When should you keep a foster dog? Expert Advice

After reading all these thoughtful responses from the past two days, foster mom Emily wrote:

When should you keep a foster dog?

Three years after Emily fostered and adopted Ramona, she and her boyfriend Scott were married in New York City, and encouraged all their friends and family to donate to Foster Dogs in their honor. This rescue tale is one for the history books, and we couldnt be happier for this family!

Note: The original version of this blog post was published on our website in April 2014

Should I adopt my foster dog?

This won’t surprise anyone, but my husband Josh and I are wondering if we should adopt our foster dog Lana (Robin).

We’ve been going back and forth about it ever since she came to stay with us two weeks ago.

Here’s why: I can’t think of a better second dog for us.

If we don’t adopt Lana, it won’t be because of her. It’s because we might not be ready for two permanent dogs quite yet.

You’d think this would be an easy choice, but it’s very hard! I love Lana but I’m not sure we’re quite ready for two dogs.

I’m not looking for advice on whether or not we should adopt. It’s a decision Josh and I (and our dog Ace) need to make for ourselves.

When should you keep a foster dog?

Still, I’m curious how the rest of you decided whether or not to adopt your foster dogs or cats. Let me know in the comments.

Note that I’m definitely not one to get attached to my foster animals normally.

I’ve fostered about 14 dogs and 4 cats, and the typical text I send Josh when I find out one of them is getting adopted goes something like:

And then he responds with something like, “WOOOO!”

And then I crack open a beer to celebrate.

Of course, I love my foster animals, but most of them are very stressful.

How long do I keep the foster pet?

The length of each foster assignment will depend on the needs of the individual animal. The typical length of a foster assignment is 4 weeks. Young kittens and puppies stay in foster care until they are eight weeks old. Animals with behavioral or medical issues will stay in foster care until they are ready for adoption. During the foster period, animals may be required to come back to the shelter for medical check-ups and behavioral evaluations. In some cases, volunteers will keep the foster pets until we are able to place them up for adoption.

5 Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE Fostering a Dog