ADOPTION & FOSTER

Dog Care Tips

WE GOT TIPS!

Q: Why are all dogs available for adoption through CPR spayed or neutered?

Spaying and neutering helps protect dogs from aggression, behavioral issues, cancer, and more. It also helps keep Chicago a no-kill city by protecting puppies from being born, never getting adopted, to die alone in a shelter or on the streets. We do not support breeding because it exacerbates the dying of shelter dogs every day. All dogs adopted from CPR Fund are either spayed or neutered prior to leaving our care. There are NO exceptions! 

Q: Are your adoptable dogs up-to-date on medical care, vaccines, etc?

Yup! Dogs are up-to-date on all age appropriate vaccinations, microchipped, de-wormer, heartworm testing, and are on a preventative heartworm medication.

Q: What are the adoption fees?

Under 6 months: $300
7 months to 7 years: $275
8 years and up: $175

Our fees help us to continue our rescue efforts; and include all of their training and enrichment while in foster homes, as well as all age appropriate vaccinations, microchipped, de-wormer, heartworm testing, and are on a preventative heartworm medication.

Q: What do I have to fill out in order to meet a dog?

A digitally signed Adoption Agreement and an approved Adoption Application must be on file BEFORE you may meet a dog. This is for the dog's safety! 

Q: To what distance will you adopt animals?

CPR Fund will only adopt out dogs to homes within a 120 mile radius (about 2 hours) of the foster home.

Q: If I'm interested in a dog, what are next steps?

Please email the particular dog's foster parent (info@cprfund.com does not have additional information on individual dogs) and fill out an online adoption application. -- Note to Steph, how does the adopter know the foster's email if its not listed?

Q: I've reached out to a foster, but I haven't heard back. Now what?

It can take 48 - 72 hours for our foster parents to process an application. If after 72 hours, you still have not received an update about the status of your application, contact the foster home. Or, if you are having trouble contacting the foster home, email Info@cprfund.com. Please note, additional time may be required when adopting a puppy as there are usually multiple applications for the foster home to process at once. - Where is the contact info for the foster home?

Q: If I'm the first to meet the dog, am I guaranteed to get to adopt him or her?

Dogs are NOT placed in a home on a first-come-first-serve basis. Decisions are made based on what is best for the animal.

Q: My application has been accepted. Now what?

If your application is approved, the foster home will schedule a time and place for you to meet the dog you're interested in. We do require a brief home check. This is to ensure the dog will be placed in a safe environment.

Q: What is a 'home check'?

Need info from Stephanie here.

Q: What if my request to adopt is denied?

If for some reason your application is denied or the home check does not pan out, the foster home will notify you about their decision. CPR Fund is a Rescue organization, not a shelter or animal control facility - and rescue’s have stricter guidelines when it comes to adopting a pet. We do our best to ensure each dog is being placed in a FOREVER home and is a good fit for a particular family. - Want information from Stephanie about reasons why some people are denied or it this helping the abusers know how to lie beforehand?

FOSTERING

Q: How do I become a foster parent for CPR and what is your criteria?

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Q: What are some of my responsibilities as a foster parent?

First and foremost, your job is to provide the rescued animals with a safe and loving home! These dogs have been discarded and some have been neglected and/or abused. Your kindness and attention will make them whole again. We also need you to participate by providing photos and biographical information on your foster, corresponding with potential adopters, bringing your foster dog to scheduled adoption events, screening and choosing adoptive homes and transporting them to and from veterinary appointments. If your schedule does not allow for this level of participation, some of these responsibilities can be assigned to other volunteers.

Q: How do I choose my foster dog?

A few times a week an “inmate lists” is emailed to the group. These are dogs in immediate danger of being euthanized at local animal control facilities. Pictures and brief descriptions of the dogs in need are included in the email. If you see a dog you would be interested in fostering, let us know right away.

Q: What does CPR provide for my foster dog?

We provide you with a crate, collar, leash, food, treats, toys and anything else required to care for your foster. We also pay for and provide all necessary veterinary care (spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, dewormer, heartworm and flea preventative, microchip, medications, etc) for your foster. The CPR Fund also provides enrichment or special needs specific to your foster such as professional training, pet-sitting if you will be out of town, special diets, etc. You may also join our Foster & Volunteer Facebook page for enrichment, tips, and community support.

