It took a while, but we’ve got an official foster-to-adopt program! This route is a great option for those of you who are sure you’re ready to adopt but aren’t 100% on which pup is the right match for you. Here’s how it works:
The Benefits
You’ll have the chance to foster for one week to find out whether the individual, age group, breed mix, etc. works for your lifestyle and capabilities. You'll be paired up with a pup we think is likely to be your furry soulmate, and you’ll receive setup support before picking him/her up — that includes help making sure you have the right supplies and expectations, and you'll be invited to join a Zoom info session on tips and tricks for welcoming in a foster dog. You'll have the full support of our foster team during your foster-to-adopt week the way any foster parent would, kind of like concierge service. No worries if the match isn't right!
The Process
STEP ONE: Submit an adoption application, then email fostertoadopt@socialteesnyc.org to let us know that your app is ready to be processed. We can’t guarantee you’ll be approved, of course, but good luck!
STEP TWO: Once your adoption application is approved, we’ll email you from the email address above if a pup pops up in need of a foster home that we think might be a good candidate for your next furry family member. We also encourage you to keep an eye on our social media for posts requesting foster homes. If one catches your eye that you think could be a fit, email fostertoadopt@socialteesnyc.org.
STEP THREE: Once you’re scheduled to pick up a pup, you’ll sign the foster-to-adopt agreement and the foster-to-adopt program rules document. You’ll then get a hefty serving of information on how to set yourself up for success.
STEP FOUR: You’ll have one full week to foster and must let us know your decision on whether you’d like to adopt by 10am on the 7th day. If you choose to adopt, super! We finalize the adoption. If it didn’t work out, no biggie — we require that you foster for at least another full week to prevent undue stress on your foster pup while we look for a new foster home. You’re welcome to foster-to-adopt again as you continue to look for your pup.
IMPORTANT NOTE: We don't move dogs to foster-to-adopt homes if they are already in stable foster environments. Dogs eligible for the foster-to-adopt program are those that are brand new to us or that need new foster homes (if their foster parent is traveling, for instance). Just so you know what to expect with regard to frequency of dogs becoming available for the foster-to-adopt program, the flow works in three ways:
a. A few Saturdays a month, we rescue large groups of dogs, most of which will be eligible
b. Sometimes dogs already in foster homes need switches, this happens a few times a week
c. We rescue a dog or two at a time randomly from local shelters, this happens a few times a month
The Rules
1. You are only permitted to foster-to-adopt a dog that you would be approved to adopt with regard to the animal’s age, size,
temperament, exercise and training requirements, etc. Kind of a no brainer, but just putting it out there.
2. You’ve got to let us know whether you intend to adopt your foster dog by 10am on the 7th day of your foster-to-adopt period, and you must finalize the adoption (sign the adoption contract and pay the adoption fee) by 7pm of the same day if you choose to adopt.
3. You’ve got to commit to fostering for a minimum of two weeks. It’s super stressful for the animal to have to bounce around, so we need to try to minimize foster switches. If a true emergency arises and you can’t foster for two weeks, you have to provide us with a minimum of 24 hours notice.
4. The dog you foster via the foster-to-adopt program will be listed publicly on our website, Petfinder, etc. while you’re fostering so that we can collect backup applications if you choose not to adopt. The dog’s listing will note that he/she is in a foster-to-adopt home and that we’re collecting waitlist applications. The listing will also note the date and time that the dog will become available to other approved applicants.
5. You’ll be required to provide photos and descriptions of your foster dog to us and/or bring your foster dog to our office for
photos or checkups as requested. We like to follow along on their progress as they settle in with you, and we need to make sure everyone’s doing alright.
6. We will be financially responsible for some of the vet care, you take on the rest. That’s a pretty fair deal if your intent is to adopt. :) Social Tees will ONLY cover the cost of what we define as standard veterinary care for significant symptoms (such as initial treatment for eye and ear infections, upper respiratory infections, intestinal parasites) exclusively through a veterinarian of our choosing, and you are financially responsible for any other veterinary care you may need or choose to seek during during your foster-to-adopt period including treatment for injuries sustained during my foster-to-adopt period or a standard wellness exam.
7. You may request to have a wellness exam done on your foster dog prior to making your adoption decision — if you choose to, you are financially responsible for the entire visit including the exam fee and any recommended treatment. Also, this exam must happen on or before the 5th day of your foster-to-adopt period.
8. If you choose to adopt, you’re financially responsible for any and all veterinary care post adoption. This should be obvious too, but just for good measure… This is including but not limited to treatment for any health issues that arose during your foster-to-adopt period and completion of vaccine series that were started while the dog was in our care. (Puppies require one initial vaccine and up to three boosters for core vaccines before age 16 weeks; adults require boosters for core vaccines three to four weeks after initial vaccines.)
9. We can’t email you medical records before you adopt, but we can answer any questions you have about veterinary care status via email, and you can schedule a time to come look at the pup’s records at our office. If you’d like to do this before making your adoption decision, you must schedule the medical records meeting to happen on or before the 5th day of your foster-to-adopt period, and we ask that you schedule the meeting at least two days in advance.
10. You are responsible, financially and otherwise, for providing all necessary pet care supplies during your foster-to-adopt
period including but not limited to: food, leash and collar/harness, wee pads, pet toys, bedding, a crate/pen. We’ll send you a list of suggestions!
11. We can’t provide or cover the cost of grooming or professional training for any reason during your foster-to-adopt period. If something comes up you need help with, we’ll walk you through it though.
12. You can’t bathe your foster dog or have him/her groomed without express written permission from us. This is for health
and safety reasons. (All dogs need a decompression period in a new home before it’s safe to bathe them, and many were too recently spayed/neutered for a bath or their incision sites will open.)
13. You can NOT take your foster dog to any dog run or public or unenclosed off leash area, including dog friendly cafés. You can NOT leave your foster dog tied up anywhere, unattended or otherwise.
Still with us?
Submit an adoption app and email fostertoadopt@socialteesnyc.org!