogs, cats if possible so you get to know their reactions.
5. Participate in Adoption Events
Weekly attendance at Saturday Meet and Greets is a GREAT way for you to socialize your foster and getting them out in the Public Viewing. BDBH also has “Special Events” which again, gets your foster out into the public. We rely on Foster Parents to participate at some of these events. Also providing accurate information about their foster, including photos for the websites. This will promote the adoption of your foster dog.
Weekly attendance at Saturday Meet and Greets is a GREAT way for you to socialize your foster and getting them out in the Public Viewing. BDBH also has “Special Events” which again, gets your foster out into the public. We rely on Foster Parents to participate at some of these events. Also providing accurate information about their foster, including photos for the websites. This will promote the adoption of your foster dog.
6. Truly Get to Know Your Foster
It is vital for the adoption process, for you to know as much as possible about your foster. This provides for a good foundation in finding your foster dog a Forever Home. It is important to watch for, even the littlest of things…..how are they on leash/walks, how are they with food – humans and other dogs, how does your foster act around children, around other dogs, cats. Do they have a high prey drive. What is their energy level. How do they behave in their crate. All these things are important in determining if your dog is a good match for a potential adopter interested in your foster.
We want to make the transition for your foster dog a GOOD one, to ensure the adoption is in the best interest of the foster dog and their new adoptive Forever Family
It is vital for the adoption process, for you to know as much as possible about your foster. This provides for a good foundation in finding your foster dog a Forever Home. It is important to watch for, even the littlest of things…..how are they on leash/walks, how are they with food – humans and other dogs, how does your foster act around children, around other dogs, cats. Do they have a high prey drive. What is their energy level. How do they behave in their crate. All these things are important in determining if your dog is a good match for a potential adopter interested in your foster.
We want to make the transition for your foster dog a GOOD one, to ensure the adoption is in the best interest of the foster dog and their new adoptive Forever Family
7. Participate in the Adoption Process
BDBH Rescue regularly receives applications on dogs in our foster homes and we have a centralized process whereby the applicants are screened. If an applicant is interested in a dog and has passed the initial screening (application and home visit), then the foster parent is expected to be in contact with the applicant to discuss their foster dog, provide details on their foster and other information to help make a suitable adoption. Any family interested in your foster MUST come to meet him/her. If they have other dogs, they will need to bring their dog to meet your foster. Once a family has meet your foster dog and both they and you feel it is a good match, the adoptive home should, if local, take a day to consider the commitment they are making. We, as foster homes and rescue, have invested much into this dog and they deserve to have this move, their last. Most of these dogs have been through so much in their lives, we just want to ensure, to the best of our abilities that this time is Forever.
BDBH Rescue regularly receives applications on dogs in our foster homes and we have a centralized process whereby the applicants are screened. If an applicant is interested in a dog and has passed the initial screening (application and home visit), then the foster parent is expected to be in contact with the applicant to discuss their foster dog, provide details on their foster and other information to help make a suitable adoption. Any family interested in your foster MUST come to meet him/her. If they have other dogs, they will need to bring their dog to meet your foster. Once a family has meet your foster dog and both they and you feel it is a good match, the adoptive home should, if local, take a day to consider the commitment they are making. We, as foster homes and rescue, have invested much into this dog and they deserve to have this move, their last. Most of these dogs have been through so much in their lives, we just want to ensure, to the best of our abilities that this time is Forever.
8. Keep BDBH Rescue Updated on your Foster Dog(s)
Foster parents are expected to provide updates on the status and progress of your foster dog. Please check with Jamie, our application coordinator and Danielle, our home visit coordinator to ensure the status of the application of a potential adopter. Also, let Rose know if your foster is adopting out soon as this helps BDBH to “regulate” intake and commitments to saving other dogs.
Foster parents are expected to provide updates on the status and progress of your foster dog. Please check with Jamie, our application coordinator and Danielle, our home visit coordinator to ensure the status of the application of a potential adopter. Also, let Rose know if your foster is adopting out soon as this helps BDBH to “regulate” intake and commitments to saving other dogs.
9. NEVER Hand Over/Adopt out your Foster Without Consent
Foster Parents should Never turn over their foster dog to a potential applicant without prior consent of BDBH. Please email Darcy Drons, Jamie Martin, and Rose Radlich to make sure the potential adopter is APPROVED and there are no concerns with the applicant that you need to be aware of for a good match (ex. No fence, dominant other dog, etc.)
Foster Parents should Never turn over their foster dog to a potential applicant without prior consent of BDBH. Please email Darcy Drons, Jamie Martin, and Rose Radlich to make sure the potential adopter is APPROVED and there are no concerns with the applicant that you need to be aware of for a good match (ex. No fence, dominant other dog, etc.)
10. Do Not Let Your Foster Dog Run Loose
Foster Parents should Never Allow their foster dog off leash, outside of a fenced yard/area to ensure the safety of your foster.
Foster Parents should Never Allow their foster dog off leash, outside of a fenced yard/area to ensure the safety of your foster.
What Benefits Does a Foster Parent Get ?
