Foster Dogs Welcomed at USDAA/WCRL

We're glad you asked!

Recently a question was posted on the USDAA/WCRL Facebook page:

I have a client who fosters a dog with tremendous sport potential. She’s fostered him about 8 months and is taking a rally class. Can she compete with him? He has no official owner. We think getting him out into a sport arena would open up better adopters for him than a pet home. I know owners, co-owners and immediate family can run a dog, but not sure about this situation. He’s super cute and has so much potential in a lot of sports. The training has been great for him, and I hope this will be allowed.

Response from USDAA/WCRL:

Thanks for raising the question about foster dogs competing. We agree there are many benefits for rescue and foster dogs when they get involved in training and building skills. Fosters are very welcome at WCRL and USDAA. When you foster a dog, you sign on and commit to be responsible for that dog. When any competitor enrolls in a USDAA or WCRL event, an owner or other person then signs an agreement as part of the event entry form that stipulates, in part, that the competitor assumes full responsibility and liability for incidents arising from or actions of themselves and the dog(s) they enter in the event.

Opening doors for fosters to compete

Taylor Brookes, who operates Mountain Dreams Dog Training in Surgoinsville, Tennessee, started a foster dog group training program earlier this year. She offers unlimited free training to fosters and their adoptable dogs, which continues to new owners for three months to help them transition. She has seen the benefits of the training in helping dogs find forever homes, as well as the improvement and confidence gained in training.

“I think USDAA/WCRL allowing foster dogs to compete is wonderful. This will help the dogs be in an environment where there are potential new owners who can really give them a lifestyle they both can enjoy. Many of these dogs have great sport potential, and this is a wonderful opportunity,” Taylor said.

If anyone is competing with a foster and wants to share your story/photos, email us at news@usdaa.com. Thanks for the question, and thank you to all of you who foster and adopt.