Foster Process

The Foster Program is currently closed. If you would like to be notified of our next training session, please fill out this form to be notified when it’s open.

Our Foster Program offers a wonderful opportunity to get to know the Shiba Inu breed and experience their unique personalities firsthand. The foster process is just as extensive as the adoption process, ensuring that each dog is placed in a safe, loving, and responsible home. As a foster, you’ll be notified about dogs in DC SIR’s care before they are available to the general public.

Fostering can be an excellent option for those who don’t yet have a Shiba and want to see if the breed is the right fit before making a lifelong commitment. It’s also a great way for current pet owners to see how their dog interacts with another dog in the home.

By opening your home, you are truly saving a life. Sometimes we only have hours to find a safe place for a dog before it’s too late. Without our foster families, DC SIR simply could not operate or continue rescuing dogs in need.

Before you apply to foster, please see that you meet these requirements:

  • You must reside in VA/DC/MD and be able to meet monthly driving requirements to:

    • Adoption events

    • Vet appointment (usually just 1)

    • Pick up your dog/supplies and

    • Be available (near your home) for final meet and greets.

    • Never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment.

Due to liability issues, homes with children under 12 years old are not eligible to join the DC SIR foster program. If you do not meet these requirements and would like to volunteer, we have other opportunities available.

Complete the DC SIR Foster Application: Fill out the DC SIR Foster Application.

Phone Interview: Once we receive a completed Foster Application, a DC SIR volunteer will e-mail you to schedule a phone interview.  We ask that prior to the call you:  1. Have researched the breed 2. Researched our training philosophy and 3. Read our nutritional information. The call will include questions about your current pets and their temperament. The interview will focus on your personal experience with dogs and your current lifestyle, to match the best fit with your experience.

Reference Checks: If we move forward, DC SIR will contact the references/veterinarians listed on your Foster Application to obtain additional information.

Home Visit: Two DC SIR volunteers will coordinate this with you. All parties living in the home must be present for the entire home visit. All pets residing in the home must also be present during the home visit. We may bring a ‘test’ dog to see how they interact with your current pets and family members.

Welcome Documents and Forms: You will be required to read our policies and Foster Guide and complete forms to join the DC SIR Foster group.

DC SIR Foster Listserv: You will be officially added to our active foster mailing list. E-mails are sent out with pictures (when available) of rescued dogs. Sometimes we have mere hours, other times we have several days to pull a dog before s/he gets PTS (put to sleep). Please provide an e-mail address that will be viewed often. We don’t send many e-mails. Please volunteer only if you plan to commit to helping the dog. Most dogs are in a foster home from 2 weeks to 2 months.

Adoption: You may apply to adopt your foster dog after the 2-week assessment. However, you are not guaranteed the dog. You will be required to follow all steps of the adoption process as listed on our adoption page.