Circle Tail, Inc.

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Foster Family Program

Foster families are vital to Circle Tail’s mission. Foster families provide a means to house, train, and nurture Circle Tail assistance dogs-in-training and dogs for adoption.  They carefully socialize pups and dogs and reinforce basic and advanced obedience.  Volunteer foster families must be willing and able to devote time each day to oversee the complete care of the dog including:  feeding, grooming, socialization, and exercise as recommended by Circle Tail staff.  Fostering these wonderful dogs is a rewarding and memorable experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will I have the dog?

The length of time you foster a dog will depend on several factors. They may be in your home for a weekend or for a few months. 

Dogs for adoption are placed on our website while they are in foster homes. If a potential adopter is interested in meeting the dog, we will ask that the dog be returned to Circle Tail. We may also decide that the dog should go back into the prison for additional training. Generally, dogs for adoption stay in foster families for a few weeks to a few months.

As with dogs for adoption, the length of time an assistance dog in training stays in a foster family varies.  Generally, these dogs stay in foster homes longer than dogs for adoption. The goal is to expose the dog to  many different environments and experiences without overwhelming the dog. Our goal is that dogs are able to go to work, shopping, and family functions with their foster family and are able to use their skills over a few months time. These experiences will allow the foster family to provide us good feedback on the dog's progress. 

Our primary goal is to expose dogs for adoption and assistance dogs in training to home environments. We're not as concerned about the length of time the dog spends with a foster family so much as the quality of the experience they receive in the home. 

What equipment will Circle Tail provide and what do I have to provide? 

Circle Tail will provide supplies necessary for proper care of the dog, including appropriate food, leashes/collars, and a crate. In addition, monthly heartworm pills, flea and tick treatment, and any necessary medications will be supplied. Circle Tail will also take care of veterinary check-ups. 

We request that you will supply appropriate treats and toys that are kept in your home for the foster dogs. Of course, Circle Tail will gladly accept any other supplies or other costs that foster families want to contribute to the foster dog program. These supplies and costs are tax-deductible.

I would like to adopt a dog, but I’m not sure which one? Can I foster first to see if I like a particular dog?

Circle Tail volunteers and trainers spend a great deal of time providing training and guidance to each foster family.  Our hope is that the foster family realizes the personal satisfaction that comes from working with the dogs and the family wants to continue to foster a variety of dogs. We ask that prospective foster families view the foster family program with a degree of commitment. 

The Circle Tail Adoption Committee makes every attempt to match approved families with appropriate shelter dogs. Circle Tail also has a trial period where families can make sure the dog is a fit for their family. There is no need to go through the foster family program to find a dog to adopt. 

What is the difference between fostering a dog for adoption and an assistance dog in training?

Dogs for adoption are available for adoption to the general public. They receive house training and basic obedience training through the Inmate/Canine Educational Program. The dogs are then rotated into foster families where their house manners and obedience training are reinforced. Foster families also provide valuable information about the dog's behavior in a home environment which helps us to match them with the best type of family.

Assistance dogs in training require more advanced dog handling skills. It is especially important for assistance dogs in training to be rotated into foster families. While the dogs receive one-on-one training in advanced obedience commands through the Inmate/Canine Educational Program, they also need to be socialized to as many environments and experiences as possible. Since these dogs will likely accompany their partner to public places such as stores, restaurants, and public transportation, it is important to expose the dogs in training to these experiences. Foster families are the dog's link to the outside world and they provide Circle Tail trainers valuable feedback on how the dog behaves in public and the dog's willingness to work. 

Can I start out fostering assistance dogs in training?

Because of the more advanced level of dog handling required to work with an assistance dog in training, new foster families start out by fostering dogs for adoption. As the foster family gains more experience with basic dog care and training, the family can then move on to working with assistance dogs in training.

What if I have another dog or cat in the house? 

Circle Tail does place foster dogs in home with other animals on a case by case basis. For homes with other dogs, Circle Tail will request that the family bring the family dog(s) to Circle Tail during the interview process to assess the dog's behavior and response to other dogs. For homes with cats, foster dogs with appropriate behavior toward cats will be placed.

Will I receive training or instruction on how to work with the dog?

Circle Tail will provide assistance with basic training and house training. Foster families are strongly encouraged to attend obedience classes held at Circle Tail. In addition, foster families become members of the Assistance Dog Club of Circle Tail. The club  provides support and idea sharing between teams, trainers, and the community. Please visit the ADC of CT page for more information.

I'm afraid I'll get too attached to the dog to give him/her up.

We hope you enjoy your experience with each of your foster dogs. The experience and guidance you provide to each of your foster dogs gives them a greater chance to succeed in their new home or even better, to improve the life of someone with a disability. While it may be difficult to give up a foster dog, never lose sight of the fact that there is another dog waiting in the wings for your all-important training and guidance. Each dog you foster is one more dog that is given another chance at life. When you realize that, it becomes a little easier to return the dog to Circle Tail to continue its life journey to its forever home. 

If you feel that becoming a foster family is right for you, please complete the foster family application. The Foster Family Coordinatorwill contact you to discuss the next step. Thanks for your interest in the Circle Tail program!