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TRC is a volunteer-based rescue and adoption team. We're a small group, with a lot of motivation - we
get things done. Everyone who's here is here because their opinion matters and their experiences count. TRC always needs volunteers, foster families, and positive PR for the breed and organization. You need not
have any special skill - just the desire to help the dogs, an open mind, and some time on your hands. If you can't volunteer
at this time and still want to help, there are several other ways you can contribute to the well-being of the dogs. TRC welcomes team members from NY,
NJ, CT and PA. Members who share our philosophies are encouraged to apply. Some of the
most common ways to help are: Make phone calls checking on adopted dogs Foster Home (fill
out fostering application if this is what you want to do) Education, training and positive breed PR at Rottie Socials Local and long
distance transportation Dog walking and obedience training Staffing at rescue
and adoption events Evaluating dogs Home visits Event planning .... And Ohhh SO
Much More...
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TRC is looking for caring, responsible large dog
lovers to join our foster team by opening their homes and their hearts to a rescued Rottweiler or large breed dog. These
Gentle Giants do not 'kennel well' and our foster system allows volunteers to provide our orphans with a home environment
in order to evaluate their habits and behaviors. Since volunteers get to know each foster dog "up close and personal",
they offer a potential adopter more information about the dog which helps (TRC) make a better match between the dog and their
adoptive family. "Foster
parents" should be able to make a commitment to spend time with the foster dog and give all the exercise, love, and attention
the dog needs -- however long it stays with them.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is fostering for me? Good question. Foster parents should be able to make a commitment to spend time with
the foster dog and give them all the training, exercise, love, and attention the dog needs -- however long it stays with them.
Sometimes these dogs need special care and that takes time and effort. And then you must be able to say good bye when we find
them their own forever family. But know there is great joy in that when the day comes. One thing of which you need to be fully aware is that fostering is not the
“fast track” to adoption. If you foster a dog with the intention of by-passing our standard adoption process,
you will find that this is not permissible except in rare instances as deemed appropriate by group President. Foster
homes must go through the same process as our adopters and meet the same criteria.
What will I need to do as a foster parent? Foster homes are responsible for the daily care of the foster dog including feeding,
exercising, medicating (as necessary), socializing, brushing and grooming, reinforcing basic obedience commands, observing
and evaluating general behavior and temperament. And of course, providing love and security to a special orphan at a
difficult time in his or her life when they have lost their former family and home.
How long does the dog stay in foster care? It varies. Large breed dogs stay in a foster home from a minimum of a few days to as much as several months,
depending on the dog, his/her personality, his/her age, his/her health, and other factors. Generally, if the foster is
under age 2 and healthy, they do not stay with the foster family for very long.
Do I need a fenced yard? No, but
having a fenced yard helps when it is raining and the dog needs to go to the bathroom. Our foster homes
must comply with the same requirements as our adoptive homes. Fenced yards ensure that an orphan has the safest possible
environment to relieve itself, or you will be required to walk the dog on a regular basis. The dog may be exercised there
off leash if your yard is surrounded by a secure fence, but outside the yard the dog must be on leash at all times.
Do I have to be with the dog all day? No. Many of our foster
family members are currently employed full or part-time, yet they still provide a quality environment for the dog. As
with adopters, we require that you provide midday relief for a foster dog if you work full time away from home. Our first concern is safety for you, your family, your own pets,
and for the rescue dog. Therefore we require that any time the dog's caregiver is unable to directly supervise the foster
dog, it must be leashed or confined in a secure area, preferably in a crate.
How
much time does it take to be a foster parent? At
minimum, two hours a day to as much time you can spend with the dog. In some cases, the more quality time you spend with
your foster, the more quickly you can prepare it for placement in its forever home. Be prepared though for the first
week or two to require more then the minimum time of two hours. Some dogs acclimate quickly to new environments but others
are more stressed and traumatized and require more care.
What if I
go on vacation? Or if I travel for my job? Unfortunately TRC does not have facilities to temporarily house foster dogs. As a result, foster caregivers
often develop support systems to provide care in their absence or they stagger the times when they foster. Some schedule vacations
between orphans or find pet sitters or family members to step in when they travel for business. The same provisions that
you would make for your own dog would apply to a foster -- with the caveat that if you do plan on boarding your foster please
be sure to discuss this with the group President or intake coordinator before hand and be sure they have all contact information
for the kennel and the kennel has their contact information.
How much
does it cost to foster a dog? Lack of funds
shouldn't prevent you from fostering, but you will have some expenses: good quality dog food, and any toys you wish
to provide. Although necessary veterinary expenses, including heartworm preventative, are paid by TRC , remember that
we are a nonprofit organization so anything you donate to your orphan's care can be deducted from your taxes.
May I choose which dog I foster? Your TRC President or Intake Coordinator will work with you to select an appropriate
dog. The foster application allows you to specify requirements, such as a foster must get along with your dogs, cats,
or kids. As a foster, once you take a dog into your home we expect that you will work through any problems that arise
unless they are severe. Should such a situation arise, you must immediately contact your TRC Intake Coordinator. You
must also be prepared to give your coordinator 48 hours to find new placement for your foster dog. Remember, we do not
have a kennel so it is very unlikely that a coordinator can remove a dog from your home immediately.
Will I become attached to my foster dog? Yes, you undoubtedly will. Dogs bond quickly and they give so much back in return for your attention. But
when you meet the new family that's ready to provide a permanent, loving home for the dog you helped rescue, you will
feel more than satisfied to see him move on to his new and better life. Being a foster home is extremely rewarding,
but you should keep in mind that some rescue dogs may not be housebroken, may be ill, or may have had little socialization
or obedience training. In spite of these challenges, our foster homes have found that when given a chance, the dog will not
only quickly improve, they flourish. What if I want to adopt
the dog I am fostering? If you decide
to be a foster parent, it should be with the understanding that you are working toward helping a deserving dog prepare for
its "forever home", and not with the goal to "try out" a dog you may later wish to adopt. We treat fosters and adopters equally. If you think you may wish to adopt your foster, we require a completed TRC Adoption
Contract, and normal adoption fees apply. I'd like to foster, what
do I do next? Once your family has decided together to foster a dog, please fill out a foster application
and then submit it. If you send us your evening/weekend phone number, a volunteer will call you back to start the application
process with a phone screen. If you meet our preliminary requirements, someone will contact you to schedule a home visit.
They will provide more detail about your responsibilities as a foster and answer any questions you may have. If you are approved,
you're on your way to helping to prepare a dog for its forever home! Please let us know if you can help us house an orphan Rottweiler or large
breed dog until a permanent "forever home" can be found.
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