When it comes to helping stray animals, adoption isn’t the only way to make a difference. There’s an equally powerful yet often overlooked option: fostering. Through fostering, you provide a temporary but loving home to a rescued stray dog, helping them transition from a life on the streets or in a shelter to a forever home.
In Pune, BCS Pune (Blue Cross Society of Pune) is doing remarkable work to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome stray dogs. But the process between rescue and permanent adoption can be challenging, especially when shelters are full or dogs need more individual care. That’s where foster parents become invaluable.
This article is your complete guide to fostering stray dogs through BCS Pune, with everything you need to know about the process, responsibilities, emotional rewards, and how fostering can eventually lead to adoption.
What Is Fostering, and Why Is It So Important?
Fostering is the act of temporarily caring for a stray or abandoned dog until they are either adopted or ready for a permanent home. The foster period can range from a few days to a few months, depending on the dog’s condition, age, and adoption availability.
Fostering is crucial for dogs who:
Are recovering from surgery or injury
Need socialization and training before adoption
Cannot adjust well to shelter life
Are too young or too old to stay in a crowded kennel
For BCS Pune, fostering acts as a bridge between rescue and adoption. It gives the dogs a better chance of being adopted by allowing them to experience home life and gain trust in humans again.
Who Can Foster a Dog from BCS Pune?
One of the best parts about fostering through BCS Pune is that any compassionate and responsible individual or family can apply to be a foster. You don’t need to be an expert dog trainer or own a huge home. All you need is:
Time and love to offer
A pet-friendly living space
Willingness to work with BCS Pune for updates and vet visits
Patience to help the dog adjust to home life
Whether you live in a flat or a bungalow, are a student, a working professional, or a family with kids—if your lifestyle supports the emotional and physical care of a dog, fostering is a fantastic way to get involved.
The Process of Fostering a Stray Dog at BCS Pune
Here’s how the typical fostering process works through BCS Pune:
1. Application and Interaction
You begin by reaching out to BCS Pune through their website, email, or social media. A volunteer will connect with you to understand your home environment, availability, and experience with pets.
2. Matching a Dog to Your Home
Based on your preferences and lifestyle, BCS Pune recommends a suitable dog—considering factors like size, energy level, temperament, and medical needs.
3. Orientation and Guidance
Before you bring the dog home, BCS provides a full briefing:
Medical status and treatment plan (if any)
Feeding schedule and preferences
Behavioral notes (shy, playful, anxious, etc.)
What to expect during the first few days
4. Bringing the Dog Home
Once everything is set, you’ll welcome your foster dog into your home. The BCS team stays in touch for regular updates and is always available for questions or emergencies.
5. Support During the Foster Period
BCS Pune ensures:
Basic medical support and guidance
Follow-up vaccination or sterilization if pending
Networking the dog for adoption (you can help with pictures, too!)
6. Handover for Adoption
Once the dog is ready or an adopter is found, the BCS team arranges the transition. Some fosters even fall in love and decide to adopt stray dogs themselves—fondly known as “foster fails” (the sweetest kind of failure!).
Top 6 Benefits of Fostering a Stray Dog
Here’s why fostering through BCS Pune is a life-changing experience:
1. You Help Save a Life
Each foster home allows BCS Pune to rescue another dog from the streets. Shelters are often full, and foster care increases capacity without building more kennels.
2. It’s a Great Way to See if You’re Ready for Adoption
Not sure if you're ready for the full-time commitment of a pet? Fostering is a low-risk, high-reward way to test the waters.
3. You Prepare the Dog for a Forever Home
Stray dogs may be shy, scared, or under-socialized. In a calm home environment, they learn trust, routines, and behavior that will make them more adoptable.
4. You Learn Valuable Pet Parenting Skills
From basic first aid to reading canine body language, fostering makes you a more responsible and empathetic pet parent.
5. Fostering Is Incredibly Rewarding
Watching a timid or injured dog bloom under your care is an emotional journey. It’s filled with small victories—tail wags, the first meal eaten happily, peaceful sleep.
6. You Inspire Others
Sharing your foster journey on social media or among friends encourages others to foster or adopt stray dogs. Compassion is contagious.
Things to Consider Before You Foster
While fostering is beautiful, it’s not without responsibility. Ask yourself:
Can you commit for a few weeks or more?
Will you be okay with minor accidents (like chewed slippers)?
Are you comfortable with potential vet visits?
Do you have time for walks, feeding, and interaction?
If your answer is yes, then fostering might be your calling!
The Role of BCS Pune in Supporting Foster Families
BCS Pune goes above and beyond to support their foster families. They understand the commitment you’re making and ensure that:
You never feel alone
Help is just a call away
You receive appreciation, updates, and encouragement
You are part of a bigger family of animal lovers in Pune
They also conduct awareness campaigns, adoption drives, and vaccination camps where foster dogs are showcased for potential adopters. Your role as a foster parent is celebrated every step of the way.
Conclusion: Fostering Is a Win-Win for Everyone
Fostering a stray dog through BCS Pune is more than just animal care—it’s a movement of compassion, rehabilitation, and healing. It benefits you, the dog, and society as a whole.
Whether you’re a lifelong animal lover or a curious beginner, fostering is one of the most impactful ways you can contribute. It's temporary in duration, but the love you offer and the change you spark are forever.
So, if you’re not ready to adopt stray dogs just yet but want to make a real difference, try fostering. Your home might just be the sanctuary a stray dog needs before finding their forever family.
Want to become a foster parent? Contact BCS Pune at [email protected] or visit www.bcspune.org today. A furry friend is waiting to meet you!