Can I foster if I have a dog?

Why pets come up in the fostering assessment

It might seem surprising that your dog has anything to do with your ability to foster. But agencies have a duty to ensure that any child placed in your home is safe, and that includes being safe around animals. Many foster children have had little or no experience of dogs, and some may have a fear of them. Others may have experienced animal-related trauma.

This is not a reason to assume the worst. It is simply why the agency will want to understand your dog as part of the broader assessment of your home environment.

What agencies look for

When assessing a household with a dog, an agency will typically look at several things. They will want to know the breed, the age, and the general temperament of the dog. They will ask whether the dog is trained and well-managed. They will want to know how the dog behaves around children and strangers. And they will think about whether there are any concerns specific to the child being considered for placement.

A well-trained, good-natured family dog that is comfortable around children is unlikely to cause any significant issues. An untrained dog with a history of aggression is a different matter entirely.

Breed considerations

Breed alone is not usually a deciding factor, though it is part of the picture. Certain breeds are associated with higher energy or stronger guarding instincts, and agencies may want extra reassurance in those cases. Dogs that are prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 in England would be a more serious concern and would likely prevent fostering.

If you have a breed that is sometimes perceived as intimidating, the key is to demonstrate through the assessment that your specific dog is well-managed, has a good history, and poses no risk to children. Evidence of training, a calm temperament, and positive interactions with children all help.

Matching children to households with dogs

Even if your dog is assessed positively, the agency will think carefully about which children are matched to your home. A child with a serious phobia of dogs, or a child who has experienced a dog-related incident in their past, would not typically be placed in a household with a dog.

This means that having a dog may narrow the range of children you can be matched with, but it does not close the door entirely. Many foster carers with dogs go on to care for multiple children successfully.

Other pets

The same principles apply to other pets, though dogs tend to attract the most scrutiny given their size and the potential for interaction with children. Cats, small animals, and caged pets are rarely a significant issue. Exotic or potentially dangerous animals would be assessed more carefully.

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The bottom line

Having a dog is not a barrier to fostering in most cases. What matters is that your dog is safe, well-managed, and unlikely to pose a risk to a child. Be honest with your agency about your pets from the start and let the assessment take its course.