We have several types of volunteers; fosters who keep puppies in their homes, drivers who cannot keep puppies but can help provide transportation for vet appointments or from one foster to another and transporters who help get puppies from local areas and surrounding states to our fosters. All these are very important and everyone at GMDAP appreciates all our hard working volunteers!!

Puppies usually stay with foster families one to two weeks. During that time, they are given worming medicine and vaccines, and any problems, such as skin issues, are addressed. We provide all food and medicine and the fosters provide a safe, comfortable place for the puppies to stay. We provide written guidelines for the care and housing of puppies and we help you become familiar with our policies and procedures before you start fostering.

There is always someone available to answer questions and help if a problem occurs or if a puppy becomes ill.  Each new foster is assigned a mentor to answer questions and provide assistance if necessary. If a foster is unable to continue to care for their puppies, another foster will take over their for them.

We encourage the whole family to become involved with the puppies and help them to learn what being in a home is all about. Puppies are not allowed to leave the foster homes, or to be exposed to areas where unknown dogs may have been because their immune systems are fragile and they are not completely protected from diseases like parvo and distemper.

Our fosters and drivers all belong to our private Facebook page where announcements are posted and information is shared. Other than that, we communicate mostly by text.

At the end of the foster period, puppies are transferred to a shelter for adoption. We also have an adoption program through the rescue, and fosters can find adopters for their puppies if they wish, but it is not expected or required.

Here are some things to consider before you decide to foster:

• Living arrangements – The puppies need an area that is safe and comfortable, large enough to play, eat, and sleep and to easily keep clean. Some fosters have a gated space, a spare room, or an exercise pen with a sleeping crate. Puppies should not be kept in a crate.

• Puppy time outside – Fosters are not expected to house train puppies, however, taking pups outside to begin the process and to allow them to explore the outdoors is encouraged. When outdoors, puppies must be supervised at all times.

• Your schedule – puppies should not be left alone for more than 8 hours at a time. This includes overnight or during the day.  They require socialization and it is essential to keep them in a clean environment. Expect lots of pee and poop, and it best to clean their area frequently.

• Your own dogs – If you have your own dogs they must be up to date on their shots and non-aggressive with puppies. Your own dogs can teach the puppies a lot! If your dogs (or cats) do not want to interact with puppies, that’s okay, as long as the puppies have their own safe place to stay.

• Children – If you have children, they must be supervised at all times while interacting with the puppies so that both can benefit from the foster experience.

Q: How many puppies will I get?

Q: What happens if my pup gets sick?

A: Contact the designated GMDAP representative immediately. Do not take pups to the vet under your own volition. More information about this process is included in the Guidelines and will be shared in the Welcome packet once your application is approved.

Q: I know I’m supposed to keep puppies for 2 weeks or more, but what if something comes up during that time and I’m no longer able?

A: Post your foster transfer request to the Private Volunteer Facebook page. Someone is always willing to respond and help out. All arrangements for transfer will need to be completed between the current foster and the new foster.

Q: How many groups of puppies can I have at a time?

A: We only allow fosters to have one set of puppies at a time. If there is an emergency need, we may allow multiple sets to one foster, but the puppies would need to remain separated the entire time.

Q: I know someone who wants to adopt one of my puppies. What’s the process?

A: There are guidelines for Direct Adoptions. You will recieve those once your foster application has been approved. Be sure to refer to them before adopting or discussing adoption with anyone.

Q: What if I have questions and can’t find the answers?

A: All GMDAP volunteer fosters will be assigned a mentor. Be sure to reach out to that person with any questions, concerns, etc. They are there to help. This website also has a members-only forum. Be sure to register and login on the site. Only current approved members will have access to this information.

Some of our fosters take care of pregnant dogs and mama dogs with litters. Others foster puppies only, and those will take one to three puppies. New fosters are never asked to care for more than two puppies at a time.

• After your application is approved, you will need to request to join our private Geauga Mama Members Facebook page. This is how the majority of our communication occurs.
• Check the Facebook group often. Notifications about pups in need of foster homes will be posted frequently. Please keep in mind that we never know how many puppies we will be receiving, or when, but we will post when we have puppies available to foster.
• If you are able to foster, reply to the post.
• If you are selected to foster, arrive at the farm as directed. Bring a carrier for the car and a small cooler for the medications and vaccinations. Upon arrival, you will be given medication, food, and other supplies as they are available.
• In most cases, two puppies are placed with each foster family. This is imperative so that they can keep each other company and learn important social skills from each other.
• Puppies are typically fostered for 2 weeks, from about 7 weeks until about 9 weeks of age at which time they go to one of our partner APLs for placement. The average length of time puppies will spend with their foster family is 2 weeks.
• Your family, dogs, and kids should interact with the puppies in a positive manner as much as possible. Playing with them and loving them are what make our puppies outgoing and appealing for adoption. We want our pups to greet folks at the front of the cage, not cower in the back.

Some things to think about before you decide to foster:

• Living arrangements – the puppies need an area that is safe and comfortable, large enough to play, eat, and sleep and easy to keep clean. Some fosters have a gated space, a spare room or an exercise pen with a sleeping crate. Examples of how some volunteers set-up pen spaces can be found in the Fosters area of this site that will be available to you once you become a foster.
• Outside – As a foster, you are not expected to house train your puppies, however, taking pups outside to begin the process and to allow them to explore the outdoors is essential. Do you have a way to safely take two puppies outside to experience the world? You can take them out on leash, in a fenced yard or in an ex-pen.
• Your schedule – puppies should not be left alone for more than 8 hours at a time. This includes overnight or during the day. They need to be fed, played with, and cleaned up after. There will be lots of poop and pee, especially the longer they are left unattended.
• If you have your own dogs, they must be up-to-date on their shots and non-aggressive with small canines. Your own dogs can teach the puppies a lot! If your own dogs (or cats) do not want to interact with the puppies, that’s ok, as long as the puppies have their own safe place to be.
• If you have children, they must be supervised at all times while interacting with the puppies so that both benefit from the foster experience.