FAQs

How do I become a fosterer?

Complete a fostering questionnaire which can be found here and a member of the Rehoming Team will be in touch to discuss your application. Please note that you will have to provide photographic ID and proof of address to enable your application to be processed.

How long will I be fostering for?

Fostering requirements vary from a few nights to a few months – it really depends on the dog and your personal circumstances, but this can be discussed prior to the dog moving into your home.  Ideally the minimum fostering period is two weeks as otherwise it is very disruptive to the dogs to be transferred between homes and kennels, and results in them finding it harder to initially settle in their forever home.

I live outside of Galway, can I foster?

Because of the logistics involved in transporting an animal long distances, it is not always possible to foster dogs outside of Galway.  However, in the case of long-term fostering or fostering animals with particular special needs, it may be possible.

If I have my own animals, can I foster dogs?

Absolutely!  However, it will totally depend on the temperament of your own animal(s) and how they behave with other dogs.  We will try our best to match you with a dog that can settle comfortably into your home. 

We are extremely vigilant with the health of the dogs in our care and vaccinate all of them on arrival at the kennels, however, occasionally a dog may become ill.  We do our very best to ensure that sick animals are not transferred into a foster home but, bear in mind that it is always a risk to expose your animal to other animals, whether it’s out walking, at the vet, or in other common areas. The risk of either your foster dog or your own animal becoming ill is minimal but, should the situation occur, please contact MADRA.

What supplies do I need to foster?

We ask our foster parents to provide bedding, food, exercise, basic training, socialisation, and love.  Anything else we will help you with.  MADRA pays for all vet care and medicine for the foster dog while it is in your care.

What should I feed my foster dog? 

We always recommend feeding your foster dog the best quality food that you can afford, bearing in mind that supermarket foods, while cheaper, are not always of good nutritional value.

Should I crate-train my foster dog?

It’s not essential but, it is an effective way to house train a pup or re-train an older dog.  If your own dog is already crate-trained, we suggest you do the same with your foster dog.  Some dogs just don’t like crates and most of them, even pups need to be trained to use one.  Being crate-trained can give both you and the dog a certain amount of peace of mind.  It can be a safe place for them to be calm and comfortable and it means that, if you need to leave them alone for a while, they won’t be able to do any damage to your house or themselves.

If my foster dog becomes sick, what should I do?

MADRA cover all vet bills for any dog you are fostering.  If the dog becomes sick, you must contact MADRA so that the vet visit can be pre-approved and you will be given the name of the vet closest to you that we use.  However, if it is an emergency, you should take the dog to your own vet and have them contact us directly for payment.

What if the dog is on medication?

This would be discussed with you prior to place the dog in foster with you.  If you are not comfortable dispensing medicine, we would not ask you to foster such an animal.

How much time is needed each day to foster?

This depends on the individual dog and their situation.  It is essential to understand that rescue dogs may be stressed and being moved from kennels to foster can create additional anxieties initially.  Patience will be required and the same level of commitment you would give to your own dog.  Depending on the age and nature of the dog, exercise required could be a 30 to 45 minute walk/run in the morning and afternoon with lots of playtime in between.  Older dogs may just need a shorter morning and evening relaxed stroll.

Can I walk my foster dog off-lead with my own dog(s)?

No. We have a strict requirement that no foster dogs are allowed off-lead at any time while outside.  Many of these dogs have ended up in kennels because they have run off and there are far too many unknowns for it to be safe.  Try to keep them out of situations like parks where there may be dogs running off-lead as this can create frustration and aggression.

Can I bring my foster dog on the Prom or other busy areas like this?

No. This is for similar reasons as not walking your dog off-lead.  The Prom and busy areas like town, or anywhere there are large volumes of people, can be very stressful for your foster dog (or any dog) and, for this reason we ask that you do not bring your foster dog there.  Your dog may be gentle and relaxed indoors but may react fear-aggressively when confronted with a stressful situation.

Can I adopt my foster dog?

If you feel your foster dog is the one for you, you can certainly apply to adopt him.  While he is in your care, we will still be actively looking for a forever home for him so, if you feel you’d like to adopt him, please do let us know as soon as possible as there may be other interested families.

How do I adopt my foster dog?        

Let your MADRA contact know that you are interested in adopting your foster dog and they will advise if it’s possible and what the process will be.  An adoption contract will need to be signed.

Am I responsible for finding my foster dog its forever home?

No, but we do value your help. Your assessment of the dog and its personality will help us with matching him to the right home and once we’ve done this, you may be asked to schedule a meet-and-greet with your foster dog and the potential adopter.  To do this we will need to pass on your phone number to the potential adopter so they can call you to find out more about the dog and to arrange a mutually convenient time to meet. You may also have found a perfect match through your own contacts and this is really appreciated.  They must still go through the adoption application process, however, and be approved by MADRA.

Can I return my foster dog to MADRA if I am unable to foster any longer?

Of course.  Please contact us and we will arrange it.  We will usually try to find an alternative fosterer rather than returning the dog to kennels so would appreciate as much notice as possible.

What if I have to leave for work or holiday for a while? 

If we have enough notice, we can try to find an alternative foster home for the dog and bring them back to you again when you have returned.  Alternatively, we will return them to the kennels.

What can I expect from a home visit?

We would be in contact with you beforehand to arrange a time that suits you. Then we visit to view the planned sleeping and living area for the dog as well as seeing how the dog can be kept safe and secure on the property. It is a great chance to meet the foster family including any other pets.

View or download our foster handbook here

Foster Handbook