Fostering is the backbone of what we do — we cannot exist as a rescue if people are not willing to provide shelter for the pugs while we search for their forever homes. Not only does fostering provide a healthy atmosphere for a pug, it helps us get to know the dog too. This information becomes key to finding just the right home for their unique personality.

To be a foster parent, you must be able to take a dog into your home and work with it on basic skills.

Fosters are responsible for:

• Giving the pug its food and water
• Giving the pug plenty of love and attention
• Exercising the pug
• Performing basic grooming on the pug (brushing, bathing, etc.)
• Working with the pug to learn basic skills and encourage good behavior
• Ensuring the pug is kept indoors and is only outdoors with supervision
• Facilitating veterinary care including wellness checks and any follow-up procedures
• Evaluating prospective adopter’s applications and home visit notes
• Submitting updates to the Foster Coordinator
• Bringing the pug to Meet & Greets
  • Most Meet & Greets are in Omaha or Lincoln
  • While you are not required to attend every Meet & Greet, pugs who attend these events tend to be adopted more quickly. Meet & Greets are one of the primary ways potential adopters can meet the available pugs
  • If you cannot personally attend an event, Pug Partners may be able to provide a volunteer to pick up and drop off the foster pug

Pug Partners Provides:

• Quality food to feed the pug
• Veterinary care and any medications the pug may need
• A harness and lead/leash
• Guidance for any questions or concerns

Fostering FAQ’s

Q: What are the basic responsibilities of a foster home?

A: A foster companion will care for the pug as they would their own pet, providing a safe, secure and stable environment, as well as food and companionship. Basic training and exercise, with generous amounts of patience and love will also be supplied.

Q: How long will the pug be with me?

A: The fostering period can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks to several months. To minimize stress on the pugs, we will only move them to a second foster home in the case of an emergency.

Q: Is it okay if the pug is alone during the work day?

A: Yes. Most of our foster parents have full-time jobs and are away from home several hours a day. As long as the pug is kept safely indoors, it should be fine. Just pay close attention to how much food/water the pug intakes before you leave in the morning.

Q: Can I still foster if I have other pets?

A: Yes, we will consider homes with pets that meet the following basic requirements:

• Must be spayed/neutered
• Must be current on all vaccinations
• Must not be aggressive towards other animals

Q: Can I still foster if I have children?

A: Yes. We request that children know the “do’s and don’ts” around dogs since we do not always know the temperament of the pugs we rescue.

Q: I’m afraid that if I foster a pug, I’ll get very attached and it will be too painful to give it up.

A: It can be tough to let go, but you’ll feel joy in sending a pet to a wonderful new family. Remember, every pug that is adopted from will make room for another pug who desperately needs a foster home. We can’t operate as a rescue without foster homes to care for the pugs.