Originally Posted by madamekelly
My one and only attempt to foster dogs was just as ugly.
We went to the local no-kill shelter because they asked for volunteers. As I filled out the paperwork, DH talked to the caretakers. We went to see 'our' foster. Sammy was cute as can be. I walked back inside just in time to hear the last part of a conversation. "I have to give Sammy his meds" I followed the speaker, (not the director) and asked "what meds does Sammy need?" She cheerfully replied "Oh it's just for mange. He has to have a bath every other day to keep it under control". Mange?! I was very clear that I had four other pets at home! I walked back out front and asked the director about the mange (that she never mentioned). She looked me in the eye and stated"Oh don't worry, it is manageable, just bathe him every other day and you will be fine." I just had to ask "why not just cure it?" Again, looking me right in the eye stated "Oh, mange is incurable." This woman runs a shelter??????
Mange IS curable with an application of 'blue coat' or similar product. Needless to say we left, went home and got the prescription from the vet, since we had touched Sammy, in case our animals caught it. I hate STUPID people. WE do not 'foster' dogs through that woman!
Oh brother. I kinda freaked about mange when I first had a dog with it. Depends on the mange. Demodectic is not contagious it is connected to the immune system all dogs have the mite its usually when their immune system is low the mites take over. First thing I did with all my pups was colostrum then echinchea and fish oil. all to build the immune system. Cleared it up but they have to be careful to stay healthy. The other is sarcoptic ? that is contagious. I have had fosters with both and never a problem Ivermectin on a weekly basis is used too. I forget for which one.
She should have known her stuff though and let you know before she let you decide to take the dog. Its only fair.
The lady from this rescue came to pick up the other stuff today that was for Angel. She said Angel is going to two girls who are groomers that have experience with dogs. I guess 8 years of fostering are not enough. Maybe I was just lucky. Of course in my old rescue Angel would never have been placed in a home anyway after biting someone she would have gone to stay at a boarding facility where a trainer could evaluate her and work with her.
I was also told that if I foster I should expect fights between my dogs and the fosters. Never happened. Maybe because our dogs were very carefully screened before they went to fosters. The only foster I know of that had fights was one who took way too many animals and she had a feral that decided she would live in the house but not have anything to do with anyone but my friend. After the 5th or 6th fight that ended up with my friend having severe damage done to her hand the decision was made to put the dog down. She just wasn't safe to have in a house with other dogs or people. She would go after everyone by M.
I hope it doesn't happen but if Angel doesn't go to a proper trainer with someone who is very trained in behavioural issues I see someone getting hurt.