Stock Up on Supplies

PAWS Chicago will provide:

• Food
• Crate
• Formula/Milk Replacer
• Collars and leashes
• Any necessary medications

You will provide:

• Food bowls: You will need two bowls—one for wet food and one for dry food for the mom. For the puppies, any relatively flat saucer will work. The larger the litter, the larger the saucer should be so that no one gets crowded out. It’s important that every dog has access to his food at all times.
• Water bowl: Use ceramic, porcelain or stainless steel bowls, which are heavy and impossible to tip. Do not use plastic; it is difficult to disinfect. It’s important that every dog has access to clean water at all times.
• Scale This may not always be necessary, but it can be helpful in tracking the puppies’ weight, which should increase approximately 4 oz. per week.
• Bedding: Old towels make the best bedding and nest for your foster puppies.
• Heating pad: Unless the nursery is at least 85° and your puppies are two weeks or older, you need to supply extra heat.
• Toys: Disposable and easily sanitized toys are a must! Good choices include Kong-brand toys stuffed with treats and edible toys.

Make Sure It’s Safe

Puppies are curious, playful and often mischievous. Don’t leave anything out that your foster pet can chew, swallow or break (electrical cords, hair ties, glassware, etc.). Look for places where your foster can hide and be sure to block access to those areas.

One tip: Lie down on the floor and look at your safe space from your new foster’s point of view to ensure it’s completely safe.

Caring for Your Foster Mom and Litter

• Isolation
  Keep your foster dog and puppies isolated from any other animals in the home unless otherwise discussed. One significant aspect of fostering underage puppies is that you are dealing with animals that have not yet developed immunity to a variety of potentially fatal canine diseases. While you might be anxious to take the puppies out, they must not walk on any surfaces (such as parks or sidewalks) where another dog may have urinated or defecated. Even if it appears clean, it may still be harboring contagious diseases. So it is imperative for puppies to stay in the home until they have been fully vaccinated. The most common symptoms of illness in a puppy are vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and lack of appetite. If your puppy exhibits any of these symptoms, please contact our Emergency Line at 773-354-6520.
• Handling
  Young children should not handle the foster puppies. Everyone should wash their hands after handling animals, fecal waste or litter boxes.
• Health checks
  It is crucial that you monitor your foster dog’s appetite, attitude, energy level and appearance every day. We encourage our foster parents to keep a log. If something seems off or different, it’s easy to go back and pinpoint when the problem began.
• Warmth
  It is very important to keep the puppies warm. A heating pad is ideal for doing this. If you are using a crate, place the heating pad under half of the crate so they can move away from the heat if they need to. Set the heating pad to medium. The more puppies in your litter, the better able they will be to keep warm by sleeping together in a heap. Small litters and singletons need help keeping warm. Singletons should also be given a stuffed fluffy toy to cuddle.
• Weighing
  We ask that you weigh your puppies at the same time each day and keep track of any gains or losses. Ideally, puppies gain 0.25-0.5 oz. per day. If your puppies are not eating or are losing weight, please contact our foster team right away. We will likely need you to bring your puppy in immediately for a medical check.
• Feeding
  Your foster family should be fed at least three to four times daily. Please feed the mom the food we have provided. If she refuses to eat her food, please contact us. We will help you determine your next steps. Wash her wet food dish between servings. If you have multiple foster pets, always be sure to feed them in separate crates or separate parts of the house. If your foster dogs (or your foster and resident pet) are fighting over food or toys, contact us immediately.
• Housetraining
  Scoop the litter box in the morning and evening. Clay litter should be changed every other day for two kittens or daily for two or more kittens or if the kittens have diarrhea. Note stool consistency.
• Enrichment
  
  • Mom: At the beginning, take your adult foster dog outside 20 minutes after she has eaten or has had water and every hour that you are home. Take her to a designated “potty spot” and praise her every time she goes with a happy voice and a treat. Note stool consistency. If you can’t supervise your new foster dog, she should be crated.
  • Puppies: Put your puppies on the pee pads as soon as they wake up, right after eating and at least once an hour until they start to do it themselves. Reward them with enthusiastic praise every time they urinate or defecate on the pad. Change the pads frequently and encourage them to use it. Note stool consistency.
• Socialization
  Socialization starts the moment mom allows people to handle the puppies (usually by the middle of the first week). Even before their eyes and ears open, it’s important they get used to new scents and understand that gentle handling is normal and pleasurable. Encourage affectionate behavior with food treats or play sessions. Puppies should meet new people as often as possible. Use the Socialization Checklist to ensure your puppy is being properly socialized.
• Vaccines
  Puppies will need routine visits with our veterinarians regardless of their health. They need to be vaccinated every two weeks. Please check with your foster coordinator to find out when they need to be brought in for their next vaccine.