Tips On Fostering Puppies In South Africa Before Rehoming
And just like that we decided to become a foster home for puppies!!!!! I know, I know!!!!! I do crazy sh….. like this.
Since Lola died the kids have begged me for a new puppy, but the right time has just not come and honestly my heart is still a little broken about Lola and what happened to her.
New Beginnings Fostering Puppies
We went to a Sunday market in Fourways one Sunday and there they were! All these adorable puppies up for adoption. Needles to say, I didn’t get much of the market but landed up signing us up to become a foster home for puppies. Fast forward four weeks later, and we adopted four adorable puppies (3 brothers and 1 sister) in one go and our first go.
To myself and the kids, it’s been a joy ride. Emphasis on JOY. My husband is still getting use to the idea. I signed up for no longer than 3 months at a time because I don’t want the kids to get too attached and then have to say good-bye after like six months or something.
The nice thing for me about fostering puppies is the idea of the kids taking care of something that’s “alive”, something real, something that needs attention, care and love. To me this forms part of our homeschooling adventure.
The whole point about homeschooling is to teach the kids things they will never learn in school, and if they learn it in school, over here it will be a more practical lesson than any text book can ever teach.
Check out our YouTube video here to see what it was like when we first fetched our first bunch.
https://youtu.be/gZtkpd7z-ls
Some Ups & Some Downs
Yes we’ve learnt a lot and yes it’s only been a little over a week. Socks unfortunately didn’t make it after being diagnosed with Parvo disease three days after arrival but we still got to love him literally to death until he went away to where they take care of the Parvo puppies.
Fostering puppies is so rewarding, with the ups and the downs but it also requires patience, dedication, and love. Here are some of my tips to help you successfully foster puppies:
Prepare your home: Puppy-proof your living space or wherever you choose to keep the little babies.
Socialization: Expose the puppy to different people to help them become well-adjusted and confident.
Proper nutrition: Consult with a veterinarian to determine the best diet for the puppy's age, breed, and health condition. Feed them high-quality puppy food and establish a regular feeding schedule.
Training and discipline: Begin basic training as early as possible using positive reinforcement techniques. Reward good behavior with treats, praise, or toys and avoid punishment-based methods, as they can be counterproductive.
Regular exercise: Puppies have a lot of energy, so provide them with plenty of opportunities to play and exercise. Short, supervised play sessions can help them burn off excess energy and prevent destructive behavior.
Grooming and hygiene: Depending on the breed, puppies may require regular grooming. Establish a grooming routine early to help the puppy get used to being handled.
Patience and consistency: Understand that puppies are learning and may have accidents or display challenging behaviors. Be patient, consistent, and understanding as they adapt to their new environment.
Bonding and affection: Spend quality time with the puppies to build a strong bond and trust. Show them love, affection, and attention to create a positive and nurturing environment.
Monitoring interactions with other pets: If you have other pets at home like us, supervise their interactions with the foster puppy to ensure everyone gets along safely.
Maintain records: Keep track of the puppy's progress, health records, and any behavioural changes. This information can be valuable when the puppy is ready for adoption.
Be prepared to let go: This is the hardest part, especially for kids. Fostering involves caring for a puppy until they find a forever home. While it can be difficult to say goodbye, remember that your efforts helped prepare the puppy for a loving home.
Remember that every puppy is unique, and some may require more time, attention, and training than others. Fostering is a significant commitment, but it can make a tremendous difference in a puppy's life and future well-being.
There are so many wonderful organisations out there, rescuing dogs and puppies from the streets and bad situations. We can all make a difference somewhere but this is the place where we decided to make a difference.
You never know what is coming. All 3 our last babies are now in hospital as well with Parvo, but you would never have guessed the day we got them and the amount of joy we’ve gotten from these pups have been priceless. Once they recover they will all return.
If you are interested in adopting or fostering puppies, or adult dogs you can get in contact with Happy Yappers. Gauteng based. You can either adopt, foster or volunteer. Get in contact with Kirst in 074 445 4943 and follow them on Instagram / Facebook @happy_yappers_npo
In the mean time we are waiting for our babies to return. I think next time we will choose puppies a little older and fully vaccinated but for now we are just so in love with Jones, Hudson and Peaches. Rest in peace Socks, the three days we had you, we adored you.
Much Love
Maris
