Foster caring with dogs at home??

[Delilahcrose]

Hello,

Myslf and husband have a large house and my parents also live with us and our twins. We are really keen to become foster carers of mother and baby or under 3s but my mum boards dogs at home for a living.

They are kept separately but as they change each week i don't think they could do the relevant checks. She has usually 1-3 dogs at a time plus our own.

Does anyone know if this will stop us being accepted to foster care?

[LimitedSedition]

I think it will as you can't guarantee the history of the other dogs- always ask though!

[Twopots]

Can you keep the dogs separate from the children?

[Delilahcrose]

Hey, Thanks for your replies. Yes the dogs are kept completely separate from the children except our own dog who of course is able to be assessed as normal.

[willowrose30]

I shouldn't think it would be a major issue. On our dog assessment there were questions for if the house was running as a kennels or breeders so it must be done. You may just have to have a risk assessment etc. Don't let it put you off exploring further, your local authority will be able to give you a definate answer.
Good luck. :)

[Cheeseburglar]

I can't see it would be an issue if the dogs are kept securely away. Good luck with your application!

[Delilahcrose]

oh great thankyou, of course, we would be able to make changes as well to meet the requirements if needed.

That's wonderful news. We've been wanting to apply for a long time but have always thought it wasn't possible.

[Yourarejokingme]

Surely they would do an assessment on the dogs. Doesn't matter if separate or not because kids can find a way. Do remember young mothers are damaged if coming through your doors so they are an unknown entity.

[Claraoswald36]

Don't let it put you off. Let the agency decide if it's an issue. I'm a SW for children in care. 99% of my carers have dogs plus other pets including acquiring different ones regularly and fostering rescue dogs. I tried to convince one to give me an amazing labradoodle she was fostering but I wasn't fast enough!
Lots of my carers have acquired a pet for long term fc. I'm not a fostering agency but I don't see how you can really risk assess rescue kittens but no one bats an eyelid.
We also have carers who are working farmers.
Without even trying I can think of loads of kids I work with who would love living in a house that boards dogs and would want to help out and all sorts. I see it as a bonus
Also I see the extra adults In the house a bonus. You have a lot going for you as potential carers please apply we need you!

[Cassimin]

We have to have pets on our safe care policy and SW needs to do risk assessment. We even needed one on our chickens.
We need to have evidence yearly that dogs and cats are upto date on immunisations.
It is in our handbook that at no time can a child under 11 be left alone with a dog.