How long does fostering last?
Fostering typically lasts 2 to 4 weeks, as most pugs are adopted within that timeframe. However, some adoptions happen faster, while others may take longer. Unlike some rescues, we prioritize finding suitable foster placements before bringing pugs into care. This approach ensures that pugs stay in one home until adoption, minimizing the stress caused by unnecessary moves.
If a foster placement isn’t working out, we’ll transfer the pug to another home. But we’ve found that taking our time to match fosters leads to better outcomes for everyone involved.
Do I get to foster whatever animal I want?
We do our best to honor foster preferences, but careful placement is crucial for the dog’s success. Just as we match pugs with adopters, we consider your lifestyle, schedule, and experience to pair you with a pug whose needs align with your abilities. A mismatched placement can cause stress for both you and the pug, so we aim to set everyone up for success.
How does transportation work?
We encourage fosters to handle transportation for veterinary appointments and adoption meet-and-greets whenever possible. However, if you’re unable to do so, we have transport volunteers who can assist. Fosters are asked to take the lead in arranging transport when needed.
What if I can’t keep my foster pug?
If you’re unable to continue fostering, we’ll place your foster pug in a new home. Ideally, we ask for at least 48 hours’ notice, but we understand emergencies happen and will work with you to ensure the pug’s care. For planned absences, like vacations, please let us know as early as possible..
What supplies do I need?
Evergreen Pug Rescue is happy to provide nearly everything you need, including a leash, harness, pet bed, crate (if requested), toys, and grooming supplies. Many fosters choose to buy food for convenience, but we’re happy to provide it if needed. Any supplies you purchase can be considered tax-deductible donations. If you need supplies, just reach out to your Foster Coordinator.
Every dog that is adopted through Evergreen Pug Rescue should go to their adoptive home with a well-fitting harness and leash. If they have a pet bed that’s comfortable to them or toys, we’d like to send those items with them too. Whatever will help them fill comfortable should go with them.
How does the medical stuff work to get my foster pug medically cleared for adoption?
Your Foster Coordinator will be in touch with you ever step of the way to answer any questions you might have that come up as soon as you get your foster pug. The Medical Director will guide you through the medical process, reviewing the pug’s records and coordinating/scheduling necessary veterinary appointments. You’ll be informed of any required treatments or vaccinations as we move forward.
What kinds of challenges can I expect to face while fostering?
All kinds! Or maybe very few, who's to say? Fostering a pug is very rewarding and can also be at times difficult, frustrating, confusing, heartbreaking... There are lots of variables, so your experience as a foster parent will depend on your history and past encounters with pugs, your lifestyle, and your personality type. It will also depend on the pug you're fostering — each is an individual and completely different from the next. One pug might bounce into your home footloose and fancy free and have few accidents while the next could be quite shy at first and require potty training, for example. Almost all animals in new environments exhibit signs of stress at first, so no matter what, it's very important that you be patient and understand with things like accidents, skittishness, pacing, restless nights, and so on for at least the first few days. New pugs brought in for fostering are frequently stressed and require more love and attention than most pugs. Once the stress is over (normally two days to a week) they are appreciative of their new life and foster parents. Pugs are extremely resilient
How will my own dogs react?
Reactions vary. Some pets welcome a new friend immediately, while others may need time to adjust or show signs of jealousy. Monitoring initial interactions and giving everyone space can help ease the transition.
Is my foster pug up to date on vaccines?
When you get your foster pug, it could be completely vaccinated, overdue for some vaccines, or even completely unvaccinated. Our Medical Director will be in touch and let you know all of this as soon as they understand what the records say. All of the pugs in our care are will be up to date with rabies, DHPP, and bordatella before adoption. (Puppies will be adopted out at whatever point in the series so that’s a slightly different process)
What are the vaccine requirements for my own dog?
As we’d hate for anything to happen, we kindly request that all dogs/animals in the home be kept current on vaccines and on flea prevention. Evergreen Pug Rescue commits to always being 100% transparent with known conditions of foster dogs but we cannot share what isn’t known and we’d hate
Can fosters adopt their foster pug?
Absolutely! This is known as “foster failing,” but we prefer to think of it as getting it right from the start. If you’re considering adopting your foster pug, please let us know as soon as possible so we can adjust our marketing efforts accordingly.
Can I foster with the intention of adopting?
Yep! Just let us know in advance. It won’t change how we care for the dog, we promise, but it just helps us manage expectations on the adoption team.
Am I expected to pay for veterinary care for my foster pet?
Nope. We cover veterinary expenses as long as you go through us for ALL veterinary issues. If you take your foster animal to a vet without our permission, it is your financial responsibility. If you have concerns for symptoms like coughing or sneezing etc., please reach out to the Medical Director or your Foster Coordinator. We’ll let you know what to do and/or hook you up with vet care.
What do I do in the case of a veterinary emergency?
In the case of a true veterinary emergency, please contact us at 425-419-6925. You must reach one of us and get approval before taking your foster pug to a veterinary facility, so please leave a voice message and/or text if you can't reach us right away by phone. We will only cover the cost of an emergency visit if approved in advance and we consider the condition a true veterinary emergency, which we define as a condition that is immediately life threatening to the animal. Conditions that fall into this category may include unconsciousness, severe bleeding, obvious bone fractures or breaks, severe difficulty breathing (which can be hard to judge with pugs). We DO NOT consider the following issues emergencies: limping, minor wounds (where bleeding can be controlled), minimal blood in the urine or feces, ear or eye infection, abscesses, diarrhea, irritated spay/neuter incision site, etc.
How do potential adopters find out about my foster pet?
All of our adoptable pets are listed on multiple pet search websites, our own website, and social media. The more we all share, the better!
DEAR FOSTER MOM:
There I sat, alone and afraid,
You got a call and came right to my aid.
You bundled me up with blankets and love,
And, when I needed it most, you gave me a hug.
I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold,
That sometimes there is someone to have and to hold.
You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend,
You loved me and healed me and became my first friend.
And just when I thought you'd done all you do,
There came along not one new lesson, but two.
First you said, "Sweetheart, you're ready to go,
I've done all I can, and you've learned all I know."
Then you bundled me up with a blanket and kiss,
Along came a new family, they even have kids!
They took me to their home, forever to stay,
At first I thought you sent me away.
Then that second lesson became perfectly clear,
No matter how far, you will always be near.
And so, Foster Mom, you know I've moved on,
I have a new home, with toys and a lawn.
But I'll never forget what I learned that first day,
You never really give your fosters away.
You gave me these thoughts to remember you by,
We may never meet again, and now I know why.
You'll remember I lived with you for a time,
I may not be yours, but you'll always be mine.
