Are you interesting in fostering a dog and saving a life? You have come to the right place! Lil' Rascals Refuge is a foster based rescue meaning all of the dogs we rescue stay in approved foster homes until they are adopted. Foster parents and families are crucial to our rescue organization! Fostering can be a very fun and rewarding experience for all involved if you are willing to commit to teaching our Angels how to be dogs, be patient as they learn and enjoy seeing them blossom.
Considering becoming a foster parent/family? Read on.
Please note-
-Lil’ Rascals does not allow families whose current animals are not spayed/neutered or up to date on core vaccinations to foster.
-Our dogs are to be inside dogs ONLY! For the dog's safety and wellbeing they will reside indoors only with their foster families.
-Lil’ Rascals does follow up with all fosters at least once per week during your foster dog’s stay. Our main goal is to ensure the health and welfare of all of our dogs. We will check in to answer any questions you may have and make sure you and your foster dog are doing well. You need to answer our phone calls, text messages, Facebook Messages or Email within 24 hours (Stipulation of the foster contract)
-If for any reason you are not able to care for or keep the dog you are fostering for Lil’ Rascals any longer you need to notify us and return the dog back to us. We ask you please give us at least 24 hours (in non-emergency situations) to find a new foster home.
-Lil' Rascals Refuge covers APPROVED veterinary care expenses
-If you are not following the stipulations of the contract or Standards of Care we will have to take back your foster dog. We are allowed to do a welfare check at any time we deem necessary.
-Only one person's name/information/signature is allowed to be on the foster contract. That name will be the same as on the foster application.
-We prefer our fosters to be with in 1 hour of Thorp, WI to foster and be willing to drive. (Exceptions can be made on a case by case basis) We use Dairyland Animal Clinic in Owen and all of our dogs are seen there for treatment.
What all does fostering entail for the foster parent/family?
-You are required to contact Lil' Rascals Refuge Inc. for any and all medical issues that may arise while the dog is in your care.
-We ask you please fill out a journal entry every week to show your foster dog’s progress. (As a foster parent, we ask that you evaluate your foster's behavior, temperament and energy level. )
-A form will be sent home with you and your new foster dog, we ask you fill out and return when the dog comes back to us.
-We need you to follow our care plan for your foster dog and provide the care we ask you to based on the dog's needs.
-We require that you provide the necessary time, attention and exercise for your foster dog. That does not mean you cannot foster if you cannot be with your foster dog all day. We understand that a majority of people have full time jobs and are not able to be home with their dogs all day every day. That is ok!
-If your foster dog is exhibiting behavioral issues we will work with you to provide tips and training methods to correct that behavior or ask you to take your foster dog to training classes (Paid for by Lil' Rascals).
-Lil' Rascals does not allow our dogs to be kenneled for more than 10 hours in a 24 hour period.
-Retired breeders will be provided with exercise pens and not kennels
-As a foster parent, you are not permitted to place your foster dog for adoption without approval from Lil' Rascals Refuge. Any interested parties must submit an Adoption Application thru our website and must be approved before a meet or adoption can take place. People are NOT ALLOWED to meet a dog BEFORE they have an approved application. PLEASE DO NOT invite people interested in adopting over to view your foster dog until they have an approved adoption application in with us. You may not 'give' your foster dog to
anyone including your mother, brother, best friend, neighbor etc. If you no longer wish to foster your foster dog you need to contact us directly and we will set up a time for you to return your foster dog. We ask you allow us a decent amount of time to find another suitable foster.
-You MAY NOT KEEP YOUR FOSTER DOG without going through the proper Adoption Procedure! If you are wanting to adopt your foster dog you need to have an approved adoption application on file with us.
-Your foster dog will be listed on our website and Adopt A Pet as available for adoption. We encourage you to share and tell your friends about your foster dog, but please remember there is a confidentiality policy you need to follow. Further questions can be forwarded to us.
-All pets in your home must be spayed/neutered and up to date on core vaccinations. This is not only for the health of the foster dog, but for your own pet(s) as well.
-Lil' Rascals Refuge will provide food, a collar/leash/harness, toys, treats, pen and any necessary medical care for the duration of your foster dog's stay. If you happen to run out of something or need something else for your foster dog you are required to contact us. If we OK it for you to buy the supplies/food for your foster dog and you would like to be reimbursed for it, you will need to keep your receipts and submit them to us within 2 weeks of the purchase.
-You will need to take your foster dog to veterinary appointments, dog meets, adoption events, etc. per our request. If you are unable to bring your foster dog to an appointment you need to contact us to make other arrangements. PetSmart adoptions are usually held twice per month, the first Saturday of each month and one Saturday in the middle of the month.
