GETTING YOUR FOSTER DOG ADOPTED QUICKLY*

	Attend as many dog related events as you can
	o	OBG sponsored
	 	The Foster Compliance Agreement requires fosters to attend two shows a month, but if you attend more, you increase the opportunities for your foster dog to find its forever home.  Be on time or early for shows.  Please have your foster dog groomed, and face washed so that your foster presents a good appearance to the public.
 	Fundraising events often offer opportunities to showcase your dog as well
	o	Non-OBG events
	 	Attend pet related events even if OBG has no presence at them
 	Advise everyone who stops to admire your foster dog that he is looking for a good home
 	Take your furry friend to a dog park for a day of playing and promoting him to potential adopters….existing dog owners most often make great adopters

	Update your dog’s bio regularly
	o	Bios should be updated as you learn more about your foster dog
o	You can draft your own bio and send to doginfo@cockerpanielrescue.com
	 	If you’d like to create your own bio, please adhere to the following guidelines for writing a good bio which can be found at www.cockerspanielrescue.com/forms/bioguidelines.rtf
	o	You can send informational updates to the doginfo email address.

	Update your dog’s photos
	o	New, appealing photos can work wonders to encourage people to view the bio
o	Dogs photograph best outside, preferably on the grass or a wooden deck
o	Pictures taken in the shade generally look better than those taken in the direct sunlight
o	Keep the camera handy for those times that you see your foster dog striking a cute pose, inside or outside

	Post a video if you can
	o	If you have a digital camera that takes videos, prepare a 3 – 6 second video of your foster dog that can be placed on website. AVI and MPG files work the best.
o	These videos will also be uploaded to PetFinder and Save-A-Pet websites

	Be responsive to all inquiries
	o	Inquiries should be acknowledged within 48 hours of receipt
o	The early bird gets the worm…many times adopters will send multiple inquiries and the first foster to respond has a better chance of getting their dog placed
o	Please notify your Volunteer Coordinator if you will be unable to meet this goal due to vacation, work travel, etc.  We will make alternative arrangements during your time away.
o	If you are not sure about an inquiry on your dog, contact your Volunteer Coordinator or email adoptinquiry@cockerspanielrescue.com .  Always consult before declining a potential adoption, we may have another dog that might be appropriate for them. 

	Promote your dog wherever you go
	o	Outfit your foster dog with an "Adopt Me" cape or bandana whenever you go on walks or to places where he will be seen by people (when available we will have them at adoption events).

o	Prepare a customized flyer describing your dog and have it available to distribute when appropriate
 	Scroll down to “generate a foster flyer” and click on there.  Once you get to that page, you simply click on your foster dog’s name and a flyer will automatically generate.
 	Please use only this flyer as it is consistent with OBG's rules and regulations
 	Spend an afternoon distributing the flyers and/or go to select places (dog parks, vets, local pet stores, coffee shops, etc.) and post them on community boards
o	If you work with an obedience trainer, ask them to help you spread the word about your foster dog
o	Always carry a few of the OBG Volunteer Business Cards.  When people stop to ask
you about your dog(s), you can give them a card if they express an interest in OBG.

*Please remember that even though we want to do everything we possibly can to place our foster dogs quickly, we will still be as discerning as ever when considering potential adopters. We will continue to help adopters find the dog that best fits their lifestyle, and adopters always need to have an approved application, an approved home check, execute an Adoption Contract and pay the adoption fee.