Well, hopefully you are not looking into fostering for any benefit other than the personal satisfaction of helping an animal in need. That is the main benefit you will get from being a foster parent and that is why our foster dogs are so special. By being a foster parent, and by spending time with your dog, you know that you are directly helping to save the life of that dog. Every foster home equals a dog that probably otherwise would not have been rescued. As Big Dogs, Big Hearts Rescue pulls mainly from high shelters, each foster home brings a chance for that dog to avoid that inevitable outcome and preparing that dog for a life long home and a good family. For our foster parents, that is worth more than money or other incentives. Dogs seem to somehow know when they have been saved that they have been given a second chance at life. The look on your foster dogs face, when you have taken them for shelter life, given them a bath, good food and most importantly LOVE, is PRICELESS……
It is bitter sweet, when they “leave” you to begin their Forever Life with a family that truly loves them,
Reinforces the Reasons we do what we do and allows us to move onto that next, poor soul waiting in the shelter for that same chance.
It is bitter sweet, when they “leave” you to begin their Forever Life with a family that truly loves them,
Reinforces the Reasons we do what we do and allows us to move onto that next, poor soul waiting in the shelter for that same chance.
Adapted from: Ring Dog Rescue
FOSTER HOMES
Foster Homes are the most important part of rescue. Without these very kind foster homes we would not be able to help dogs in need. We are looking for special loving homes that will be able to provide an understanding and safe foster home for a Rescue Dog that has often had some unpleasant experiences in their past such as neglect, abuse and/or abandonment. Foster homes need to be able to care for and help these dogs become socialized and members of a family. Fostering is a serious undertaking and Big Dogs, Big Hearts Rescue very carefully screens foster applications to ensure that they would provide a safe haven for our rescued dogs. Commitment and Patience is a necessity.
DO’S AND DONT'S WITH YOUR FOSTER
DO:
1. Do research on the breed that you are fostering……know what to expect !
2. Do introduce your foster to your other dogs, cats and family member SLOWLY
3. Do always crate your foster when he/she can’t be supervised
4. Do look over all of your new fosters’ medical paperwork
a.Check to see if they are Up To Date (UTD) on all vaccinations
b.Check to see that they are spayed or neutered
c.Check to see if they are microchipped
d.Check to see if they have been Heartworm Tested and if negative on heartworm preventative. If your foster is not UTD or in need of any of the above listed procedures, please email our Vetting Coordinator Allie
5. Do make sure that your new foster has a proper fitting collar and proper ID tag. BDBH provides ID tags for our fosters
6. Do keep your foster on a leash until you are completely comfortable about the interactions with your current pets and children
7. Do feed your foster away from other pets until the foster has adjusted. Then you should test for food aggression or resource guarding
8. Do exercise your foster
9. Do keep your fosters’ diet as consistent as possible and make any changes gradually
10. Do give your foster plenty of love and attention
11. DO ASK QUESTIONS! No question is too silly
2. Do introduce your foster to your other dogs, cats and family member SLOWLY
3. Do always crate your foster when he/she can’t be supervised
4. Do look over all of your new fosters’ medical paperwork
a.Check to see if they are Up To Date (UTD) on all vaccinations
b.Check to see that they are spayed or neutered
c.Check to see if they are microchipped
d.Check to see if they have been Heartworm Tested and if negative on heartworm preventative. If your foster is not UTD or in need of any of the above listed procedures, please email our Vetting Coordinator Allie
5. Do make sure that your new foster has a proper fitting collar and proper ID tag. BDBH provides ID tags for our fosters
6. Do keep your foster on a leash until you are completely comfortable about the interactions with your current pets and children
7. Do feed your foster away from other pets until the foster has adjusted. Then you should test for food aggression or resource guarding
8. Do exercise your foster
9. Do keep your fosters’ diet as consistent as possible and make any changes gradually
10. Do give your foster plenty of love and attention
11. DO ASK QUESTIONS! No question is too silly
DON’TS:
1. Don’t introduce your foster to everyone as soon as you get home. Transport Stress, shelter Stress and changes these dogs can cause way too much stress on your new foster. Also, keeping them separate from you personal pets allows you to monitor any communicable diseases…kennel cough, mange, etc.
2. Don’t push your new foster into anything that they don’t seem comfortable with (i.e. don’t push them down the stairs, or through a door….many of our fosters have never experienced what it is like to be in a home and may be nervous about the new experiences…patience
3. Don’t take your new foster all over the place until you truly know their temperament
4. Don’t ignore your other pets. In order to avoid jealousy, they should be receiving more attention now than ever before
5. Don’t expect love at first sight if you already have pets at home. Love and respect take time to develop
6. Don’t have food “freely” available to your new foster. Feed your new foster on a schedule, but always provide access to fresh water.
7. Don’t expect your new foster to train himself. What you put into your foster is what you will get out. Dogs need rules to follow and consistency at all times. We have several trainers that are very welcome to having foster parents attend obedience classes, if you are interested please ask Leslie pickadilee@aol.com
2. Don’t push your new foster into anything that they don’t seem comfortable with (i.e. don’t push them down the stairs, or through a door….many of our fosters have never experienced what it is like to be in a home and may be nervous about the new experiences…patience
3. Don’t take your new foster all over the place until you truly know their temperament
4. Don’t ignore your other pets. In order to avoid jealousy, they should be receiving more attention now than ever before
5. Don’t expect love at first sight if you already have pets at home. Love and respect take time to develop
6. Don’t have food “freely” available to your new foster. Feed your new foster on a schedule, but always provide access to fresh water.
7. Don’t expect your new foster to train himself. What you put into your foster is what you will get out. Dogs need rules to follow and consistency at all times. We have several trainers that are very welcome to having foster parents attend obedience classes, if you are interested please ask Leslie pickadilee@aol.com
