The purpose of a foster home is to place a rescued basset immediately into a normal family situation - NOT A KENNEL - as soon as practical. It is a chance for the dog to become part of a family, experiencing love, comfort, stability, consistancy and social interaction with both humans and other household pets that many have not experienced before.

Ideally, a rescued basset spends no longer than thirty days in a foster home. An extended time is sometimes necessary if the dog is recovering from severe conditions. We try not to move our bassets from home to home, and hope, should you decide to adopt one of our bassets, that you will consider the adoption a commitment for the basset's life. Of course, the foster parents always have the first right of refusal to adopt the basset they are fostering.

A foster parent is responsible for the rescued basset's basic needs such as food and shelter. A fenced area large enough to allow the hound room to run and play is a must. Basic health requirements such as vaccinations and spaying/neutering are paid for by Basset Rescue. If the rescue needs veterinary follow-up care, the foster Care Director will discuss any arrangements.

Please NEVER use a choke chain on a basset unless going for a walk. Dogs have died by hanging when the choke chain gets caught on a fence picket, nail, etc. The easiest way to handle this is to leave the choke chain on your leash, and when it's time to go for a walk, simply slip the chain over the basset's head.

A basset's security depends on people and places he is familiar with. Having lost both, the basset is apt to be frightened and insecure. It may appear timid or slightly aggressive or hyper-active. The way you introduce your new basset to your present dog is very important. A little effort on your part NOW can mean the difference between success or failure. Remember, all dogs can be territorial, and your own dog considers YOU and your yard ITS OWN. For this reason, it is best to have the basset and your present dog meet on "neutral" territory. Arrange to meet the new basset away from your house...down the block, across the street, or at a nearby park. THEN GO FOR A WALK TOGETHER, both dogs on leashes of course. Keep walking...this is not the time for the dogs to do their ritual sniffing. After a short time (if the walk is going well), allow them to get acquainted...then turn around and take them TOGETHER into the yard. Now your present dog has a "house guest" instead of an intruder. it's fun to watch dogs form a new relationship.

BE CALM AND FAIR. You should make an effort to be as calm and relaxed as possible. Don't smother the new arrival. And remember, you have two hands! One for the old dog and one for the new. Also, be careful that the children (if any) don't neglect your first dog due to the excitement of the new arrival.

Foster homes allow Basset Rescue to better evaluate a rescue. Because some of our rescued bassets come from shelters, we do not always know if the Basset is house trained, likes children, cats and other dogs. The rescued basset may be frightened and insecure. A foster parent helps us to get to know the rescued basset a little better and consequently, the chances of placing it in the Perfect Home increases dramatically! Fostering is not always an easy task. In fact, it can be quite trying at times. The foster parent's patience and understanding is one of the keys to Basset Rescue's success.

For more information, please contact our Foster Care Coordinator or call our Rescue Line at 1-800-273-2513, extension 03.

Click here for an Foster Home Application, print, complete and mail to BRCC  3443 N. Parkway, Box 31, Fresno, CA  93722.

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