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

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Hermit crabs

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Put up signs in the neighborhood and get the word out
Your neighbors might need a dog walker or simply a companion for their dog if they work late.
I would make a couple signs and email neighbors you know.
I would say, stay at home mom and her family looking to enjoy some time with a body without a long term commitment. No fees. We just want to spend some time with an animal. Do you work long hours or need any help with your pet? Let our family keep your pet busy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Put up signs in the neighborhood and get the word out
Your neighbors might need a dog walker or simply a companion for their dog if they work late.
I would make a couple signs and email neighbors you know.
I would say, stay at home mom and her family looking to enjoy some time with a body without a long term commitment. No fees. We just want to spend some time with an animal. Do you work long hours or need any help with your pet? Let our family keep your pet busy.

+1

[Anonymous]

Can you foster?

[Anonymous]

Look into groups that raise guide dogs in your area. I'm in a different part of the country and the group I'm involved in (Guide Dogs for the Blind) is not on the east coast, but I know there are other groups.

Actually raising one of the puppies is about an 18 month commitment, but the groups are always looking for sitters. In our group, this involves going to the once a month meetings (2 hours on a Sunday afternoon), and when it works for you, sitting for anywhere from a day to 2 weeks. You do need to be committed to handling the dogsame the way the group teaches (for example, ours potty on concrete for the first 6 months, no pottying on walks, using certain commands), but it really is reasonable and you understand the reasons for it once you go to the meetings.

I couldn't commit to raising a dog, but the sitting is perfect to get my fix and do it on my schedule. They bring the food, crate, toys, etc and the people in the club are just awesome people. And it's really rewarding to be part of something that does such great work.

Check out what guide puppy raising clubs might be in your area and then see if they have a need for temporary sitters.

[Anonymous]

Contact a rescue about fostering a dog/cat.

[Anonymous]

Oops, missed the cat allergy part.

[Anonymous]

Fostering for a rescue group or dog sitting--look into dog stay.com or similar.

[Anonymous]

I dog sit through Rover.com and also foster through Lucky Dog Animal Rescue. These are both good options if you want to have a dog short term. Most of the LDAR fosters I've had find homes within a few days or a week. The longest I had one was 3 months. If you're interested in dog sitting through Rover, you can use my referral link to sign up: http://refer.rover.com/v2/share/6347453896723554083

[Anonymous]

You sound like a great person to foster. We foster through Wolf Trap and like it (it's 2-3 weeks unlike other rescues).

[Anonymous]

You would 1000% be approved to foster. Any decent rescue would be thrilled to "kid test" their dogs before adopting them out. The vast majority of rescues are not nearly as picky with potential fosters as they are with adopters.

[Anonymous]

Foster a pet. No caged pets please.

[Anonymous]

Fostering is a good idea.

There are also pet sitting services you can do like Dog Vacay and Pet Stay (I think those are the names). I have a few friends who do services like this- they get to spend a lot of times with dogs but don't have the long term commitment, plus they make a little extra money! Win win.