Becoming A Foster Family:
One of the most
valuable and appreciated services are those individuals and families
who train and care for our potential assistance dogs as Foster
Parents.
If you wish to foster one of our puppies, give them the care and
love they need - give us a call. Knowing that one of the puppies
you helped raise is now assisting a person with a physical
disability - can be one of life's great rewards.
Requirements: Love and respect for animals. The ability to return a socialized puppy to the organization to help someone in need.
Download our Foster Puppy Application: Foster Puppy Application (PDF file)
Foster Puppy Class Schedules:
Lansing Area Foster Puppy Outings/Training
Open to all FBI Foster
Puppies and placed dogs
- Foster Center: Lansing, MI - 200 N. Foster
Ave.48912
Starting April 29, 2010 from 6:30PM-8:00PM
Foster puppies are welcome to come to this class. - VFW Hall: Holt, MI -
Starting March 22, 2010 (2 classes, one at 6:00PM or 7:30PM)
Foster puppies are welcome to come to this class. - Diamonds In-The-Ruff Farm: Leslie, MI - 475
Vaughn Rd. 49251
Starting April 29, 2010 from 6:30PM-8:00PM
Foster puppies are welcome to come to this class.
Milford Area Foster Puppy Outings/Training
Open to all FBI Foster
Puppies and placed dogs
- Tuesdays - February 2, 9, 16, 23, March 2, 9, 16,
23, 30 2010: 7:30PM-8:30PM
Milford Presbyterian Church
238 N. Main St. - Milford, MI 48381
Foster Puppy FAQ's:
Frequently Asked Questions About
Becoming a Foster Raiser
1.
How much experience
do I need to be a foster raiser?
Absolutely none!
All you need is a desire to help other people.
FBI will give you all the guidance and support you need to
help raise a foster puppy.
2.
How much does it
cost to be a foster raiser?
There is no charge to be a foster raiser.
Currently, FBI provides the following supplies to each foster
raiser: one crate, one
leash, one collar and an FBI cape.
We offer two options regarding dog food and vet services:
a)
FBI can provide dog
food and vet care (at our vet) for the duration of fostering.
b)
You can provide dog
food and vet care (at vet of your choice) for the duration of
fostering and deduct the amount spent on your tax return.
Because we are a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charity, any expenses
you incur for your puppy are allowable tax deductions.
Check with your tax preparer for more information.
3.
What kind of dog
would I get?
FBI primarily uses Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers
because of their size, natural retrieving instinct and their strong
desire to please people.
4.
How old are the
puppies when they are placed in their foster home?
How long would I have my puppy?
Most puppies are placed with their foster raiser between 8-12
weeks of age. Each puppy
matures at a different rate but most puppies come back to FBI
between 14 and 16 months.
5.
What kind of
training would I do with my foster puppy?
Foster raisers are required to enroll their puppy in a
minimum of one Puppy Kindergarten class and one Basic Obedience
class. FBI offers these
classes to foster raisers for free, however, some foster raisers are
unable to attend due to schedule conflicts.
In such cases, foster raisers must enroll in similar classes,
as approved by FBI. All
foster raisers must make arrangements for an FBI representative to
see their puppy at least once a month.
6.
Where and how often
do I have to socialize my puppy?
With appropriate permission, you can take your puppy to work,
to a store, to the movies, to a restaurant—practically anywhere.
We encourage 2 or 3 socialization outings each week.
7.
Can I raise a
foster puppy if I have my own dogs or cats?
Other pets teach foster puppies great socialization skills so
foster raisers with their own pets are certainly allowed to foster.
To encourage a strong bond with people, foster puppies can
not be placed in a home with more than 2 “keeper” dogs or in a home
with another puppy.
8.
What else should I
know?
Foster puppies must be on a leash or in an enclosed (fenced)
area whenever they leave the house.
For liability protection, foster raisers are required to have
homeowner or renters insurance.
9.
I am not able to
take a puppy for a year.
Are there other ways I can help?
We are always in need of puppy sitters who can watch a puppy
or older dog for a week or two.
We also need people who can take older dogs for two or three
months at a time. We can
work around any availability that you have.
10.
Where do I sign up?
If you are interested in being an FBI foster raiser or puppy
sitter, please contact us via our Email
(
info@fbidogs.org ) or
telephone number (517-589-0477).
We would be happy to tell you more about how you can help us
help people in need!
For Better
Independence is a 501(c)(3) organization that runs strictly on
donations and fundraisers. All donations are tax deductible.
Download Our Brochure
The brochure should open up into a new window so you wont get taken away from where you were. They are in a picture format.
Hearing Dogs:
~ Help people live independent lives~ Provide companionship
~ Alert to crying babies, telephones, doorbells and other noises
Service Dogs:
~
Help people live independent lives
~ Provide companionship
~ Pull a wheelchair
~ Retrieve dropped items
~ Get help, or retrieve a telephone in emergencies
~ Perform other tasks as needed