Q: Are all dogs up-to-date on their vaccinations? Could they get my pets sick?

As soon as we pull a dog in need, they are given vaccinations for Bordetella (kennel cough), Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, Carona, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza and rabies. The dogs are also dewormed and treated for fleas. However, there are no guarantees so your foster pet should have limited contact with your personal pet for the first two weeks. This will reduce the risk of disease transmission.  Also, it is imperative that your personal pets be up to date on their own vaccinations before you bring in a foster.  Finally, by keeping your pets away from your foster's feces and picking it up immediately you will reduce the risk of your pet being exposed to any intestinal parasites your foster may be excreting.

Q: Will my foster already be spayed or neutered?

Usually, yes. However if your foster is ill, injured or less than 10 weeks of age your foster dog will need to be taken to one of our participating veterinary clinics for surgery when s/he is ready. CPR Fund pays for the surgery but transportation and caring for the dog post-operatively is a foster parent's responsibility.  If you are unable to transport your foster, other arrangements can usually be made.

Q: What happens if my foster dog gets sick or injured while in my care?

Immediately contact us about the illness or injury and get approval to see one of the veterinarians we use. Dogs MUST be brought to one of these locations or CPR Fund will not pay for any medical expenses.

Q: What if my foster ends up having behavioral issues?

CPR Fund cannot guarantee the temperament of any dog. The “in need” dogs are assessed by animal control officers and other volunteers but these dogs are there for such a short a time before they are scheduled to be put down, a thorough evaluation is usually impossible. We rely on their impressions of the dog and would never knowingly place an unbalanced dog in your care. We understand that these dogs will be living in your home and with your family and CPR Fund wants what is best for all involved! We provide enrichment such as training and other methodologies to help. Contact us and we'll do everything we can to help. You may also join our Foster & Volunteer Facebook page for enrichment, tips, and community support.

Q: How long will I have my foster?

Until they are adopted out to a safe, loving, forever home. This varies greatly depending upon the particular dog you chose to foster. Most puppies and small breed dogs will be adopted within a few weeks of coming into your home. Young adults of what the public considers “desirable breeds” will likely be with you only slightly longer. Older dogs and bully breeds can take many months to adopt out. This is something to seriously consider when choosing your foster. - Ask her about temporary foster situations?

Q: Will my foster be house-broken?

Sometimes. This is one of the many reasons CPR Fund provides for and requires that you crate train your foster. Crated dogs are much easier to housebreak! Most adults will catch on fairly quickly. Puppies and younger dogs require a bit more work, but we'll provide you with many tips and tricks if at first you don't succeed.

Q: What happens if my foster and my personal pet(s) don't get along?

This is another reason we provide a crate. If after an adjustment period, they just can’t learn to be friends, one method is “crate and rotate”. One dog is safely in a crate while the other gets his attention and exercise. Then you switch. Its not an ideal situation but not every dog will get along with every other dog out there. If there is a serious aggression issue it will be addressed and a dog may have to be moved to a different foster home. However, since we are not a shelter there is never an “extra cage open” to move your foster to so patience is required. You will need to crate and rotate until another foster home opens up or you can switch dogs with another foster parent. This can take some time.

You may join our Foster & Volunteer Facebook page for enrichment, tips, and community support.

VOLUNTEERING

Q: What volunteer positions are available?

Transporting animals, assisting with adoption events, fundraising, grant writing, managing our marketing and website, managing social media accounts, assisting with large-scale food donations, and more! 

Or maybe you have a special skill not listed above like obedience training, grooming, or others. The CPR Fund welcomes any and all volunteers to do as much or as little as they choose. If you would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities with CPR Fund, please email Info@cprfund.com. We hope to hear from you!

Q: What is required for me to transport?

You will need a valid driver's license and up-to-date car insurance.

Q: How do I become a volunteer?

Here ya go!

DOG CARE

Q: How do I crate-train?

Coming soon

Q: What is 'crate and rotate'?

Coming soon

Q: How do introduce a new dog to my home?

Read our Dog Care Tips sheet

GENERAL

Q: What are all the ways I can help CPR Fund?

Adopt, foster, donate, sponsor, volunteer, and educate!

Q: What is required for me to transport?

You will need a valid driver's license and up-to-date car insurance.

Q: How do I become a volunteer?

Here ya go!

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