Adoption saves a life.
FOSTERING SAVES LIVES.
*All fosters will go through a no commitment 3-day trial to find out if fostering is right for your family.
Path of Hope Rescue does not have a building or a kennel location. That means that we are wholly dependent on foster families. Every dog we save has to have a committed foster family in order for us to rescue them.
LOVE THEM FOR A LITTLE WHILE, UNTIL WE FIND A FAMILY WHO WILL LOVE THEM FOREVER.
FAQs
How am I going to let them go when they get adopted?
We won’t lie, this one is hard. Every puppy or momma that comes into your home is going to take a piece of your heart with him. It’s unavoidable. We accept the hurt of letting them go, so we can help more. Because there’s another dog in Texas sleeping on the streets right now, just praying for a family like yours. And that next one is going to give you a piece of his heart too. So after awhile your heart will be composed of all of the dogs that you saved.
Please note, we do not allow fosters to adopt their first placement.
Can I Foster to Adopt?
We always need fosters, but if your goal is to adopt, we recommend only applying to adopt. We have a matchmaking service that will help match you to the right dog and an in home trial, so the dog can be part of the family before you have to decide anything permanent.
Please note, we do not allow fosters to adopt their first placement.
What is a 'placement'?
That’s some of that weird Rescue lingo. It just means we have certain rules for placement of dogs into foster homes. You will only have one ‘placement’ at a time.
*Litters of puppies under 8 weeks old are always kept together with mom
*Puppies 8-16 weeks are placed in pairs
*Puppies and adults over 16 weeks are placed as single dog
How much will fostering cost me?
Nothing! PHR provides everything you need: crates, toys, treats, blankets, food and medical care. We have an entire stock of supplies to make your experience as easy as possible, and if we don’t have something, just ask!
How long will I have the fosters? What if they don't get adopted?
Hasn’t happened yet! We do have some dogs that take longer to find their families, but your commitment is only for two months. At that time, we will offer to move your pup or you can commit to an additional two month period. However, most of our dogs do get adopted before two months.
I have other animals, will they get along?
In our experience, the majority of our dogs slide right into an existing pack with little to no problems. It’s a testament to how amazing dogs are, that they are social animals and thrive in well balanced packs. We always suggest a couple days of separation initially, just to let them decompress from their long trip. No one wants to attend a party after three days on the road! Additional, we will always be honest about what we know of a dog’s temperament. We also have a Behavioral team that will come help you. But after all of that, if its just not a good fit, we will move your foster to a different home. Your family’s safety is our number one priority, humans and fur kids.
I have a vacation planned, can you work around that?
We know you can’t plan your entire life around your foster dog, so don’t worry! We got your back. Just let your Case Manager know ahead of your vacation and we will find you a temporary foster while you’re gone. Or you are always to bring your foster dog with you, we love to see our dogs being included in family adventures!
What other kinds of support do you offer?
Loads! You will have your own dedicated Case Manager that will be your point of contact for everything you need. We have a Medic in every part of the city to offer you a close option to get your pups vaccines done. We have a Transport team that will give your pup a ride somewhere if needed. We have a Clean team of approved teenagers who will come clean your house and yard (basically child labor), and we have a Care team that is activated when a puppy needs extra medical care. And lastly, we have a Behavior team that will come to your home and help with any issues you are experiencing.
What if my foster puppy gets sick?
Our dogs have pretty terrible immune systems from living on the streets, so it does happen. We have an entire medical team dedicated to making sure our puppies have the best care and you have support. Almost all issues we can treat ‘in house’ but if we do need a vet, we have a couple of great vet partners we work with. And again, there is absolutely no cost to you.
I work full time, can I still foster?
Absolutely! We will take into account your ‘out of the house’ time when deciding who to put with you. For instance, we wouldn’t put 8 week old puppies with someone who is gone eight hours a day.
Can I choose which dogs to foster?
We will take into account your age preference, but we don’t allow people to choose which specific dog they want. Frankly, because that would be so hard to honor for everyone!
What are the responsibilities of a foster?
Provide food and clean water daily
That’s it!
Okay, not really
Exercise and socialization would be a bonus! And you’re probably gonna want to potty train them, you know, for the sake of your floors
Don’t worry, we will find the adopters, but we will want your input if you think they are serial killers or not
What are the different types of fosters?
We have several types of fosters; permanent, temporary and medical. A permanent foster is our most popular and most needed foster. Permanent fosters typically foster the pup(s) until they are adopted. We also have a handful of temporary fosters. These fosters step in when there is a short term need ie: the permanent foster goes on vacation. Lastly, we have medical fosters. Medical fosters step in when we have sick puppies that need a little extra care and support.
Every Dog Wanted.
Amidst the overwhelming sight of countless stray animals on Houston’s streets, a woman tirelessly offered food and gathered the sickest dogs. An observer, struck by the sheer scale of the need – far exceeding shelter capacities – questioned her efforts, remarking, “There are simply too many suffering animals. You can’t possibly make a real difference against such odds.”
The woman listened politely, then gently coaxed a small, frightened puppy from hiding – thin, weak, with weeping eyes. After offering water and a comforting touch, she carefully placed him into a safe kennel. Turning back to the observer, she simply stated, “It will make a difference for this one.”
Adapted from the “Starfish Poem” and written by Jaymie Miner
