Thinking about fostering?
Becoming a foster for Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue is one of the most rewarding ways to make a difference. By opening your home and heart to a Pyr in need, you’re giving them a safe place to land while they wait for their forever family.
On this page, you’ll find everything you need to get started—from FAQs to our foster handbook and important medical information—to help you decide if fostering is right for you.
Medical Information
FAQs about Fostering
Foster 101
TGPR pays for all costs but, for convenience sake, most fosters usually cover the basics: dog food, maybe a leash and dog bed, the occasional treat if your foster’s looking especially pitiful at dinner.
We expect foster dogs to be treated as your other pets! TGPR does cover 100% of the vet care, spay/neuter, preventatives, and anything else we’ve talked about ahead of time.
Grooming? That depends. If the pup’s a mess and needs a spa day to feel healthy again, check with your AD. Same goes for boarding. If you’re headed out of town, we often have a vacay foster. Give us a holler first.
Puppies grow fast and need high-quality puppy food, split into 3–4 smaller meals a day. Adults and seniors generally eat 2 meals daily, about 3–6 cups total depending on weight, and energy level.
Senior dogs often do better on lighter meals or senior formulas to protect their joints and digestion. Always feed in a calm spot, separate from your pets, to prevent guarding.
Because every Pyr has different needs, check with your Area Director and your vet to create a diet plan that’s right for your foster. We may also be able to provide food for your foster, especially if they need a specialty diet.
In a way, yes. You know them best. Share pictures, little updates, funny quirks. One of our dogs got adopted because a vacay foster commented on her swimming in the pool and the adopters were looking for a water loving Pyr! If you’re not on facebook or instagram, no worries. Text your AD updates (and lots of pictures!) and they’ll help get the word out. People fall in love through stories. Help us tell theirs!
Time Commitment & Adoption
Honestly, it varies. Some are out the door in two weeks. Others stick around and make themselves at home for a while. It depends on the dog’s age, needs, and a little bit of timing and luck. We do our best to keep things moving, but we also want to find the pyr-fect match!
You sure can! But it’s not an automatic thing. If you think your foster might be your forever dog, let your AD know as soon as possible and they’ll be happy to talk about it. Also, once an approved adopter expresses interest in that dog, you’ll have 24 hours to decide if you want to try and adopt them yourself.
If you get approved to adopt, you’ll need to sign the adoption contract and pay the fee within 48 hours. If that doesn’t happen, the dog becomes available to the other adopter. We do this to be fair and to keep good homes from slipping away. So if your heart’s leaning that way, speak up early!
Only approved applicants who have gone through the AD (or both ADs, if they’re from a different area) will be allowed to come to your home. We find it’s best to see the dog in their usual situation to really get a feel for the dog. We generally discourage adopters bringing their own dogs to the meeting simply because it can make for an emotional situation, with all the hullabaloo- often not the best way to see the dogs (theirs or ours). If you have concerns about someone coming to the house, a park or somewhere quiet is best.
If someone wants to see your foster and is NOT an approved applicant, they absolutely may NOT come to your home, nor should you meet with them. The only way they can see the dogs is at an area Meet and greet event. If they want the dog, they need to apply and be approved.
Trips & Breaks
Take your trip! Seriously. You’ve earned it. Just give your AD some notice so we can help with a plan. We might line up a vacation foster or boarding if needed. And while some folks do take their fosters along for the ride, it’s gotta be pre-approved. Same if you’re thinking about boarding your foster with your own dog or at your favorite kennel. We care where these dogs are, even for a weekend.
Yes, you sure can! We call that a vacation foster, and it’s a huge help. Sometimes dogs just need a place to land between full-time fosters, or while they’re waiting on transport or recovery. We also have a field trip option if you’d like to take a dog for the day and give another foster a break!
Let your AD know what kind of availability you have—whether it’s just a weekend, a week, or a couple of days, and they’ll try to match you with a dog that fits the window. Every bit of time you give matters. Even a few hours of love and rest can change a dog’s whole outlook. Plus, dogs who go on short stays are 400 to 1500 times more likely to get adopted!
Vetting & Emergencies
We will partner with most vets who have reasonable costs and a rescue discount. Please check with your AD and they will determine if your vet fits our parameter requirements.
If it’s not urgent, give them a little time and try your backup contact. If it’s a real life emergency, secure care at the nearest approved vet or ER if possible — or any care option that’s available at the time. Let someone on the board know as soon as you can so that we can support you. Protecting the dog’s life is our priority! We trust you to do what’s right in the moment.
Behavior & Introductions
Slow and calm are the keys here: One step at a time. Give them time to sniff under the door, swap blankets, pace a bit. The Foster Handbook’s got tips, and your AD can help too. Just don’t force it. Think of it like a porch swing chat—not a raving party on day one.
It happens. Doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Sometimes personalities just don’t match. Call your AD and let’s figure it out together. You might need to keep the pup for a few days while we find a new spot, but we won’t leave you hanging.
It’s common for new fosters to be fearful at first. Give them a quiet place to decompress, and let them make the first move toward you. Avoid sudden contact, and ask visitors to ignore the dog until they’re ready to approach. Routines, treats, and calm consistency build trust over time. If your foster is very nervous, it’s fine to crate them or set them up in a separate room when guests are over. For more details, see the Foster Handbook’s section on introductions and decompression, and always reach out to your Area Director if you need extra guidance or support.
Home & Lifestyle Compatibility
You sure can. Big dogs don’t always need big spaces! What they need most is safety, routine, and a loving human who’s paying attention. Plenty of our fosters live in apartments or smaller homes. Some Pyrs are total couch potatoes who just want a comfy spot and a steady life!
Your Area Director will help match you with the right dog. Maybe it’s a senior who’s already slowed down, or a bougie adult who’d rather chill in the AC. What matters most is that you’re committed to their care, exercise, and safety—regardless of square footage.
So don’t count yourself out. These dogs have lived through a lot. What they need now is someone steady at their side.
Yes, and you should. Let your AD know right away that you’ve got a cat at home, and we’ll do our best to find a dog who’s either been cat-tested or has a known history of living peacefully with cats.
That said, not all rescue dogs have been reliably tested with cats. So even if a dog is labeled “cat friendly,” you’ll still need to do careful introductions and keep a close eye at first.
Safety & Liability
We generally discourage dog parks for several reasons: the vaccination status of our foster, the fact that most adult Pyrs don’t care for crowded dog parks (it’s not usually their vibe—they’re more “guard the family” than “chase the tennis ball”), and the unknowns of not only our fosters, but the random dogs who can sometimes show up at dog parks (especially Big Dog dog parks). Some dogs do fine with the right prep and timing, but always talk to your AD before packing your treat bag.
TGPR carries general liability insurance, and as long as you’re following our guidelines, we’ve got your back. That said, it’s important to use good judgment and stick to the safety protocols like no meet-and-greets without approval, no off-leash time in open areas, and no pushing a Pyr into situations they’re not ready for.
If something does happen, tell your AD right away. Don’t wait or try to handle it alone. We’ll help sort it out.
If a dog is being especially destructive, let us know so we can help troubleshoot.
We’re in this together, and our goal is always to keep you, your home, and your foster dog safe.
Have Questions about Fostering?
Reach out to your Area Director
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Ready to get started Fostering?
