All about fostering with Giant Hearts

1. The first step is filling out our Foster Application. 
2. Application Review - Once we receive your foster application we will begin reviewing and will be in touch within 48 hours. 
3. Home Visit - In person or virtual. 
4. Foster training through Maddie's Fund - A fosters are required to attend the Maddie's Fund Shelter and Rescue Training online course. Once we receive your certificate of completion you will move on to step 5. 
5. Foster Contract - Once we receive your signed foster contract we will share the link to our foster and volunteer group. 

Our foster requirements are similar to our adoption requirements. You can find more detail in our Adoption FAQ.

• Appropriate sized crate (as necessary) 
• Leash and Collar (This stays with the foster)
• Monthly Flea, Tick and Heartworm Prevention
• GHGDR Covers all medical expenses
• Assistance with transportation to / from appointments 
• Potential adopter application review, prior to meet and greets

• Providing your foster with a home and food, as you would any pet of your own
• Providing exponential amounts of love, comfort, safety and security
• Provide photos and a biography to help them get adopted
• Helping your foster learn basic manners
• Helping with your fosters adoption process
• Helping transport your foster to appointments when able
• Open and honest communication with the rescue team

Although we love when dogs make their way to us healthy, sterilized and up to date on vaccinations, that's not generally the case. All dogs will have the following before being available for adoption: 

• Rabies Vaccine
• Distemper / Parvovirus (DA2PPV) 
• Bordetella 
• Heartworm Test 
• Scheduled Sterilization 

Heartworm Positive Dogs - "Slow Kill" Method. This method is a viable alternative to using arsenic injections. "Slow Kill" is not as harsh on the dog. Giant Hearts has seen multiple successes using this method and fully covers the cost :

• Doxycycline Treatment - 28 days at 10mg/kg twice daily
•  Moxidectin Treatment - (Advantage Multi Prevention) Monthly until they test negative.

"Cherry Eye" - If a dog comes to us with cherry eye, we pay for surgery to fix it. 

A representative of Giant Hearts has to schedule or sign off on all appointments. We will try to schedule you at a location convenient to you.