THANK YOU for being an NCBR foster home! You are the heart of this organization – without foster homes we couldn’t save these wonderful dogs. This page contains general information to help you be a successful foster home. Please take a few minutes to review this material and bookmark this page for future reference.
PLEASE NOTE: It is imperative that we have your correct current address on file. If you move, please notify your mentor or Diondra, or complete the form below immediately so that we can update our records so that items such as Red Tags and heartworm pills get sent to the right place on time.
Foster Home Resources & Information
Red Tag
Shortly after your foster dog arrives at your home, you will be mailed a Red Tag for him/her. In addition to NCBR’s contact info, each tag has a unique number that is assigned to that particular dog. Please attach this tag to your foster dog’s collar as soon as you receive it. He/she should wear this tag at all times. In the event that your foster dog is lost, the Red Tag is the first identifier to help get the dog back to NCBR quickly and safely.
Heartworm Preventative
All NCBR dogs are put on heartworm preventive for their duration in our care. The heartworm dose for your foster dog will be mailed to you each time it comes due.
Medical Needs & Issues
For non-emergency medical issues, please consult the Foster Home Packet. If that doesn’t have the information you need, then contact your mentor.
In the event of an emergency, contact your mentor or Diondra at (916) 847-3583.
Behavioral Issues or Concerns
NCBR has and is willing to get professional behavioral assessments that include intervention plans for dogs with more than minor issues. Contacted your mentor with any concerns you have (please also cc Diondra on these emails).
If you have behavioral concerns about your foster dog, the first thing you should do is consult the Foster Home Packet, which has a lot of really good advice and information in it. You should also contact your mentor and, if you both determine that further intervention is needed, you can then contact Diondra via email. In that message, state the problem you are having with your foster dog along with your name, phone number and the best time to call you. Diondra will get in touch with you as soon as possible.
Behavior Protocol
- Behavioral issues vary. Some issues are simple like potty training and some issues are more difficult to manage like reactivity or fear.
- PLEASE NOTE that if a foster dog bites a human, there is a LIABILITY protocol in the front of the foster home packet that must be followed. That protocol requires immediate intervention of the President or Executive Director.
- When a foster home notices a behavioral issue with a foster dog, the first step is to consult the foster home packet and contact the mentor. There are a number of issues with interventions discussed in the foster home packet.
- If further intervention is needed, either the foster home or the mentor should email Karen Heald. In the contact email, please identify the issue, associated factors and any interventions tried.
- Karen will contact the foster home to discuss the issue.
- Based on Karen’s assessment, she will either provide advice directly to the foster home regarding the behavioral issue OR she will contact a professional trainer and arrange for an in-home assessment and professional plan.
- If Karen feels the issue needs training at a board and train facility, she will notify administrative personnel to arrange.
- Karen will follow up with the foster home on the success of all interventions and plan accordingly with the foster home for further interventions.
- Please respond quickly to Karen requests for information regarding behavioral issues.
Foster Dog Profile
Every NCBR dog that is up for adoption gets their own profile page on our website. This is the main way we “advertise” available dogs to potential adopters. Therefore, it is very important to have a complete profile of your foster dog, including a bio, pictures and, if possible, videos. After you have had your foster dog long enough to have a good feeling for his/her personality (usually 1 to 3 weeks) please complete the Foster Dog Profile form so that we can update your foster dog’s profile on our website. If you’ve already submitted the form and have updates or new pictures/videos, please email those directly to admin@ncbr.org.
Foster Home Documents
Foster Home Contacts
In non-emergency situations, your first line of contact should be your assigned Foster Home Mentor (see list below). If you cannot reach your mentor, please contact Diondra.