k9 connection Building young lives, one dog at a time
A project of OPCC
 
 
 
 
 
 
Save A Life - Be A Foster!
 
Before Foster Care
While In Foster Care
k9 connection is always in need of qualified foster homes for the shelter dogs that have graduated from the k9 program, but have not been adopted. These dogs eventually run out of time at the shelter. k9 connection needs temporary homes to keep these canine graduates while our volunteer staff continue to show them at adoption events, network for their adoption and transport them to school if they are able to participate in a program. k9 connection pays all medical expenses and provides all necessary supplies. k9 connection dogs are all temperament tested, spayed / neutered and have all their shots. They have learned basic obedience at the k9 connection program. Providing a foster home is one of the most rewarding volunteer jobs in animal welfare. You are saving a life and restoring a dog’s dignity by providing a half way house so the dog relearns house manners and can recover from being incarcerated. Please click here for more information and an application. Volunteer Foster_files/k9%20foster%20app09-1.docshapeimage_6_link_0
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“To foster a dog is to rescue it from a shelter cage and potential euthanasia, and temporarily provide it with a home environment, socialization and love until someone adopts it and provides a forever home. In addition to having two dogs and one cat ourselves, over the last year we have fostered 8 different dogs for anywhere from 4 days up to 2 months.
 
Friends ask us how we can bear to part with a foster dog; aren't we tempted to keep it, etc.  The answer is that we find happiness in the realization that we can save many more homeless dogs by fostering them than if we decided to add one more permanent furry one to our existing pack and then foster no more.  
 
Plus we are very involved in the screening process of potential adopters so that, when the right one is finally approved, we are confident that our foster dog is going to a responsible and caring family, and will never again be abandoned to  the streets of Los Angeles.  On the day that a foster dog leaves our care with his forever family, we take a picture of them together.  It is truly a "happy ever after," fulfilling moment that makes fostering so very worthwhile.”  
 
                                                                                Carol
k9 connection © 2007 All Rights Reserved.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FOSTERING WHERE ARE THE DOGS FROM, DO THEY HAVE THEIR SHOTS? The dogs that k9 connection needs to have fostered live at Animal Services and are all graduates of k9 connection basic training programs. They have been temperament tested, have all their shots and are healthy. When their time is up at the shelter, k9 connection adopts them out to foster care to keep them from euthanasia. DO I GET PAID? Fostering a dog is a volunteer activity. k9 will supply the dog with a collar, tag, leash and bed. You will be re-reimbursed for food and medical care. Our trainers will be available to you for behavior advice. WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO? The objective of foster care is to help the dog adjust to home living again and to work with k9 connection to get the dog adopted. The dog will know a few commands, but will not be completely trained upon entering foster care. You will be provided with an ‘Adoption Vest’ that fits the dog, so that when you take it out, people will know it is available. The foster guardian needs to actively help get the dog known to as many people as possible and to spread the word on the dog’s availability. The foster guardian is in a unique position to be able to speak about the dog’s personality. k9 connection will take the dog to local adoption events, handle Internet advertising, promotion of the dog, posters, flyers and email blasts to our mailing list. HOW LONG WILL I HAVE THE DOG? The length of time a dog is in foster care will vary. Our experience has been from as little as a month, to six months or more. Fosters are expected to provide for the dog if they go out if town. If you can no longer keep a dog we will move it to another living situation. WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO BECOME A FOSTER PARENT? To become a k9 connection foster guardian, you need to fill out the application that is available on this web-page. A home inspection and interview will complete your application.