Foster homes are one of our greatest needs. When you decide to foster a Great Dane, you have taken a major step in saving the life of a Great Dane. Foster homes allow us to put Danes we have received into a good situation where they will receive love, attention, and in many cases get back to healthy. The more foster homes we have, the more Great Danes we can save. Having foster homes also greatly reduces the operating costs of the rescue.

What is foster care?

• A temporary refuge for a Great Dane who needs a new home.
• A place for a dog to become better socialized, learn house manners and basic obedience skills, and obtain medical attention as needed.
• A period of time to evaluate a dog's temperament for placement.

Who pays for foster care?

RMGDRI Pays for:
• Medical expenses are covered by RMGDRI (with prior approval)
• Food is provided by RMGDRI on a monthly basis
• Training expenses are covered by RMGDRI by our designated trainers with prior approval

You pay for:
• Toys, dog treats, cleaning supplies, and mileage are not reimbursed. Check with your tax advisor about deducting mileage as a charitable expense.

How long does a dog stay in foster care?
• Anywhere from a week to a couple of months. In rare cases, more time is needed.

What if the foster dog doesn't fit in?
• The Board of Directors will help you sort out any issues during the adjustment period and, if necessary, find the dog another foster home.

What kind of support is available?

• An email list full of people who have been rescuing Danes for a long time.
• The Board of Directors are just a phone call or email away.
• We work with Dane experienced vets and trainers who are always standing by.

Recommended items to have on hand for fostering
Foster kit's
• rectal thermometer
• bandage material
• rescue remedy
• collars and leashes
• bleach
• Bissell carpet cleaner
• Kong
• gentle leader - know how to fit it properly
• zip ties
• “get serious” carpet cleaner (that is the name)
• muzzle
• odorban
• chicken broth
• liver paste- will help get them to eat
• ID tags - the rescue provides ID tags for all the foster dogs. We are also microchipping as many as possible.
• know where the nearest 24-hour vet is - you must call a board member for approval before having a foster Dane treated.

How are you able to let them go after you have fallen in love?

“It makes me happy to give a Dane a place where they feel safe and loved. It is hard to let them go, but you know they are going to a wonderful new home where they will be well loved. Some are harder to let go than others, but as they move on, I know I am making room for the next Dane in need of rescue.” - Lori

How does fostering enrich your life? Comments from our fosters:

"Fostering for RMGDRI has been the most rewarding experience of my life. It is an incredible feeling to know you have actively participated in saving and rehabilitating an animal that would have otherwise been forgotten. Whether they are with me for only a day, or for a few months, they all have left a permanent mark on my life. I am incredibly grateful for this experience." - Bree

"Fostering for RMGDRI has been a way of paving my way to Heaven. By giving my time and love to these beautiful animals, for however long they are with me, I in return have learned the true meaning of selfless love and patience. And this I have gotten from their love and companionship." - Peggy

"Fostering has enriched my life in ways I never dreamed possible. It has also been challenging in many ways as well and forced me and my husband to reach beyond our comfort zones. Every Dane that comes into rescue requires something different from you. As their foster parent, you play a critical role in preparing them for their forever homes and giving them the tools to be successful. You get to watch them change from scared and insecure when they arrive, to confident and happy when they depart. It is always bittersweet when it is time for them to go to their forever homes, but it is incredibly rewarding to meet their new families and watch them succeed!"- Lindsay

“You bring a broken creature, both in mind and body, into your home and send a confident, loving creature
out into the world. You create a safe, loving haven in a sea of turmoil and despair. At the end of the
day, you create a family member - they are not just a dog anymore. To see a dog I have fostered with their
new Forever Family, see the joy on everyone's face, to know I've been a part of it is quite simply the most
amazing feeling in the world." - Hillary

“Seeing their personality come out is so rewarding and the people here supporting me are wonderful. People are often scared of Danes initially due to their size, but they grow to love them once they get to know their goofy personality and gentle spirits.” - Randi

"Watching an animal transform from a dog that someone totally forgot about, to a dog that someone can't live without, is an amazing experience and knowing that I had a hand in that is heartwarming. When you see the smiles on the faces of both the dog and their new families it makes it all worth it!" - Lori

"One of the best parts of fostering is when you see a dog who previously was so nervous that they wouldn't eat and would stand with their head hanging low, running and frolicking and just being a dog." - Susan

"Fostering Great Danes requires a change in lifestyle. Life becomes a little bit more unpredictable, a little bit dirtier, and a little bit bigger. But it also becomes a little bit more humorous, a little bit more loving, and a LOT more rewarding. While my family and I have had to make certain sacrifices in order to foster Great Danes, there are no regrets, no missed opportunities, and no love lost. Anyone can see how much a foster family gives to the animals it fosters. However, it is not always obvious how much love the foster dogs give to their families. Fostering Great Danes is not only an extremely rewarding experience, but it is a blessing as well." Laura, Missy & Kiley

 

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

If you are interested in becoming a foster for RMGDRI you can: Email us