Frequently Asked Questions about fostering a dog

There is no cost for fostering a dog and we cover insurance and all vet bills. All we ask is that you cover the dog’s food each day.

Yes - we love a failed foster. If you do want to adopt your foster dog, just get in touch with us and we will start the process. Please note that an adoption fee will apply.

Many of our dogs available for foster are already in the UK. If possible, we ask you to help to transport the dog to you, or at least meet the current foster or owner half way.

Dogs that are currently in Romania are bought to the UK using a transport company specialising in live animals.

The vans used are completely kitted out with specialised cages. The vans have to conform to Defra standards and are awarded a licence after Inspection. All the vans have air-conditioning to ensure ventilation.

The journey takes around 48 hours with constant driving in shifts by up to three drivers. They travel through ARAD in Romania, which is where customs and animal exports are based. Then onwards through Hungary, Germany, Austria and France to Calais. At each border,the dogs are available for inspection by a vet and custom officers.

At Calais, there is a specific terminal for the transports. All inspections are made at this point, checking their passports and microchips as well as the condition of each and every animal. Once this is completed, the dogs travel by the Eurotunnel to Folkstone. Their journey on UK soil continues until your dog arrives at your front door.

We do not exclude people with other pets or children below a certain age. Some foster dogs have special needs, but we will make sure your foster dog matches your current circumstances.

Please contact us as soon as possible so that we can arrange alternative foster arrangements.

For the most part, the dogs in Romania will never have had a good quality regular meal. They will have scavenged, eaten rubbish from bins or dumping grounds, stones and bones, rarely getting the goodness they need. Once they arrive in our foster shelters, they receive basic food. So we would encourage you to buy some chicken breast and have it ready to boil with rice, as well as a bland dog food.

Many of the expensive foods will be far too rich for a dog not used to it and could cause unnecessary problems. Many dogs will arrive and at first experience runny stool and sometimes a small amount of blood. It’s just the changes in environment and foods that usually cause this. So keeping a bland food to start with is much better for their digestive systems. You can slowly introduce different foods once they are settled.

Please do this as normal, as if it was your own dog. The dog can be registered to your name and address. Please send any vet bills to us so that we can either pay the vet directly or reimburse you.

This depends on whether your foster dog is arriving from another home in the UK or from our shelter in Romania. If they are coming from another home, the current owner may well pass on food, beds, lead, harness or toys - we will let you know during the foster process. If the dog is arriving from Romania, they will only arrive with their paperwork.

You are responsible for looking after the foster dog in the best way that you can, by feeding the dog and exercising it by walking the dog - please do not let the foster dog off-lead through. If the dog needs to see a vet, you will need to make an appointment and take the dog, but we can pay any vet costs. The dog will be covered by OUR insurance, so you will not have to insure the dog yourself. You will also be responsible for flea and worm treatment for the dog while in your care.

That is completely up to you. Some owners that surrender their dogs love to know how they are getting on for th first few months, and enjoy receiving photos, but if you would prefer not to keep in touch, we fully understand.

This completely depends on the dog you are fostering. If you have any time constraints, please make us aware of these when we start the foster procedure.

We know not everyone will be in a place where they can offer an OUR dog either a permanent or temporary home, but there are many other ways that you can help our cause.

Any donations, no matter how small are always welcomed and should be made payable to:

• Account Number: 92722431

• Sort Code: 608371

• Account Name: O.U.R Dog Foundation C.I.C

Alternatively, just something as simple as sharing a post for us on Facebook or Instagram, could lead to one of our dogs finding the perfect home.

Thanks so much for your support.