Could you offer your home and love to a foster hound? We desperately need people to offer their homes on a temporary basis! You don’t have to make a long-term commitment.... just provide love and care for a short time until an adoption is arranged!

What would you be required to do as a foster?

After a rescued basset has received its initial medical care, it needs to be placed into a temporary home until the adoption process is finalized. That’s where we need you! We do not ask you to spend any of your own money for vet care. We only ask that you provide food, love, and gentle care for your foster hound. If you can begin housetraining or socializing, that’s great! We want all our bassets to be "inside dogs", so if not already housetrained, it’s time to start the training process. However, we want you to be comfortable with the habits of your foster basset, so we’ll do the best we can to make the "right match", even in foster care. We also want to list your name and contact information underneath the picture of your foster basset on our website. This allows inquirers to contact you directly to ask you about what it’s like to live with this particular basset and find out its specific traits.  We do ask that you be brutally honest with inquirers about your foster’s habits, good and bad, so they have an honest assessment of the individual dog. Our Adoption Coordinator will appreciate your input in every way. However, you will never be asked to ultimately approve or disapprove a potential adopter--that is the responsibility of the Adoption Coordinator.

What are the benefits of being a foster home? 

We think that all our foster families will agree that it’s extremely rewarding to provide foster care for a rescued basset. You make all the difference in giving this dog a new life! Yes, it’s sometimes hard to let go, but don’t worry... you won’t be without one long unless you want to be! We’ll give you an endless supply if you let us! And, should you become a "foster failure" and decide to adopt, you receive the benefit of first choice over any other in adopting your foster. But please understand that if you do adopt, you still need to be able to foster for us - so please don't adopt beyond your capacity to help our rescue hounds! You are just tooooo valuable as a foster! :) - and yes, we understand that you'll want them all!!

How can I find out more about fostering? 
Contact us:

BHRA Foster Home Coordinator

How do I get started?  Just contact us and we will set up a home visit for you, just like we do when folks want to adopt from us. If you’re approved, we’ll send you a basset right away! If you do decide to foster, keep in mind that this new temporary member of your family will require some adjustment time, as any new addition would. Please be committed to giving this needy animal at least a week with you before you decide it may not "fit" in your home if problems do occur, though we will always remain receptive and responsive to your requests.... these babies have been around the block of life at least once, and they need stability and love above all. We can never express just how deeply we appreciate your commitment!

Of course, all of the trustees of BHRA are available to answer any questions you may have or suggestions on any problems that may arise. We are committed to making the foster experience a happy success for both the hounds and foster folks.  Any medical issues will be promptly handled by our Medical Coordinators, and heartworm prevention will be supplied to you each month by our Heartworm Prevention Coordinator.

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A Poem To My Foster Dog
by Diane Morgan/Copyright © 1999

I am the bridge
Between what was and what can be.
I am the pathway to a new life.
I am made of mush,
Because my heart melted when I saw you,
Matted and sore, limping, depressed,
Lonely, unwanted, afraid to love.
For one little time you are mine.
I will feed you with my own hand
I will love you with my whole heart
I will make you whole.
I am made of steel.
Because when the time comes,
When you are well, and sleek,
When your eyes shine,
And your tail wags with joy
Then comes the hard part.
I will let you go--not without a tear,
But without a regret.
For you are safe forever--
A new dog needs me now.