Specialty Dogs

We are always in need of fosters for our Pregnant and Nursing Moms, our Orphans, and our Bottle Babies. If you'd like to foster any of these special groups, please email fostersupport@austinpetsalive.org and let us know!

What to Expect When Your Foster's Expecting provides you an overview of maternity fostering and answers some frequently asked questions.

Informational Handouts

Detailed Information on Raising puppies WITH a mom.

Detailed Information on Raising puppies WITHOUT a mom.

Detailed Information on Puppy Behavior Basics

Detailed Information on Fading Puppy Syndrome.

Important Contacts

Dog Foster Care (DFC) Team for information on your foster's medical care: dog-foster-care@austinpetslive.org

Maternity, Bottle & Tube Baby Mentors: dog-foster-neonatal@austinpetsalive.org

APA! Medical Team: medicalreception@austinpetsalive.org

In an emergency, please call 512-466-0720 (during Clinic hours 9:00AM-7:00PM) or 1-888-733-8840 (after hours/on call)

**Please utilize our mentors for general advice as much as possible rather than emailing our Medical Team.

REMINDERS ABOUT PUPPY CARE

• Puppies should be contained at all times when not being closely monitored or they will wreak havoc in your house/apt. We recommend an x-pen/playpen or small gated off area like a bathroom or kitchen where they cannot get ahold of anything valuable or dangerous. The floor should be covered with several puppy pads/newspaper. 

• Puppies will need to eat at least 3 times per day, and possibly more based on age and size.

• Puppies will need your help to get them adopted. We put puppies on our website at 7 weeks of age. So for each puppy under 10 weeks, we will need at least 3 great photos for our website, and for each puppy 10 weeks or older, we will need both these photos and a short bio - you can prepare this bio yourself or you can complete this questionnaire: APA! Dog Info Bio Form. And just like any foster dog, you will need to correspond with potential adopters via emails and arrange meet and greets with potential adopters and your puppy(ies).

• Puppies will need your help to bring them to their medical appointments, and you will need to adhere to their strict schedule for vaccinations and preventatives. For example, puppies need dewormer at 2 and 4 weeks of age, and puppies need shots every 2 weeks beginning at 6 weeks of age.

• Puppies cannot be placed on the ground in areas where other unknown dogs have been until they are fully vaccinated. For example, apartment complex parking lots/grassy areas, dog parks, restaurants, coffee shops, pet stores, and vet clinics. You must carry the puppy in these locations.

Occasionally, elderly dogs may become disabled, or younger dogs may suffer a debilitating injury, leaving them unable to use the hindlimbs (back legs). These pets are often still alert and normal in their behavior, and with proper care and a little extra help, they can continue to enjoy happy, healthy lives. But, these dogs are often euthanized at other shelters because they cannot provide the resources needed. Caring for pets that have paralyzed hindlimbs can be very rewarding for a pet’s family.

Dogs may need to use a cart or wheelie to remain mobile for a variety of reasons. Some dogs may have acquired a serious disease such as hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy (DM), intervertebral disc disease, bone cancer, or arthritis. Dogs may have had a limb amputated as the result of injury or disease. Depending on the severity of disease, carts can extend the dog’s life by a number of years. Austin Pets Alive! will provide a wheel chair, drag bag, sling, and any other supplies needed to care for your special foster dog. 

Typical care for a wheelie dog may include:

• Lifting your dog in and out of their wheelchair;

• Monitoring for rub wounds from dragging, and where the wheelchair may rub the dogs body;

• Incontinent care if they are not able to potty on their own.  (see more about incontinent care below).
  
  

Dog Wheelchair Life is a personal blog by a woman who has cared for mobility challenged pups and offers some great advice on how to care for a paralyzed dog. None of the advice in their blog should replace actual medical advice from a veterinarian or medical professional.

Incontinent dogs cannot control their bladder, bowels, or both, because of injury or illness. They are often euthanized at other shelters because they are viewed as unadoptable. At Austin Pets Alive!, we know better. We have had many successful adoptions of incontinent dogs.  Each dogs needs will be unique, and our clinic will work with you to be sure that you have the tools and training you need to successfully care for your foster. 

Typical things you will need for an incontinent dog:

• Diapers - you can find these in the foster sharing shed;

• Drag bag - please email fostersupport@austinpetsalive.org if you need a drag bag for your APA! foster;

• Crate - if you do not have a crate at home, let us know and we will provide one.

Things to remember:

• Diapers need to be changed in a timely manner- if urine or feces sits on the skin for too long it can cause scalding;

• A drag bag is not a diaper- it should be kept clean and dry to prevent scalding.

Austin Pets Alive! is a last-chance rescue that focuses on rescuing the dogs most in need. Many of those dogs have medical needs, including sick dogs,  puppies who survive parvo,  and dogs who have been injured. Our clinic will provide the medical care these pups need but, these dogs will heal fastest in a foster home. We will teach you everything you need to know to care for your sick or injured dog and supply all necessary medications and medical supplies.