Questions about rescue groups and being a foster
Anyways, we have a few local dog rescues here in Anchorage and I am thinking about applying to be a foster. However, we do have two cats, and Jim is a little frightened that having a "stranger" dog in the house will put our cats at risk. I think some of you foster and also cats. I was hoping someone would share their experiences or recommend some ideas/questions to aks, etc. about fostering and cats. Anything is greatly appreciated! Thank you, Danielle |
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| Hi, Danielle.
I have a 12 year old cat. I think it depends in part on the cat. Mine is very dog friendly (and vice versa) He stands his ground, yet doesn't get into it with dogs. My most recent foster was with me for about 6 months and he was admittedly very happy to see her leave as she would pester him unmercifully, so I do understand your concern. She's the first foster I've had that he finally reached a point where he started retaliating. There was one other high prey drive dog he sized up and refused to come out around. Other than that there really haven't been any problems and he's generally been able to train fosters to pick up the slack from my dogs and keep him well groomed and with nice, hairy pillows to snuggle on 
The nice thing about OES is that although many have high prey drive, most are more into herding moving critters than snacking on them if that makes sense. I would probably be more concerned fostering in a situation where you never know what breed/mix you're dealing with as some breeds are bred to kill small critters. Then again, you tend to know this, so hopefully dogs with this propensity (and even within breeds, it will vary of course) are not fostered in homes with cats. And hopefully dogs are screened as to their reaction with cats before they go to a foster home, though that's not always possible. Mainly it works with my cat because of the way I have the house set up, There are dog-free zones he can frequent when he needs a time out and the cat himself is very good at sizing up a new dog and teaching them in an unexciting way that cats are people too. Well, you know what I mean 
If you have concerns, discuss them with whomever you end up contemplating fostering for and see what you feel comfortable with. I'm just thrilled that you're considering fostering. 
Kristine |
| We don't have a cat so if we need to know if a dog is cat-friendly, we have to find someone willing to share their cats with our dogs. Of all the dogs we've had, only one turned out to be a serious risk to kitties, which is why he ended up in rescue to begin with.
Most fosters are willing to gate off a room or two for their cats until they're sure they'll get along with a the dog. We're fortunate that our dogs usually find a permanent home rather quickly so keeping dogs and cats separate is not usually a problem. If we know there will be problems, we try to place the dog in a different foster home. |
| Hi:
I foster OES on a regular basis....and also have a number of cats. The first thing to do is let whichever rescue group you are willing to foster dogs for know that you have cats. They should never place a known cat killer with you. You may get a cat chaser....but that's easily managed. In addition, set up a couple of "safe" rooms for your cats - places they can get to that the dogs can't. You can use baby gates with a hole cut in the bottom so the cats can zoom through at high speeds. And last, whenever a dog comes into your home, observe it carefully. Keep a short leash on the dog at all times (you can pick up 1-2 ft leashes at your local pet store). This gives you a convenient handle...just in case. And last - thank you for considering fostering. Jennifer, Baxter, Cassiopia and Abigail |
| I have a cat and foster - both OES and bassets. Only one (an otherwise laid back basset) has ever gone after our cat.
Most groups take the existing pets into consideration when placing a foster in the home. So, not just cats, but bunnies, guine pigs, birds, etc. We have cockatiels too, so no dogs with a high prey drive for birds can come here either. We do have a cat safe area, but our cat pretty much rules the place - he picks his spot on the furniture, even claims the dogs beds, and no one challenges him. Not even our coonhound who hunts and has a very high prey drive. |
| Sounds like we all do pretty much the same thing. My cats have a dog free zone, too, where they can retire when they've had more than enough doggie fun for awhile.
I have only had one foster who was a real threat to cats. She actually killed two strays that made the mistake of crossing my fenced in yard.  So, of course, we placed her in a home where there were no small animals. She's a great dog, just can't be around little critters.
Do tell whoever you volunteer for what your limitations are. That way you won't be fostering dogs who are a risk for your cat(s). Good luck!  |
| I'll also jump in and repeat what most have already said:
Most rescues will not knowingly place a dog that would be at risk to cats in a cat household. If the cats are used to dogs they are usually the ones that set the stage for the relationship..most times if cats don't run..dogs don't chase. While I don't usually foster dogs (as three in my household is enough) I have numerous foster cats and bunnies. Eventually (through a baby gate) even cats not exposed to dogs become used to them and this makes them more highly adoptable. Having recently exposed cats and bunnies to a Pit Bull Pup, I realize anything is possible with good training, safe places, and strategic placing of gates. It's now 11 months and no problems (Ummm I was a failed foster and he's now in his forever home.) I shamelessly use him as a good will ambassador for his breed as he lives harmoniously with Merlin, Panda, and so many other creatures. Sigh it's hard not to fall in love with fosters, but when you see them go into great forever homes it's worthwhile and rewarding. Sometimes the reason they are in foster (from SPCA's) is because they were fading or depressed and didn't show well in their cages. Other times they need socialization or are recovering from medical problems. Each case is different and good rescues will try to give you an easy one your first time. Marianne |
Marianne wrote: Having recently exposed cats and bunnies to a Pit Bull Pup, I realize anything is possible with good training, safe places, and strategic placing of gates. It's now 11 months and no problems (Ummm I was a failed foster and he's now in his forever home.) I shamelessly use him as a good will ambassador for his breed as he lives harmoniously with Merlin, Panda, and so many other creatures.
Marianne Thank you 
Kristine |
| Thanks for all the great information. The house we will be purchasing has a great set-up. It was, once upon a time, a duplex that was converted to a single family home. So if they cat's need "a vacation", they can actually get to the downstairs area and we can close that to make it a dog free zone.
I am very excited to foster. I went and spoke to one of the rescue organizations this past weekend and I was a little thrown off by what they said. Apparently they shift the dogs every week, so it sounded like you got a new foster each week. I thought that might be a little hard on the dog. Wouldn't they be stressed always having a new home each week? Ravenmoonart suggested a different organization to me. So I think I am gonna contact them to see how they run. We probably won't be able to foster until after the wedding in August, but I wanted to start early on gathering as much information I could about fostering. |
avicayia wrote: I was a little thrown off by what they said. Apparently they shift the dogs every week, so it sounded like you got a new foster each week. I thought that might be a little hard on the dog. Wouldn't they be stressed always having a new home each week?
I've never heard of this arrangement. It certainly doesn't give the dog a chance to settle in and show it's "true colors" in its foster environment. Maybe they believe it prevents fosters from getting too attached? There are plenty of breed-specific and all-breed rescues out there. Find one you are comfortable with and give it a try. Some members here are so kind hearted that they volunteer for several groups at once.  (yes, 4dognight, I'm talking about YOU!) |
| All of my oes fosters have been fine with my cat
BUT, when we took in a few terriers the cat moved next door! |
| I think it's admirable that you are looking into fostering OES....I had the same concerns about opening my house having two senior cats with additude (one of which I recently lost). The floor plan in my home is all out in the open really, so there wouldn't have been anywhere for the cats to "run" if they had or wanted to.
Kudos to you for wanting to help the breed in the comfort of your own home!!
That in of itself speaks volumes. |
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