Can't get a permanent pet right now, what are our short-term options?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For various reasons such as overseas travel, visas, and possible allergy concerns for one of our children, we cannot get a permanent pet right now. However I really crave pet companionship!
We own a house in a pleasant SFH neighborhood with sidewalks, do not have a fence, and the busy downtown is two streets away. Our children are 6 and 11 and are the calm, responsible type. We have cared for chicks and fish before, but never anything as large and intelligent as a dog.
I stay home right now and could exercise and care for a dog. A puppy would be even better! Cats are out because of severe allergies.

Would we be good candidates for fostering? Is there another option for short-term pet care that I don't know about?

Thanks.

You have children, are not experienced with dogs, no barrier fence so fostering an unknown animal seems a sketch or risky thing to do. Real service dogs are in house bred by organizations. Puppy raising begins at 8 weeks and ends between 13-24 months. Raisers have previous puppy experience since these dogs are valuable.

Check out volunteering at Warrior Canine Connection. Would I volunteer at a shelter? Not after reading this http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/virginia/pet-killed-by-shelter-dog-in-front-of-owner/295160191

[Anonymous]

I've been fostering with Dogs Deserve Better NOVA. Really great, helpful director.

[Anonymous]

Hamster.
they have a 2 yr life span

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You have children, are not experienced with dogs, no barrier fence so fostering an unknown animal seems a sketch or risky thing to do. Real service dogs are in house bred by organizations. Puppy raising begins at 8 weeks and ends between 13-24 months. Raisers have previous puppy experience since these dogs are valuable.

Check out volunteering at Warrior Canine Connection. Would I volunteer at a shelter? Not after reading this http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/virginia/pet-killed-by-shelter-dog-in-front-of-owner/295160191

I agree fostering without a specific time frame is not a good idea with minimal animal experience and possible allergy concerns, but the short-term fostering may work.

I'm the poster who posted about Guide Dogs for the Blind. I can't speak for other organizations, but with GDB -- they are bred by the organization and the puppy raising is done by volunteers -- and every volunteer is at some point raising their first puppy. They welcome people new to dogs because they don't have to break beliefs/bad dog behaviors that aren't in line with how they need the dogs raised. I think the full-time puppy raising commitment would be too much for OP, but the puppy-sitting when full-time raisers need help would be perfect.

OP, the WCC suggestion is a great one too! But don't be scared off of checking into guide puppy raising groups, I've found them to be very welcoming to new people.

[Anonymous]

Lost dog and cat rescue also needs fosters. If it doesn't work out, you can return it to them and it can go back to the ranch to await a permanent home, so if allergy problems come up, you're not stuck with it for weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rats. Smart, short lived. Good pets if you get them young and train them.

Or so I'm told. I'd never get one myself.

They actually are great pets and you CAN train them to do tricks.

My boyfriend had one in college and it was very clever.

[Anonymous]

Rover.com!!! You get to set your parameters about what kinds of dogs you want to have, and people PAY you to hang out with their pups!

[Anonymous]

We regularly dogsit a friend's easy, lazy dog. It's awesome!

[Anonymous]

I don't have a link but theres a program through the military where you can foster a service members dog while they are deployed. You would be helping a dog and helping a person at the same time.