I volunteer at an animal shelter near my home in Columbus. I have asked about fostering dogs or cats and my co-workers have told me I cannot foster any animals because I have a dog of my own! They say the foster animal and my pet has to be seperated at all times.
My collie mix, Maddie is very socilized and sweet. Why would I need her seperated? I thought this was only true if the foster animal has a contagious disease? How can I foster animals in need without disregarding my own dog??

Hmm...I guess I can understand why they wouldn't want you to have other dogs with a foster animal, but I can also see positive things about having other dogs with foster animals. So I guess it just would depend on what approach they're taking. As far as I know you can foster dogs through a breed rescue while having dogs of your own. Maybe you could try that? I'm sure the breed rescue volunteers would greatly appreciate the extra help.

Hello Rachelslove. The fact that you have any pets should not be a problem when it comes to fostering. As long as your dog(s) is well balanced and non-aggressive in any way. It is actually better for a rescued dog to interact with other dogs and pets. Also, it helps if your dog is fixed.

Hey Ranchelsolve that is a problem I think that they dont want you to have another dog or cat in your house with your dog(s) because mabe your dog or the foster dog or cat may have a seceret sickness or something like that.

Rachel, I think it's fantastic that you want to foster a dog from your local animal shelter and it's crazy that you've heard you can't foster because you have a dog of your own. It's generally beneficial for the dog to have another dog in the foster home. It's difficult to find foster homes as it is, and it wouldn't make sense to limit fostering to people without animals. People with animals know how to care for them. Have you tried talking to the shelter manager? If they say the same thing, maybe you can find information about fostering from a national group like the Humane Society of the United States and share that info with them. The shelter manager can watch any Animal Precinct show and see that people who foster animals often have their own. Of course, your current and foster dog should both be up to date with vaccinations and the foster dog should be examined by a vet to make sure he/she doesn't have any contagious diseases. You could also bring your dog to the shelter before fostering a dog to make sure they get along. If you shelter still doesn't allow you to foster, I'm sure there are other area shelters or rescue group that would love to take you up on your generous offer of fostering! Don't give up!

rachel, although you may know that your dog is friendly, the foster people may not, also, perhaps the dog you want to take into your home, reacts aggressively to other animals, a result of being secluded from otheer dogs, being entered into dogfights, or sometimes, it is simply the way they were brought up.

I agree with the other comments...

Just because you have a dog already should not cause a problem with you fostering. I have 3 cats of my own, who just happen to be FIV+, I have 8 foster cats, only 2 are FIV+. Currently on the main floor of my house are my three, one FIV+, and 2 FIV- cats. As long as there are not any fights, there are no problems. I watch my cats closely when they are out, so that we all stay safe

Hello Im a new member looking to chat & share info about fostering cats & kittens. My first question is Does an URI almost always indicate something more serious, such as fatal immune diseases or viral conditions that the cat will have for the rest of his/her life. (with recurrent infections). I guess can a cat have just a cold & never be sick again? ive been fostering over 6 months,, & last year lost my own adopted homeless cat to FIP,, it was Horrible! So URI's Scare mE!