One of the ways to volunteer for PAWS is to become a Foster Puppy Raiser! This is the first step in enhancing the independence and quality of life for a person living with a disability. Our volunteer Foster Puppy Raisers play a crucial part in our mission by providing future Assistance Dogs with a loving home, care, and basic obedience training.
Foster Puppies will live with volunteers until the pup is old enough to begin formal Assistance Dog training. You do not need training experience to foster a PAWS puppy! Our staff and our community of Foster Puppy Raisers will be here to support you every step of the way. Our foster puppies need homes from around the age of 8-12 weeks to 14-16 months. We know this can be quite a long volunteer commitment for some people, so we have a few Foster Puppy Volunteer options that will enable you to raise a puppy in a way that fits your lifestyle! This includes volunteering with a co-raiser or becoming a start/finish home housing the puppy for a shorter time period.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A FOSTER PUPPY RAISER
- Provide a loving home for the puppy
- Meet the puppy’s daily exercise and nutrition needs
- Attend monthly training classes provided by your local PAWS Puppy Club or PAWS Headquarters
- Work on training and basic commands at home
- Keep the puppy’s vaccinations and heartworm medications up to date
- Remember that the PAWS Foster Puppy Raiser community is here help! We will share tips and tricks, play dates, homes for puppy-sitting, and adorable photos
Learn more and apply on the PAWS website at: www.pawswithacause.org/raise-a-foster-puppy/