-Lil' Rascals Refuge Inc. cannot be held responsible for any damage to personal property that a foster could possibly cause or illness caused by your foster dog.
These policies are NOT to deter you from fostering. We have these policies in place simply to protect our dogs and our organization. Our goal is to find only the best foster home for each of our dogs. Some of our dogs may need special considerations due to their past history, behavior or health. We will put the dogs in the best suitable foster homes that we see fit. We hope you understand this and truly hope you admire our dedication to each and every dog in our care.
Steps to Foster
Step One- Research
Please research retired breeding dogs and puppy mills. All of the dogs we rescue are retired breeding dogs and have spent their entire life living in a cage, being used for breeding prior to their rescue. When our dogs first arrive, they know nothing because they have never had the chance to actually ‘live’ before. They have never been able to run, play with toys, have a soft bed, feel the grass beneath their feet or even breathe fresh air. Your job will be to teach them all of these things and celebrate these amazing milestones! Patience and lots of love is required! Below are some informational links.
http://www.lilrascalsrefuge.org/blog/the-life-of-a-puppy-mill-dog
http://www.lilrascalsrefuge.org/blog/rescuing-mill-dogs
http://www.lilrascalsrefuge.org/blog/puppy-mills
Step Two- Foster Application
Complete our Foster Application. Our application is a bit lengthy but very much necessary to help us place our dogs in the best foster home possible. From the foster application we get an idea of your home environment, learn about your other pets, you and your lifestyle. Once we receive your completed foster application, we will forward your application ahead for processing. Your application will be reviewed, personal and veterinary references called and then you will receive an email response from our application processor within 3 days of submitting your application. Please check your spam folder for an email response, it may not always show up in your Inbox. If you do not receive a response within 3 days of filling out the adoption application, please email us and let us know
Step Three- Home Visit
Have an approved home visit completed. Once you receive a response on your application, our application processor will set up a time for a home visit to be completed. During the home visit our volunteer go over some questions and points about welcoming your new foster dog into your home. They will also inspect your home and yard to make sure it is safe for one of our dogs.
Step Four- Welcoming a foster dog into their temporary home
We will bring the dog you would like to foster to your home to do the home visit. We will have our dog and your current dog(s) meet to make sure they get along. Our retired breeders LOVE other dogs and really learn a lot from them. All supplies you need will be provided to you at this time, including an informational book and book to read (if you choose). We will then have you sign the foster contract and standards of care.
Lil’ Rascals Refuge is State Licensed and Inspected by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
400297-DS
Considering becoming a foster parent/family? Read on.
Please note-
-Lil’ Rascals does not allow families whose current animals are not spayed/neutered or up to date on core vaccinations to foster.
-Our dogs are to be inside dogs ONLY! For the dog's safety and wellbeing they will reside indoors only with their foster families.
-Lil’ Rascals does follow up with all fosters at least once per week during your foster dog’s stay. Our main goal is to ensure the health and welfare of all of our dogs. We will check in to answer any questions you may have and make sure you and your foster dog are doing well. You need to answer our phone calls, text messages, Facebook Messages or Email within 24 hours (Stipulation of the foster contract)
-If for any reason you are not able to care for or keep the dog you are fostering for Lil’ Rascals any longer you need to notify us and return the dog back to us. We ask you please give us at least 24 hours (in non-emergency situations) to find a new foster home.
-Lil' Rascals Refuge covers APPROVED veterinary care expenses
-If you are not following the stipulations of the contract or Standards of Care we will have to take back your foster dog. We are allowed to do a welfare check at any time we deem necessary.
-Only one person's name/information/signature is allowed to be on the foster contract. That name will be the same as on the foster application.
-We prefer our fosters to be with in 1 hour of Thorp, WI to foster and be willing to drive. (Exceptions can be made on a case by case basis) We use Dairyland Animal Clinic in Owen and all of our dogs are seen there for treatment.
What all does fostering entail for the foster parent/family?
-You are required to contact Lil' Rascals Refuge Inc. for any and all medical issues that may arise while the dog is in your care.
-We ask you please fill out a journal entry every week to show your foster dog’s progress. (As a foster parent, we ask that you evaluate your foster's behavior, temperament and energy level. )
-A form will be sent home with you and your new foster dog, we ask you fill out and return when the dog comes back to us.
-We need you to follow our care plan for your foster dog and provide the care we ask you to based on the dog's needs.
-We require that you provide the necessary time, attention and exercise for your foster dog. That does not mean you cannot foster if you cannot be with your foster dog all day. We understand that a majority of people have full time jobs and are not able to be home with their dogs all day every day. That is ok!
