Thinking About Fostering a Whelping Dog? Here’s What You Need to Know!
So, you’re considering opening your home to a mama dog and her puppies. Amazing! Becoming a whelping foster home is one of the most rewarding (and fun!) experiences you can have. You’ll be helping a mama dog raise her puppies in a safe, loving environment, giving them the best possible start to life.
If “whelping” sounds intimidating, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. This guide will walk you through what whelping actually involves, what you’ll need and what to expect as your foster puppies grow.
What You Need to Foster a Whelping Dog
Becoming a whelping foster home is easier than you might think. Here’s what’s required:
- A quiet space separate from other pets. Many of our foster homes use a heated garage, unfinished basement, or a closed-off room. Easy-to-clean floors are best, but tarps or laminate pieces can also protect your space.
- A time commitment of up to 8 weeks. Mama and her pups stay with you until the puppies are ready to move into foster homes of their very own.
That’s it! AARCS will provide everything else, like a whelping box or kiddie pool, food for mama and pups (once they’re old enough), pee pads and ongoing support.
The Stages of Whelping Puppies
Wondering what the next eight weeks will look like? Here’s a breakdown, straight from our experienced whelping foster home team:
0-4 Weeks: The Potato Stage
This is the easiest phase of whelping! Mama will do most of the work here. Your job is to change bedding, weigh the puppies and keep an eye on their growth. At this age, the puppies mostly just feed from mama and curl up in adorable cuddle puddles!
4-6 Weeks: Wobbly Explorers
At this phase, the pups are starting to eat slurry (softened, mashed food). They move around like wobbly little sailors and they start to discover the world! Your role for this period is more hands-on: play with them, feed them and clean up all their smelly little messes. This is when their personalities start to shine!
7-8 Weeks: Mischief and Entertainment
This is the point where mama will begin to wean the pups and teach them some manners. At this phase, the pups will transition to softened and then regular puppy kibble. They have those sharp little landshark teeth, loads of energy and endless curiosity. Prepare for chaos and hilarious moments! You might be counting down the days at this point.
8 Weeks: Time to Say Goodbye
This is the bittersweet stage when you’ll bid adieu to your little babies! Each pup will move onto their very own foster home, ready to take on the world thanks to the safe and loving start you gave them. While goodbyes can be tough, there’s nothing quite like the joy of knowing you helped set them up for success in their forever homes.
Why Foster Whelping Dogs? Hear from Our Volunteers!
- “We have had over 300 fosters come through our home. By far the most rewarding are the whelping litters. Watching the puppies grow from little potatoes to confident adoptable pups is an amazing experience. And the Moms… Well, that is an experience that is hard to describe. They give everything for their puppies and they are so appreciative of everything you give them.” –Kelly
- “It really is amazing to have a wonderful support group! And the joy! It is a wicked cool experience!” –Nicole
- “I involved my grandson when he was very young and it’s been such a huge heartwarming experience for him! He’s 3 now, very helpful and has learned a lot about boundaries and respect for animals.” –Sandy
Frequently Asked Questions About Fostering Whelping Dogs:
- Do I need to work from home to foster a whelping litter? Nope! We just recommend that someone can check in mid-day so mama dog can eat and have a bathroom break. If you can’t, our team of “puppy nannies” may be able to help.
- Do I have to live in Calgary? We welcome whelping foster homes in both Calgary and Edmonton areas! You’ll just need to be able to bring mom and puppies to our AARCS Veterinary Hospital in Calgary or a partner clinic in Edmonton for vaccines and check-ups.
- Can I foster a whelping litter if I have kids or other animals? Yes, absolutely! It’s important that mom and pups stay completely separate from other animals. As with any dog, be sure to supervise interactions with kids.
- How long is the commitment of whelping? Mom and pups will stay with you until the puppies are 8-weeks-old. At this point, they’ll move into their very own foster homes.
- What if I have questions or something goes wrong? You’ll never be alone in this! AARCS provides 24/7 emergency support, ongoing veterinary care, and a network of experienced whelping foster homes to guide you.
Ready to Foster Puppies?
Becoming a whelping foster home is an incredible way to make a difference for both mama dogs and their puppies. You’ll laugh, you’ll learn and yes… you’ll fall in love. Most importantly, you’ll play a vital role in giving puppies the healthy, happy start they deserve.
Get started today by applying to be a dog foster home at aarcs.ca/foster. Once your application has been approved, you’ll have a few short training modules to complete, and then you’re ready to take home your first litter!
Kayli McClelland
Communications Specialist
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