Guest blogger: Kelsey Nichols
Our Dallas Pets Alive fosters always go above and beyond to welcome a new furry friend into their home. We love seeing pictures of a foster pup enjoying their new digs, snuggled up in a dog bed bought just for them and surrounded with new toys.
{We even created a group page for foster parents to share updates and photos, the DPA Life Savers group on Facebook, and it’s crazy-popular!}
Sometimes first-time fosters are unaware of the animal restrictions for their apartment or rental property. If you live in a rental property, it’s important to do your research first. If you live with other people, make sure that everyone is okay with having a foster animal around.
Even if you are the one fostering the dog, the people who live with you are probably going to have to take the dog to the bathroom or clean up after the dog at some point. You want to have an agreeable, welcoming space for your foster pup! It’s important to talk about the arrangements beforehand.
The easiest way to see if your apartment has any animal limitations is to call management.
A lot of apartments won’t provide this information on their website, and calling will ensure that you are getting the most up-to-date information.
Your apartment can easily tell you the maximum number of pets allowed and explain any breed restrictions they may have (these vary greatly from place to place). You’ll be so happy that you called before fostering an animal that is on the restricted breed list – potentially putting you, the dog and DPA in a messy situation if the pup is one they won’t allow, or just looks like it could be.
Our foster team is available for advice during this part of the process, too. Also, many leasing companies and apartment management offices will allow you to pay a pet deposit by installments rather than all at once, if you ask.
Next week – more foster stories and tips!
Kelsey Nichols is a foster parent, adoptive parent, social media volunteer and rescue volunteer for Dallas Pets Alive.
