Foster a Beagle
Foster homes provide many benefits for our beagles who are awaiting their forever homes
Often, we do not know enough about a dog to determine what type of home would be best. Spending time in a foster home provides us with valuable information to aid in placement. It also gives the dog an opportunity to decompress a bit and begin to learn how to live in a home and be loved.
While fostering, we ask that you treat the dog as though they were part of your family.
Although we don’t expect you to train the dog, starting to work on the basics can make life easier for both you and the dog. The dogs are not house trained, but beagles are very intelligent and catch on quickly. With a little guidance and structure, it doesn’t take long to be accident free. We ask that you get some good photos of your foster and provide input as to the dog’s personality and placement needs. You will likely communicate with adoption counselors and potential adopters and facilitate meet and greets with your foster dog.
Happy Life Beagle Rescue covers all vet bills and provides preventatives and any necessary medications and prescription foods. If needed, we can provide supplies such as crates, leashes, adopt me vests etc.
“Foster dogs stay in our home for a while, but stay in our hearts forever”
Application process
Fosters are screened by the same application process as adopters as many fosters eventually become adopters.
Unfortunately, due to regulations in the state of Maine and the state of New Hampshire, we are unable to accept foster applications from those states.
Step #1: Submit an application via the form below. After we review it, our Foster Coordinator will reach out to you.
Step #2: Have a phone interview with our Foster Coordinator to review your application and answer any questions you may have. Please allow 30-45 minutes for the call.
Step #3: Veterinarian and personal references will be checked by our Foster Coordinator.
Step #4: Allow a home visit with all family members present with one of our volunteers.
Unfortunately, due to Maine and New Hampshire laws we are unable to accept foster applications from Maine or New Hampshire residents.
Foster Success Stories
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There is no feeling in the world like that of seeing a foster dog play with a toy for the first time!
"We love fostering! It is amazing to see the dog's personality blossom in the days and weeks they are with us. Often, they arrive shy and scared, they are unfamiliar with toys and what to do with them and sometimes have trouble coming in and out the door. As they begin to get comfortable with us and accept the care and love we are offering, they blossom into the dogs they were meant to be. There is no feeling in the world like that of seeing a dog play with a toy for the first time!"
— Debbie Z.
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Often, a rescue will enter our home and never leave!
“We have a pack of beagles who regularly run our household and believe that fostering allows for rescued beagles to prosper and grow more assured as a part of a hound group. Our hearts are warm when a foster is introduced to our pack. From the time they enter our home as scared and jittery pups, we watch them develop into self-confident dogs, positioned for success in their forever home. Often, a rescue will enter our home and never leave. Thus, falling squarely within Webster’s definition of “foster-fail!”
— Brian L.
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Fostering is one of the best gifts you can give
"Fostering is one of the best gifts you can give and the reward is priceless. To provide comfort, security, patience, flexibility and fun experiences with a foster not only provides stability for transitioning into a forever home, but also creates lifetime memories for the humans."
— Michelle S.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Submit an application via the Foster Application button above or by clicking here: https://ws.ishelters.com/application.php?k=happyLife&t=foster
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No, you can use your vet. It is great if they offer a rescue discount, but either way, the rescue will cover the bill. However, we ask that you contact us first before taking the dog to the vet, unless it is an emergency. Treatments and additional services need to be approved by the rescue.
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Yes and no! You can call the dog by a different name, but all medical records must remain in the name the dog came with.
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Fosters typically pick up their foster dogs at quarantine. If for some reason you are unable to do so, we will look for a volunteer.
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We love foster fails! However, please notify us immediately if you have even an inkling you may want to keep the dog. We wouldn’t want to continue talking with applicants if the dog will ultimately be unavailable.
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Yes, our dogs will have a Happy Life Beagle Rescue tag on their collars. Many fosters add a tag with their contact information as well, but that is optional.
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Call us! We are happy to move the dog to another foster home or help you work out any issues you might be having. We ask that you give us 24 hours to find a new foster home.
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Contact the rescue IMMEDIATELY. We have protocols in place for lost dogs and can offer advice and steps to help find the dog.
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No, for most of our dogs, the first time they will live in a home is when they arrive in Massachusetts and are placed in their foster or adoptive home. However, beagles are intelligent and with a little guidance and structure they will catch on quickly.