Somewhere in Bosnia or Serbia a dog is waiting for an opportunity.

A chance for safety, love, someone who will stand up for him and a future in which he can just be a dog. The life he deserves.

Our volunteers take in these dogs, give them the medical care they need and take care of their daily needs.

But then the waiting often begins.

Waiting for a home.

And that is exactly where you as a host family can make the difference.

A home doesn't always have to be forever to make a world of difference.

As a host family, you temporarily give a rescue dog a safe place where he can relax, build trust and discover what life in a home is like.

For some dogs, this may be the first time they experience true safety, love and attention.

While you help the dog get used to his new environment, we get to know him better and better. Your observations help us understand his character, needs and personality.

This way we can look together for the perfect match for his permanent home.

What exactly does a host family do?

As a host family you offer temporary shelter to a dog that has just arrived from abroad.

The dog stays at your home, gets to know life in a living room and gets used to the daily routine:

  • Walking
  • Rest moments
  • Eating at fixed times
  • Noises from the vacuum cleaner
  • The doorbell
  • Visit
  • Life within a family

For many of our dogs, this is the first time they have been allowed inside.

You give the dog the time and peace to get used to its new environment, after a long journey and often a difficult past.

In the meantime, you get to know the dog better in practice and help us with valuable observations.

For example:

  • How does he react to children?
  • How does he get along with other dogs?
  • Is he potty trained yet?
  • Can he stay home alone?
  • How does he develop at home?
  • What makes him happy or insecure?

Thanks to your experiences, we can form a much more complete picture of the dog. This way we can ultimately link him to the adoptive family that really suits him.

We also ask you to regularly take beautiful photos and short videos of the dog.

This way we can show him at his best on our website and social media, which further increases his chance of a loving home.

Who can become a host family?

Becoming a foster family for a dog is more accessible than you might think.

You don't need to be an experienced dog trainer, nor do you need a huge house.

What you do need:

  • Sufficient time to spend the first few days intensively with the dog
  • A quiet place in the house where the dog can retreat
  • Patience and understanding for an animal that may have been through a lot
  • The willingness to communicate with our team about how things are going
  • Time and attention to guide the dog calmly

You are allowed to have other pets as long as they get along well with dogs.

Do you have a garden? That's nice, but not a requirement.

Do you live in an apartment? That can also work well, depending on the dog.

We always look together to see which dog best suits your situation.

Please take a look at our available dogs to see which four-legged friends are currently waiting for a home.

And you are not alone. Our volunteers will help you if you have any questions or encounter any problems.

How long does temporary shelter last?

The duration of a care period varies per situation.

Sometimes a dog is adopted quickly. Sometimes it takes a little longer.

Some dogs simply need more time to calm down. With other dogs it takes a while before the right match presents itself.

That is difficult to predict in advance.

What always helps are beautiful photos and videos that allow us to introduce the dog to potential adopters.

You also make a valuable contribution to his or her future by sharing the dog within your own network or actively thinking about a suitable home.

Some dogs require a little more time, patience or guidance than others.

That is why we look together to see which dog suits best:

  • Your wishes
  • Your experience
  • Your living situation
  • Any children
  • Other pets
  • The amount of time you have available

The most important thing is that we are honest about expectations and possibilities.

This way, both you and the dog can have a pleasant and successful care period.

The honest story: saying goodbye is not easy

Let's not beat around the bush.

Saying goodbye to a dog that has lived with you for weeks or months is difficult.

You've seen him grow.

From a scared or insecure dog to a dog that is wagging its tail at the door when you come home.

Of course it hurts to let him go.

But there is also another side.

Every farewell means that room is created for a new dog that urgently needs shelter.

The dog that lived with you goes to a family that will love him forever.

And you made that possible.

We know better than anyone that saying goodbye can be difficult, but the feeling of satisfaction is enormous.

You literally help change lives.

Sadness over parting doesn't mean you did something wrong.

It means that you have given something very beautiful.

The 'foster fail', and why that is completely okay

There is a nice term in the world of animal rescue: the foster fail.

This is a host family that falls so in love with the dog that it decides to adopt it themselves.

The word 'fail' is of course meant with a wink. Actually, it is one of the most beautiful results there are.

And it happens more often than you think.

At Hope for Dogs we find this completely understandable.

Do you notice during the care period that this dog really belongs to you? Then we will be happy to guide you during the adoption process.

There is no pressure and no obligation, but the opportunity always exists.

Shelter with option for adoption

That is why we also offer shelter with option for adoption On.

This means that you first take the dog into your home as a shelter dog. This way you can quietly discover whether there really is a good match.

Does it feel good for both of you? Then you can decide to adopt the dog in consultation with us.

Doesn't it seem to be the right match after all? Then the dog remains available for adoption and in the meantime you help him on his way to his permanent home.

Feel free to ask us about the options if you want to know more about this.

Financial agreements

Of course we would prefer to bear all costs for each dog directly ourselves. Unfortunately, as a foundation, this is not always feasible.

That is why we ask host families to temporarily advance certain costs when possible.

For example, consider the transport costs when the dog comes to the host family.

When the dog is ultimately adopted, the agreed advance costs will of course be reimbursed.

These agreements are recorded in advance in the childcare contract, so that everyone is clear where he or she stands.

Daily costs

The daily costs for the dog are borne by the host family.

Consider:

  • Feed
  • Snacks
  • A basket
  • A belt
  • A rig
  • Toys
  • Other everyday dog ​​supplies

Veterinary costs

Veterinary costs are always in consultation with us.

Only in the event of an emergency is it important that a dog receives the right care immediately. In that case, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can think along and coordinate further steps.

If it turns out during the care period that the dog suits you completely and there is a good match on both sides, we will of course be happy to look at the options for adoption together.

Register as a host family

Did you become enthusiastic after reading this article?

Then we would like to hear from you.

Registering as a host family is easy. Send us an email and tell us briefly about:

  • Yourself
  • Your living situation
  • Your family situation
  • Any other pets
  • Your experience with dogs
  • The time you have available

We will then contact you as soon as possible.

Together we will determine which dog suits you and prepare you for the arrival of your temporary roommate.

Every dog ​​deserves a chance at a good life.

And sometimes that opportunity starts with a host family that says:

“There's room here.”

Maybe you are that host family.

Are you unable to provide childcare yourself, but would you still like to contribute? Please consider supporting our work with a donation.

Every contribution counts.

Behind every dog ​​that gets a new chance, there is often someone who temporarily opens his heart and home.

Take a look at these beautiful examples of host families and see how special this trip can be. 💛