Fostering Saves Lives!

Every time a dog enters a foster home, it opens space for rescuers to save another dog from a kill shelter. Fostering truly saves lives. We work hard to ensure each foster dog fits your lifestyle and is compatible with your family and pets so the experience is positive for everyone.

You can choose to foster dogs coming directly from shelters or those that have completed a quarantine period and been evaluated by an experienced foster. Time spent in a foster home helps each dog adjust, learn routines, and prepare for their forever family. While the dog is in your care, your feedback helps us understand their personality, needs, and quirks so we can find the perfect adoptive home.

online Foster Application

What to Expect as a Foster

Foster care is the heart of rescue work. Every foster home saves lives. Many of the dogs who come to us are pulled from overcrowded shelters where the time limit before euthanasia can be as short as three days. By opening your home, you give a dog the chance to heal, decompress, and prepare for adoption. Fostering can be short term, lasting a few days to weeks, or long term, lasting several weeks or months. Ideally, each dog remains in the same foster home until adoption for consistency and stability.

Preparing for a Foster Dog

Before fostering, make sure your own pets are current on vaccinations. Have an open conversation with your GPRM representative about the dog’s background and behavior. If there are any known issues such as food aggression or chasing cats, they must be disclosed so you can make an informed decision. Discuss how long the dog may be staying with you; we typically prefer a minimum commitment of two weeks.

Keep in mind that even with full disclosure, dogs can behave differently in a new environment. Be prepared for some adjustment behaviors such as barking, marking, or restlessness. Ask whether the dog is crate trained and, if possible, have an extra crate available for safety and structure.

Arrival and Introductions

Introduce your foster dog to your resident pets slowly and carefully. Begin in a neutral location, such as a park or quiet street, and take a short walk together before heading home. Allow the dogs to observe one another through a baby gate or from separate rooms so they can adjust gradually. Keep leashes on if needed until you feel confident about their interactions.

When your foster arrives, review the veterinary records and ask questions about any previous care. Observe closely over the first few days for signs of worms, illness, or other issues. Gentle grooming after a couple of days can help you assess how the dog tolerates handling and builds trust.

If veterinary care or reimbursable costs are needed, you must have prior approval from your GPRM representative unless it is an emergency. Heartworm and flea preventatives can be provided at low cost, so please ask before purchasing them on your own.

In the Home

Feed your dogs and your foster in separate spaces with their own food and water bowls placed several feet apart. Pick up bowls when they finish eating to avoid food-related tension. Avoid giving treats when dogs are close to one another and remove bones or toys that could cause possessiveness.

Supervise all interactions until you are confident they get along. Keep play calm and positive. Small disagreements can happen, but as the human leader, you can redirect and manage energy levels. If a fight occurs, do not grab collars or heads. Use a firm voice, a broom to separate, or a spray bottle with water to safely interrupt.

When It’s Time to Move On

Fosters are not responsible for placing the dog, but your feedback is critical in helping us find the right home. Share what you learn about the dog’s personality, habits, and preferences. You may be asked to meet potential adopters or allow a visit in your home. Remember, adopters are gaining a lifelong companion, not doing the rescue a favor. It is an honor to welcome a Pyr into one’s life.

Saying goodbye is often bittersweet. You will have given your foster love, safety, and a path to a forever home. That goodbye makes room for the next life to be saved.

Your Responsibilities as a Foster

Provide food, care, and affection. If you have basic training experience, any skills you can teach your foster are deeply appreciated. Communicate regularly with your GPRM representative, share photos and updates for the dog’s online bio, and help potential adopters learn about your foster’s personality.

How Foster Matching Works

We carefully match fosters and dogs based on temperament, home environment, and experience. Factors such as other pets, children, fencing, and lifestyle are all considered to create the best possible fit.

Where Our Dogs Come From

Most of our dogs come from Montana, Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. Your GPRM representative will share all known details about your foster’s background and transport plans.

Some dogs come directly from shelters and may need a short quarantine period. All dogs are examined by a veterinarian before or shortly after arriving in your care. Many are transported by volunteer drivers, so travel arrangements can vary.

Additional Information

Feed your foster the same food they are used to, if possible, and transition slowly to avoid stomach upset. Most dogs arrive already spayed or neutered, but if you foster puppies, you may need to coordinate their surgery and recovery with GPRM’s guidance.

Crates are optional but recommended for safety and structure. Extra large crates can be expensive, so used options on local marketplaces are a great resource. If you need help obtaining one, let us know.

You may use your own veterinarian only with prior authorization, except in emergencies. We encourage fosters to seek low-cost rescue-friendly clinics when possible. All non-emergency veterinary visits and medication purchases require approval.

Items you purchase for your foster, such as food or supplies, may be tax-deductible as charitable contributions. For expenses over $250, a receipt from GPRM can be provided in accordance with IRS guidelines.

The Adoption Process

Once an adopter applies, GPRM reviews the application, completes a vet check, and may ask you to speak with the applicant. If a meeting is arranged, it can take place at a convenient location. After a home visit and final approval, GPRM coordinates the transfer of the dog to their new family.

If you need to travel while fostering, please let your GPRM representative know as early as possible so alternate arrangements can be made.

Fostering Saves Lives

Every foster family makes a direct impact. You are the bridge between rescue and forever home. Your kindness, patience, and commitment make second chances possible for Great Pyrenees in need.

Online Foster Application