My Foster Dog was Returned: Now What?
Let’s not shy away from it…returns happen. Luckily we don’t see these often! Muddy Paws Rescue’s rate of return for 2021 was 6.7%, whereas the nationwide average is reported to be between 7% - 20%. Nonetheless, these are a sad reality of the rescue world. Sometimes this is due to unfortunate circumstances, or sometimes a dog just isn’t the right fit for the home they are in. While every return is different, there are common questions that you may have when being asked to foster a dog that is being returned to us.
Why was my foster dog returned?
We will always let you know the reason why your foster dog was returned and will be transparent in giving you all the information we have about the situation. We also welcome any questions, and will always answer them to the best of our ability. Dogs can be returned for a variety of reasons. Studies show that the majority of pets are surrendered due to circumstances outside of their owner’s control, such as unemployment, housing restrictions, divorces, or other sudden life changes. Some dogs are also returned for medical or behavioral challenges, in which case we will always offer adopters support to try to keep the dog in their home. However, sometimes these situations still end in returns due to adopters being unable to care for the dog’s particular needs.
Does this make the adopter a bad person?
Absolutely not! It’s easy to say, “I would never return my dog—I would stick with them through any situation that came up!” While we certainly love the sentiment, it is important to acknowledge that it is a profound privilege to be able to make that statement. Being able to provide pet-friendly housing, everyday care, boarding, training, and any of the other things an adopter may need to keep their dog requires an enormous amount of resources—either financial, in the form of a support system, or both. It is a sad truth that not everyone is in a position to make those sacrifices, though they more often than not would like to. Ultimately, no matter the situation, the adopter is doing the responsible and loving thing by returning their dog to MPR so they can have a second chance at finding their forever home - for good this time!
What happens next?
When a foster dog is returned, we will typically ask their previous foster if they are available to take them back. This is usually the ideal situation, since the dog will have familiar company and surroundings. Plus we know they would be overjoyed to see their former human again, and vice versa! However, we understand that sometimes a foster may not be in a position to take their dog back when they are returned. In this case, our team will work on finding another foster who is available and ready to set the dog up for a successful new adoption.
Once you confirm you can foster a returned dog, we will talk through any information you may need to know about the situation and discuss if any additional support may be needed, like a vet visit or training session. Next, we will begin coordinating with you and the adopter to find a time and place for the dog’s handoff. We will also make sure that you get any supplies you may need, such as a crate or collar and leash. Depending on the nature of the return and on your availability, returns may happen at adoption events, directly with the adopter, or with staff as an intermediary.
I just brought my foster dog home! Now what?
Once a dog has been returned to our care, they may enter into a brief wait period before being made adoptable again, depending on the length of time that the dog has been out of MPR’s care. For dogs who were adopted some time ago, we like to wait a few days before making them adoptable so that we can get to know them again! For dogs who were returned shortly after adoption, however, they may be made adoptable immediately if we feel like there is no more information we need to learn about them first. Once your dog is available for adoption, we will begin sending you invitations to our weekly adoption events.
What if I want to adopt?
Sometimes returns, while sad, can almost feel like they’re meant to be. We’ve seen cases where a dog was adopted, only for their foster to realize that they were ‘The One That Got Away’...until they came back to them again! If you want to adopt your foster dog after they’ve been returned, let your Foster Buddy know right away. Remember that you will only get automatic preference before a dog is made available online again—if you apply to adopt after that, your application will be processed in the order in which it was received.
While we’re always disappointed to learn that an adoption didn’t work out, our priority when a dog is returned is to make sure that we are doing everything we can to set them up for success so they can find a new forever home. As the foster, you are such an important part of this process, as you help them through a transition back to foster care and give them the support they need until they’re ready to be scooped up by a new family. Remember, if you ever need help or have any questions along the way, your Foster Buddy is just a text away!
