The Ultimate Shopping List for Foster Dogs

As shelters become more crowded and there are a record number of dogs in search of homes, the world is in great need of foster parents for animals. However, taking in a foster animal can be a lot of work and isn’t something that everyone is able to or prepared to do. But, if you still want to find a way to help, you can donate items to your local shelter to help out the foster families in your area.

Here is a shopping list for foster dogs!

Dog Crate

A dog crate is a super important way to keep pets safe in their new homes. It is important for foster parents to have a place where the dog can go and be safe away from the rest of the family or other pets. It is also helpful to have the dog in a crate as they get transported to their foster home or to the vet.

Crate Pad

Crate pads are important for making a dog feel comfortable in a crate, especially when they’ve been going from home to home. This crate pad is great because it has a removable cover that can be easily washed, is made of breathable fabric to keep the dog cool, and best of all will offer lots of support to the dog due to its orthopedic nature. This means that older dogs or anxious dogs will get great benefits from this mattress.

Puppy Pee Pads

Many foster dogs have not been in one place long enough to receive proper training. This can include potty training as well. To help foster parents deal with pets who have not yet learned where they are supposed to go to the bathroom, these potty pads can be a real lifesaver. Once the dog goes potty on them, just throw them away, no cleanup necessary!

Lick Pads

Getting settled into a new environment can be stressful and overstimulating for a little pup. That’s why lick pads can be so helpful. It gives the dog a delicious treat to snack on, keeps their brain occupied with something else, and once they are finished, they will be so sleepy from all that concentration that they will go right to bed.

Collar and Leash

Since many foster dogs have not been trained to come when called or stay in a certain area, a collar and leash are super important for keeping them safe. This will give the foster parents to have more control over the pet, where they can go, and make sure they stay safe.

Baby Gate

Baby gates can be super helpful when you are trying to keep a pup confined to one area of the house. You may need to do this for many reasons such as potty training or keeping other animals or children separate from the foster dog.

Food and Water Bowls

A staple for any pet owner is food and water bowls for their pet. While regular bowls will work just as fine, bowls like these that have something keeping them upright can help keep spills to a minimum.

Being a foster parent is a really big responsibility but it allows you to take care of and love a pet while it waits for its forever family! If you are thinking of adopting, here is everything you need to know before bringing an adopted dog home.