Join our volunteer team

For the careful rehoming of shelter dogs, it is important that a dog first stays in a foster home. During this period, he can relax a little and get used to life as a household pet. This is often quite a transition after having spent sometimes years in the shelter. A foster home is the dog's most important link to a better life.

What is your job?

• You take in a foreign shelter dog in your own home until it is adopted.
• You help the dog to relax and gradually get used to everything involved in life as a Dutch household dog.
• You observe the dog and share your findings with the other volunteers so that a good profile of the dog can be created.
• You regularly share photos and videos of the dog in different situations.
• You welcome interested people at home and help assess whether the person and the dog are a good match.

What are your skills

• You have experience with rescue dogs.
• You have insight into dog behavior, body language, and the reasons that may underlie certain behaviors.
• You have experience training dogs and have a positive approach that doesn't put pressure on the dog.
• You are stress-resistant. A rescue dog often brings quite a bit of stress and can exhibit undesirable behaviors such as destroying things, barking, or being incontinent. This does not cause you insurmountable stress.
• You are flexible. We try to make the best possible estimate of the dog in advance, but you never know exactly how the dog will behave in the new situation. This uncertainty is not a problem for you, and you are willing to make adjustments if necessary, for example in your daily schedule or by placing gates in your house.
• You are open to consultation and cooperation with other volunteers and are willing and able to apply tips regarding training or upbringing.
• You can make sure that the dog hardly has to be alone at all in the beginning, so that he can gradually get used to it.
• You can dedicate yourself wholeheartedly to a dog, but also let go of it when it gets adopted. The emotions involved can be managed and do not stand in the way of the dog's best interests.
• You are willing to come with the dog to MARK Veterinarian in Vleuten for a general health check.
• You can relate to our approach, in which we search as carefully as possible for the perfect match. We don't settle for anything less than perfect and we don't rush to place as many dogs as possible. We are 100% transparent with interested parties about how we got to know the dog and aim for people to get the dog that fits them perfectly and that they will be completely happy with.

What do you get out of this

• A lot of satisfaction. Thanks to you, a dog that has been in a shelter for months or years gets the life and love it truly deserves.
• Much love from the rescue dog. Although they often experience a lot of stress at first, they are also incredibly happy with the attention and good care.
• The foundation remains responsible for the costs of the dog's care.
• As a host family, you naturally have a say in the placement of the dog.
• You will be kept informed about the dogs you have taken in.
• You will receive a foster dog that suits your situation and preferences (as far as this can be estimated in advance). You decide for yourself whether a particular dog is allowed to come or not.
• You will only be put in touch with interested parties who have already passed the initial selection.
• Other volunteers are always available for consultation, help, and tips. You are never on your own. You are part of an enthusiastic and committed team.
• If the dog doesn't settle in with you, it can be moved to another foster home. You also have the guarantee that you won't be 'stuck' with a dog.

Do you want more info or are you interested? send an email to mailto:info@perroenco.nl