We're 100% volunteer-run. That means we run on people like you.

Most people are suitable to foster dogs, including people who work full time, have other pets at home, live in an apartment, have kids, are retired, or have a busy schedule. It is all about finding the right rescue dog for you.

Suitable foster carers must ensure…

1. You have the time to properly care for a dog.
2. Your home and property is fully fenced.
3. You can provide a safe, comfortable, and secure environment for a dog.
4. That everyone in your household is onboard to foster a dog.
5. Your landlord will allow you to keep a dog on their property.

Yes. When you start fostering, you and your support coordinator will discuss what type of rescue dog would suit your home, family and lifestyle. Your coordinator will suggest a number of dogs that may suit. You will always have a choice. Once you have fostered once, you will get access to information on all dogs available for foster care, and you can choose a dog that will suit.

No. Fostering with Starting Over Dog Rescue will not cost you any money. You are provided with everything you need to care for your dog. Supplies include food and bowls, bedding, toys, crates, enclosures, collars and tags, health care equipment and all medications such as worming or flea treatment.

All vet bills are covered at our nominated vet clinics. These vet clinics are located all around Victoria.

Providing a safe, secure, and loving home for a rescue dog is of upmost importance. Fostering encompasses all the normal responsibilities of caring for an animal, such as feeding, grooming, and walking. We ask that you take a dog into your home and treat them like one of the family.

Most foster dogs will require vet care. This can be as simple as vaccinations or getting microchipped or sometimes there are more complex health care needs. You must be available to take your foster dog to the vet for any necessary medical care.

A dog will be in foster care until they are adopted. This time can vary considerably; however, all dogs must be in foster care for a minimum of 2 weeks.

Responsibilities also include being part of the adoption process. You will need to write up a little profile about your foster dog, go through the applications you receive and choose an applicant. As a foster carer, there is no one better to choose a forever home for your dog than you! You know your foster dog better than anyone else and it makes sense that you choose where they live their best life.

We ask that you foster a dog until we find its forever home. This will be a minimum of 2 weeks but may be longer. If unavoidable circumstances arise, we can assist in finding another foster carer for the dog.

Absolutely. Every foster carer has a coordinator to guide them through the fostering process, answer questions and provide support until their foster dog is adopted.

You’ll also become part of our foster carer community, where hundreds of carers share advice, celebrate the wins and help each other through the trickier moments.

Some dogs arrive in care feeling frightened, overwhelmed or unsure of the world. Others may need extra support with their behaviour. You won’t be expected to figure it out alone. Your coordinator and experienced carers will help you understand what is happening and put practical management strategies in place.

If the placement isn’t right for you or the dog, we’ll work with you to find the most appropriate next step.