The Foster Process

Can I take my foster pet to a dog park or dog daycare?

Unfortunately we do not allow our foster dogs to go to public dog parks due to liability reasons. But we do have doggie daycare at the shelter every Thursday for you to bring your foster dog too. That way they still get to socialize with new dogs in a safe and controlled manner. If you would like to take your foster dog to a dog daycare outside of the GPG one you must email placement@gatewaypets.org for approval. Please note that we cannot pay for daycare outside of GPG's.

What do I do if I need to go out of town?

Please email temp@gatewaypets.org, They can arrange for someone to watch your foster pet while you are away. If they are unable to find a temp foster home then the pet will be able to stay at our shelter.  Please give us a minimum of a 4-day notice to try to find a temp foster home.

I work long hours, what should I do with my foster pet?

It is completely fine to leave for foster pet for up to 12 hours alone. We do provide crates for your foster dog to put them in while you are away.  We always advice to crate your foster pet if you have any other animals. If you have no other pets, we still recommend crating them as many adopters want their new foster pet crate trained. Please check out this handout for tips on crate training.

How long will I have my foster for?

If you are perm fostering, we ask that you foster them until they are adopted. The amount of time it takes for a pet to get adopted varies based on the pet but we always advice to use our marketing tips to help get them adopted quickly. 

My foster ran away/bite someone/got into a dog fight?

Per the foster agreement you must notify GPG immediately if the foster pet bites someone, runs away, or gets into a fight. The number to call is 929-FOSTER1 but please refer to the foster emergency page for more details.

Why don't you provide more information on the animals needing fosters?

When we intake our animals we are often given limited information. We try to evaluate our new dogs for dog friendliness but are not able to cat test or kid test frequently (if at all). Therefore, we provide as much information as possible when posting them on our foster plea but we unfortunately only as much as we know.

Who do I contact if my foster is showing behavioral issues?

Make sure to email training@gatewaypets.org if you are experiencing any behavioral issues with your foster pet. Also make sure to check out our training portal for tons of great information. 

What is covered medically for the fosters until adoption?

Puppies:

• Physical Exam: overall examination by our vet

• Microchip: A microchip is a way to track the animal if they get lost. The microchip has a personalized number that if scanned with a microchip reader (all shelters and animal controls scan upon intake) it will give the contact information of the adopter. When animals are adopted, the adopters info will be automatically updated onto the microchip as the first contact with GPG as the 2nd contact.

• DHPP: prevents distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus

• Bordetella Vaccine: kennel cough

• Dewormed: Given pyrantel which treats roundworms and hookworms

• Spay/neuter

• Heartworm and Flea Medication until the adoption: Prevents and treats heartworms, fleas and ticks

Dogs:

• Physical Exam: overall examination by our vet

• Microchip: A microchip is a way to track the animal if they get lost. The microchip has a personalized number that if scanned with a microchip reader (all shelters and animal controls scan upon intake) it will give the contact information of the adopter. When animals are adopted, the adopters info will be automatically updated onto the microchip as the first contact with GPG as the 2nd contact.

• DHPP: prevents distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus

• Bordetella Vaccine: kennel cough

• Rabies Vaccine: prevents rabies

• Dewormed: Given Virbantel which treats roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms

• Spay/neuter

• Heartworm and Flea Medication until the adoption: Prevents and treats heartworms, fleas and ticks

• Heartworm Test:

• If negative: Dogs will need to be tested again in one year at the expensive of the adopter.

• If positive: Will be given heartworm packet which includes 30 days of doxycycline (anti-biotic), 6 month supply of Advantage Multi (which treats and prevents heartworms), a letter explaining the treatment and a treatment schedule.

Kittens:

• Physical Exam: overall examination by our vet

• Microchip: A microchip is a way to track the animal if they get lost. The microchip has a personalized number that if scanned with a microchip reader (all shelters and animal controls scan upon intake) it will give the contact information of the adopter. When animals are adopted, the adopters info will be automatically updated onto the microchip as the first contact with GPG as the 2nd contact.

• FVRCP vaccine: prevents feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia

• Spay/neuter

• Flea Medication until the adoption: Prevents and treats fleas and ticks

• Combo Test: Tests for Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency virus

• GPG will cover the cost of booster shots for all adopted kittens.  These appointments must be scheduled for Tech Appts. on Mondays and Wednesdays between 10am-6pm by emailing vetting@gatewaypets.org. Furthermore, at the time of S/N, we will administer all age appropriate vaccinations at no additional cost to include a 3rd FVRCP and a Rabies shot (if old enough) 

Cats:

• Physical Exam: overall examination by our vet

• Microchip: A microchip is a way to track the animal if they get lost. The microchip has a personalized number that if scanned with a microchip reader (all shelters and animal controls scan upon intake) it will give the contact information of the adopter. When animals are adopted, the adopters info will be automatically updated onto the microchip as the first contact with GPG as the 2nd contact.

• FVRCP vaccine: prevents feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia

• Spay/neuter

• Rabies Vaccine: prevents rabies

• Dewormed: Given Virbantel which treats roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms

• Flea Medication until the adoption: Prevents and treats fleas and ticks

• Combo Test: Tests for Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency virus