Thank you for fostering for Oregon Dog Rescue!

This page is intended to provide additional resources for every step of the fostering process.

If you have any questions or are concerned that your foster animal is experiencing an emergency, please reach out to the foster care coordinator for assistance. The resources listed below are meant as tools, but it is very important NOT to self-diagnose or treat a foster animal without the direction of Oregon Dog Rescue’s veterinary and foster care team. All decisions regarding medical, behavioral, and scheduling are to be made with the guidance of the foster coordinator.


Contact Information:

Any questions or concerns that are not an immediate emergency, please email the foster coordinator: foster@oregondogrescue.org

FAQs:

  • We provide Panacur as an additional dewormer in the event that your foster puppy has chronic diarrhea. Loose stool is to be expected over the first couple of days due to stress, food change, and initial deworming. If your foster puppy or dog is experiencing chronic diarrhea or liquid/water stool, please email to confirm Panacur as the course of treatment. Firm up can be used every meal.

  • The below charts are general guidelines for feeding. Body condition and gastric upset should be taken into account when determining feeding amounts. Please communicate with the foster coordinator if you have any questions or concerns.

    • For puppies, we ask that you feed 3 times per day. If wet food is added to each meal, then decrease the amount of kibble.

    Puppy Feeding Chart

    • Adults can be fed 2 times per day.

    Adult Feeding Chart

  • Please email the foster coordinator in the event that your foster has thrown up, has diarrhea, has started sneezing or coughing.

    • If your puppy has thrown up: please keep an eye on your foster for further vomiting. If your foster continues to vomit and you have not received a response via email within two hours, please follow emergency contact protocol so we can arrange medical treatment at the rescue if needed.

    • If your foster is having chronic diarrhea, add firm up to your foster’s meals and contact the foster coordinator to determine if Panacur should be added. It can be helpful to feed smaller bland meals (ie white rice and plain chicken breast) until diarrhea improves. If diarrhea remains significant, other medications or medical intervention may be required.

    • If your puppy has vomited multiple times and has chronic diarrhea, please send an email to your foster coordinator. If you do not receive a response within two hours, please follow emergency protocol. Medical intervention in this case is likely necessary and will take place at the rescue.

    • If your foster is sneezing, please keep an eye on them for kennel cough symptoms. We will prescribe antibiotics in the event that your foster is actively coughing or has thick/discolored discharge. Reminder: kennel cough is contagious to other dogs (not cats or humans.)

    All medical care MUST be approved by Oregon Dog Rescue. We will not cover any outside costs.

  • In case of emergency, please do not take your foster dog outside of an hour radius of the rescue.

    Foster puppies generally arrive to the rescue with little to no vaccine history or medical history. We ask that puppies not go on any walks in areas where many dogs have passed through- absolutely no dog parks, pet stores, vet clinics, etc. Your home and own yard are the only places where puppies under 12 weeks can be on the ground safely.

    Adult dogs may have a stronger vaccine history, although we ask that they never are taken to a dog park, walking in the neighborhood is okay!

    • Adult or puppy kibble (depending on the age of your foster)

    • Wet/canned food (use only if your foster will not eat plain kibble or requires additional calories. Canned food can exacerbate gastric issues if given in higher volumes)

    • Panacur & Firm up

    • Toys

    • Towels/bedding

    • Shampoo/wipes

    • Leash (if old enough for a walk)

    • Potty pads (disposable & washable)

    • Treats

    • Puppy pen as requested

  • Ideally, no! However, sometimes we will need for you to come to the rescue to pick up additional supplies or medications. Your foster puppy may also need medical care during the time that you have them. All medical care takes place at the rescue or our partner vet.

  • No! We ask that the only thing you are spending is time. Please let us know if there are specific supplies you need. You are welcome to come to the rescue anytime to pick up additional supplies should you run out.

  • We treat all dogs for fleas and ticks upon intake. Fleas and ticks should die/fall off within 24 hours after intake. If you see any live fleas or ticks, please send an email to the foster coordinator.

    Foster dogs often scratch at their neck because they are not used to wearing a collar. Please make sure you keep your foster dog’s collar on at ALL times!

  • Foster dogs should always be contained when you leave the house. Most often, this will be in a crate. Small puppies may do well being left for short periods of time in a puppy pen.

    Reminder: puppies will need to go outside to potty every 2-3 hours or they will soil their crate. Adults should also go out often, while they are learning where and when it is appropriate to go to the bathroom.

  • Occasionally, foster dogs will be nervous upon arrival in their foster home. We send canned food with foster dogs to help encourage them to eat, as needed.

  • We wish we had more information to share! Very rarely do we know prior history about your foster dog.

    The overwhelming majority of dogs that arrive are initially found as strays. We are never certain about breed or age. All of our dogs visit the vet before they are placed up for adoption where they are given an age estimate based on their teeth.

    Many of the dogs who come into our care are under socialized, so we ask that fosters move slowly with new introductions!

  • We love when foster families become forever families! If you would like to adopt, please apply via out website 24-48 hours prior to your scheduled drop off and let your foster coordinator know you plan on adopting. Our online booking system opens up 48 in advance. Once foster dogs are posted to the public (usually the day before their return) we are no longer able to hold the foster dog, although you are still welcome to apply!

    You are not required to bring in the household or other resident dogs as your foster was already with them. Just make the appointment to fill out the paperwork.


Foster Agreement Form

Foster agrees to feed the food provided, give fresh water daily and any other necessary care to maintain a clean living environment as mandated by Oregon Dog Rescue. Foster agrees to NOT LET THE DOG OFF LEASH UNLESS IN AN ENCLOSED AND SECURED AREA. Foster agrees to not take fosters to dog parks! Foster parent agrees to incorporate leash training, lots of handling, socializing and basic good manners training. The foster’s appearance may not be altered unless directed by ODR. The dog shall not be left unattended outside for any duration of time. All veterinary care or other expenditures must be authorized by Kim (text 503-348-9545) or Deb (call 503-810-1720/503-612-0111) in advance. ANY UNAUTHORIZED EXPENDITURE WILL NOT BE REIMBURSED. The dog must be returned to ODR on the date and time agreed upon and should be bathed if possible prior to return.

*Oregon Dog Rescue will not be responsible for resident dogs contracting kennel cough or any other communicable disease from an ODR Dog. Please make sure your pets are healthy, altered, and current on vaccines*

The foster agreement must be completed prior to joining the foster program and taking home your first foster! You will receive the form in your welcome email.