-If your foster dog is exhibiting behavioral issues we will work with you to provide tips and training methods to correct that behavior or ask you to take your foster dog to training classes (Paid for by Lil' Rascals).
-Lil' Rascals does not allow our dogs to be kenneled for more than 10 hours in a 24 hour period.
-Retired breeders will be provided with exercise pens and not kennels
-As a foster parent, you are not permitted to place your foster dog for adoption without approval from Lil' Rascals Refuge. Any interested parties must submit an Adoption Application thru our website and must be approved before a meet or adoption can take place. People are NOT ALLOWED to meet a dog BEFORE they have an approved application. PLEASE DO NOT invite people interested in adopting over to view your foster dog until they have an approved adoption application in with us. You may not 'give' your foster dog to
anyone including your mother, brother, best friend, neighbor etc. If you no longer wish to foster your foster dog you need to contact us directly and we will set up a time for you to return your foster dog. We ask you allow us a decent amount of time to find another suitable foster.
-You MAY NOT KEEP YOUR FOSTER DOG without going through the proper Adoption Procedure! If you are wanting to adopt your foster dog you need to have an approved adoption application on file with us.
-Your foster dog will be listed on our website and Adopt A Pet as available for adoption. We encourage you to share and tell your friends about your foster dog, but please remember there is a confidentiality policy you need to follow. Further questions can be forwarded to us.
-All pets in your home must be spayed/neutered and up to date on core vaccinations. This is not only for the health of the foster dog, but for your own pet(s) as well.
-Lil' Rascals Refuge will provide food, a collar/leash/harness, toys, treats, pen and any necessary medical care for the duration of your foster dog's stay. If you happen to run out of something or need something else for your foster dog you are required to contact us. If we OK it for you to buy the supplies/food for your foster dog and you would like to be reimbursed for it, you will need to keep your receipts and submit them to us within 2 weeks of the purchase.
-You will need to take your foster dog to veterinary appointments, dog meets, adoption events, etc. per our request. If you are unable to bring your foster dog to an appointment you need to contact us to make other arrangements. PetSmart adoptions are usually held twice per month, the first Saturday of each month and one Saturday in the middle of the month.
-Lil' Rascals Refuge Inc. cannot be held responsible for any damage to personal property that a foster could possibly cause or illness caused by your foster dog.
These policies are NOT to deter you from fostering. We have these policies in place simply to protect our dogs and our organization. Our goal is to find only the best foster home for each of our dogs. Some of our dogs may need special considerations due to their past history, behavior or health. We will put the dogs in the best suitable foster homes that we see fit. We hope you understand this and truly hope you admire our dedication to each and every dog in our care.
Steps to Foster
Step One- Research
Please research retired breeding dogs and puppy mills. All of the dogs we rescue are retired breeding dogs and have spent their entire life living in a cage, being used for breeding prior to their rescue. When our dogs first arrive, they know nothing because they have never had the chance to actually ‘live’ before. They have never been able to run, play with toys, have a soft bed, feel the grass beneath their feet or even breathe fresh air. Your job will be to teach them all of these things and celebrate these amazing milestones! Patience and lots of love is required! Below are some informational links.
http://www.lilrascalsrefuge.org/blog/the-life-of-a-puppy-mill-dog
http://www.lilrascalsrefuge.org/blog/rescuing-mill-dogs
http://www.lilrascalsrefuge.org/blog/puppy-mills
Step Two- Foster Application
Complete our Foster Application. Our application is a bit lengthy but very much necessary to help us place our dogs in the best foster home possible. From the foster application we get an idea of your home environment, learn about your other pets, you and your lifestyle. Once we receive your completed foster application, we will forward your application ahead for processing. Your application will be reviewed, personal and veterinary references called and then you will receive an email response from our application processor within 3 days of submitting your application. Please check your spam folder for an email response, it may not always show up in your Inbox. If you do not receive a response within 3 days of filling out the adoption application, please email us and let us know
Step Three- Home Visit
Have an approved home visit completed. Once you receive a response on your application, our application processor will set up a time for a home visit to be completed. During the home visit our volunteer go over some questions and points about welcoming your new foster dog into your home. They will also inspect your home and yard to make sure it is safe for one of our dogs.
Step Four- Welcoming a foster dog into their temporary home
We will bring the dog you would like to foster to your home to do the home visit. We will have our dog and your current dog(s) meet to make sure they get along. Our retired breeders LOVE other dogs and really learn a lot from them. All supplies you need will be provided to you at this time, including an informational book and book to read (if you choose). We will then have you sign the foster contract and standards of care.
Lil’ Rascals Refuge is State Licensed and Inspected by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
400297-DS
