Volunteers are needed for everything we do—sheltering animals, arranging transport and facilitating adoptions. Fosters play an extremely important role in rescue because owner surrenders or dogs coming out of shelters need places to go. Many shelters are full, so rescue groups like ours are needed more than ever to save lives. And we need more fosters—like you. To expedite the approval process, NGPR is now doing virtual home visits via Zoom and Facetime. Approval to foster should come within a few days. If you completed a volunteer form before and were approved, then please email us to let us know of your current interest.
Our foster homes are an integral part of the adoption process, giving dogs loving temporary homes until a suitable forever home can be found. Spending time in a foster home will provide a smooth transition for a dog into their “forever home”. While the dog is with you, your input will help rescue volunteers find the best possible match for the dog. Please read our Fostering Guidelines to understand how fostering works.
We currently need puppy fosters to care for dogs under six months old. There are several options — puppy litters, multiple puppies and single puppies. They come from owner surrenders, shelters and adult pregnant mamas. Those who wish to foster puppies should have another dog (or two) in the home. The dogs should be accepting of puppies, be willing to play and be a positive role model to help puppies develop mentally and psychologically. Fosters should be home more often than not and have a securely fenced yard. A willingness to work with puppies on house breaking, crate training and leash skills is essential. Teaching basic house manners such as not jumping on counters and furniture and a willingness to keep a litter together until at least 11 weeks old are all part of the job. NGPR provides puppy food and vetting and we are here to guide and help you every step of the way. If you are someone who loves puppies and everything that comes with them—kisses, cuddles, cleaning up after, training, more kisses and are open to our requirements, please put in an application to foster today—our PYRS and puppies need you!
NGPR provides our fosters with flea/tick and heartworm medication every month. We will cover all approved drugs, medical expenditures and vet visits. This means we cover just about everything for foster dogs if the cost is approved in advance. If you foster two or more dogs, we provide food. We will do our best to find the right dog for your situation with regard to kids, cats and other dogs. If the dog is not a good match, we will move the dog to another foster home. Some of the dogs who need immediate foster homes are listed daily on Facebook, so check in there for the latest dogs we are trying to help.
The most critical states where NGPR needs fosters are Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida. If you are in another state, please contact the rescue for your state at nationalpyr.org/contacts or fill out the form and we will forward it to your closest Pyr rescue.
If you are interested in fostering, you should be able to answer yes to all the following:
Please note that Great Pyrenees can exhibit same sex aggression. It is more likely that two males can cohabitate than two females. This tendency makes us extremely reluctant to place a female Pyr in a household where there are other female dogs. Same sex aggression issues do not only affect Pyrs. You can read more about this here. |
Fostering has added benefits for dog owners. Volunteers are alerted to training classes given through the country’s leading animal welfare organizations and our own trainers/behavioralists are available for consults. Fostering through NGPR can help you tune in to the unique behavioral characteristics and nuances of the breed that makes you a better dog owner in general. Please complete our online volunteer application so we can contact you. Completion of the application form and process is required of all new fosters. If you are an approved adopter from NGPR or one of our affiliated rescues, please include the name of the group and dog on the volunteer application so we can expedite your application.
