How to Foster at Dallas Animal Services

FOSTER A DALLAS ANIMAL SERVICES SHELTER DOG!

Even a week or a month will make all the difference for them:
• DECOMPRESSION from the shelter
• HOME NOTES oh so valuable for an adopter match
• VISIBILITY better photos, a more specific bio on their profile

Please note this website is not affiliated with or run by Dallas Animal Services. I am an active volunteer and foster with DAS and posting this information as a helpful assist to those interested in fostering. Fosters must be in DFW area for medical care and adoption meet & greets.

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STEPS TO FOSTER AT DALLAS ANIMAL SERVICES (2023)

1. ‍BETTERIMPACT ACCOUNT + FOSTER APPLICATION create & fill out at link
2. FOSTER AGREEMENT fill out & sign‍
3. GENERAL RELEASE fill out & sign
4. PHOTO OF YOUR ID take one! upload to your BetterImpact profile‍
5. FOSTER INQUIRY schedule a call

If Pet is Pre-Lab (urgent), also email dasfoster@dallas.gov with your intent to foster and put the animal's name and A# and "pre-lab" in email subject.

Already Registered? SAME DAY FOSTER!

1. GO TO SHELTER ENTRANCE
2. LET STAFF KNOW YOU ARE THERE FOR SAME DAY
3. BE PREPARED TO WAIT A BIT
4. WALK OUT WITH YOUR FOSTER (if they are already spayed/neutered)

Want to "baby step" into fostering? CONSIDER FOSTER SITTING!

When fosters travel, they need sitters for their fosters so there are already home notes to find a good match and exact dates of coverage needed!

1. REGISTER AS A FOSTER as above‍
2. DAS TRELLO BOARD review foster sitting needs‍
3. DAS FOSTER FB GROUP once registered, join - needs are here, too! This FACEBOOK GROUP is currently the best place to connect for foster sitting!

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Check out the FOSTER info page on the Dallas Animal Services website for FAQs and more!

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Here is MY FOSTER SET UP ROUTINE and FIVE MINUTES ABOUT FOSTERING.

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VERY IMPORTANT! 3/3/3 Rule

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Do NOT immediately allow resident pets to share space with the foster dog for 5-7 days (more if foster is recovering from an upper respiratory infection). GO SLOW for integration and acclimation success!

DAY 1: This will be hard + stressful - your home & schedule is jostled, new dog nervous

DAY 2: Easier than Day 1, Schwew!

DAY 3+ : Everyone settling in and starting to feel comfy, know new routine

DOG HOMED: Delightful & Heart Full

DO NOT LET NEW DOG AND RESIDENT DOG PLAY FOR 5-ish days. Even when I foster an already known to be dog-friendly dog and the dogs clearly want to play... I wait. WHY? This lets them get comfy with each other's smell, behavior, and personality (under my guidance and boundaries) before they get physical. DO NOT PUT RESOURCES (food, toys, treats) IN SHARED SPACE. Waiting allows for the highest rate of longer-term, copacetic (and fun!), cohabitation. <3

SUMMARY, MVP BULLET POINTS FROM THE DAS FOSTER HANDBOOK

• FIRST 72 HOURS Recommended time for separation from resident pets for health and behavior acclimation and observation purposes
• ‍ DECOMPRESSION See above 3/3/3 chart and PLEASE read this section of handbook!
• ‍HOUSING You are expected to provide secure, comfy housing; Cats and Kittens must be kept indoors; Puppies under 6mo should not go to public areas until 2 x rounds of booster vaccines‍
•  LEGAL GUARDIANSHIP All animals are property of DAS until adoption complete‍
• DOG PARKS, PUBLIC OUTINGS, LEASH ETIQUETTE Provide adequate physical and mental stimulation for foster pets; Do not allow foster dogs to run up to other animals, even on leash; A foster dog MUST ALWAYS be on a leash in public (no retractable leashes), Taking foster dogs to off-leash dog parks is NOT ALLOWED‍
• MARKETING cute, well-lit photos and an upbeat bio of specifics is your foster's best bet to appeal to adopters and find the perfect match - keep their DAS online bio updated!!

The DAS Foster handbook is FILLED with terrific information about behavior issues, what to do about medical issues, a lost foster, and a plethora of other helpful learnings. Check it out!

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RESOURCES:

DR. SOPHIA YIN Kids & Dogs Chart... TONS of other helpful info here!!

HOW TO INTEGRATE A FOSTER DOG Please click through the "Oliver" highlight on the DLB instagram profile - I documented all steps, visually! (also check out the Love Bug highlight!)

DOGFIT DALLAS FOSTER TIPS YouTube Video of Live Discussion Session

DOGFIT DALLAS EBOOKS 3 Freebies... dog basics, dog relationships, etc

DAS FOSTER INFO Dallas Animal Services Website

dasfoster@dallas.gov (please note there is a high volume of inquiries... please be patient & kind!)
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The content on this website is based on personal experience and researched information. Please note no one here is a professional vet, trainer, or behaviorist. Always consult your vet and trainer about what is best for your dog or cat and their mental & physical health!

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