Great Dane Rescue Of Minnesota and Wisconsin
foster home visit questionnaire
Please note that families with children under the age of 8 years may not be accepted as foster homes due to the size and potential for unintended injury to a small child.
Date: Evaluator’s Name: Evaluator’s Email:
Applicant information
Name: Home Phone: Cell Phone: E-mail:
( ) ( )
Address: City: State: Zip Code:
DOB: DL#
initial questions
Remember the purpose of the home visit to get the best match possible for the dog and the family and feel free to tell them that’s the reason for these questions.
Why do you want to foster a Great Dane?
Ho w did you hear about GDROMN q Online Search q Petfinder q Event q Friend/Family q Media q Volunteer q Heart of Minnesota Great Dane Club q Vet, if so which one: q Other:
Have you ever owned a Dane before? q Yes q No If not, have you done any research about Danes and know about their health issues (e.g. hip dysplasia, thyroid, bloat)?
Do you have any experience with health issues in dogs? q Yes q No Examples:
Do you have a veterinarian? q Yes q No What is the length of your relationship? If no, what are your plans for the foster regarding veterinary care?
Have you taken a canine first aid course? q Yes q No
Do you have a bloat kit? q Yes q No
Do you know canine CPR? q Yes q No
Could you lift a 160# unconscious dog into a vehicle? q Yes q No
Do you know the proper way to break up a dog fight? q Yes q No
Do you know how to give injections? q Yes q No
Do you know how to pill a dog? q Yes q No
Can you draw blood from a dog? q Yes q No
Do you know how to insert a microchip? q Yes q No
Could you care for puppies that need feeding every 2-4 hours? q Yes q No
Do you know how to tube feed? q Yes q No
What do you know about rescued dogs? (Inform them about all the issues our dogs could come in with, particularly having needs that require a commitment to making them secure, healthy and wanted)
HOME QUESTIONS
What do you plan to feed the Dane? How often? Where will the Dane be fed?
Where will the Dane be sleeping?
Where will the dog be kept when left alone in the house? Have you ever used a crate before? q Yes q No Feelings about crating?
Would you ever put the dog in the garage, outside or in a heated kennel for the day? q Yes q No
How long will the dog be alone while you are gone from home? (Have they considered “back-up” such as a neighbor, family member or pet walker to let the Dane out if they can’t get home)
What arrangement will be made for the dog when you are on vacation?
How many people reside in the house? Number of adults: Number and ages of children:
What other dogs reside in the house? (Please list breeds and ages)
What other pets reside in the house? (Please list species and number of each)
FAMILY QUESTIONS
What is your expectation regarding expenses? (Food, crate, boarding) Do you understand that food, supplies, gas, etc will not be reimbursed but should be logged as volunteer and donation for tax purposes? We may be able to get you kibble at a whole sale price. You must feed one of the recommended brands of kibble. q Yes q No
Describe applicant(s)’ previous dog experience:
Have you ever had to deal with behavior issues before? (e.g. excessive barking, potty training, chewing)
Describe any bad experiences with dogs:
Have you had another dog recently, but the dog is no longer with you? q Yes q No What happened?
Who would be the primary caretaker? Why?
NEIGHBORHOOD/YARD QUESTIONS
What is the size of the lot?
How will the dog get outside to relieve itself?
Is the yard fenced? q Yes q No (Invisible fencing is not acceptable) If yes, describe what type, condition and height: If no, would you consider getting a fence? If no, how will the dog be trained to stay in the yard?
NEIGHBOHOOD OBERSVATIONS
Describe the immediate neighborhood:
How far is the nearest busy street?
Describe any hazards near by: (e.g. cliffs, industrial facilities)
Neighboring dogs or children:
HOME OBSERVATIONS
Are home areas safe /comfortable?
Are home hazards (such as small toys, cat litter, other pets) at dog’s level? q Yes q No
Are valuables or breakables at dog level? q Yes q No How will they accommodate that when a big strong tail comes into the household? Do they understand that Danes can easily take food and other items off a counter/table?
Do they understand that a Dane can reach an object 6’ off the ground? q Yes q No
Do they understand that Danes slobber? q Yes q No
Do they understand that Danes lean? q Yes q No
Do they understand that Danes are house dogs? q Yes q No
OTHER PETS OBERSERVATIONS
How do the children react around existing or visiting pets?
How do the current pets react to household children?
How do the pets like the visiting dog? (if the potential foster is with the evaluator)
Describe the applicant’s relationship with current pets:
FAMILY OBSERVATIONS
Describe the children’s ability to listen to your advice and instructions about behavior around dogs:
Do all members seem interested in fostering a Dane?
Do the applicants ask questions?
Were they interested in your answers or advice?
HEART OF THE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
What sex of Dane are they willing to foster? q Male q Female Why?
What age of Dane are they willing to foster? Why?
What size of Dane are they willing to foster? Why?
Would they be willing to accept a male or female if they met their age/size requirements? q Yes q No Why or why not?
Would they consider fostering a special needs or senior Dane? q Yes q No Why or why not?
Would they be willing to foster a litter or a puppy? q Yes q No
Would you be comfortable leaving your dog with this family? q Yes q No Why or why not?
What is the best thing about fostering a Dane?
What is the worst thing about fostering a Dane?
Are they prepared for the hurt and feeling of loss that can occur when their foster leaves them for it’s new home?
What are their feelings about a dog getting on furniture?
What are their feelings about chewing?
How do you think they would react if they came home and found the dog standing on top of the kitchen table? What would they do?
Please check which applies to your feelings towards the applicant/household: q Outstanding, I want to be fostered by these people q Great home, lots of love, great attitude, really excited q Good people, a dog would be happy to live with them q Something specific might affect the dog’s quality of life (please state specifics below) q I would be reluctant to place a dog here, but no reason to deny them (please identify the basis of your reluctance)