Become a
Foster Family
Why Become a Foster Family?
Opening your home and giving your time to a Mira puppy is more than just a generous act: it is an active role in the socialization of a future guide or service dog that will change the life of someone seeking greater independence and a better quality of life.
What Does the Role of a Foster Family Entail?
The foster family’s mission is to guide the puppy through its first year of life by teaching the basics of daily life and supporting its development. This role specifically includes:
Maintaining good health and providing regular veterinary care at the Mira clinic;
Developing good basic behavior;
Promoting proper socialization in a variety of environments.
More specifically, during its stay, the puppy will learn to:
Be house-trained;
Lie down only in appropriate places (no beds or couches);
Eat only dog food;
Chew only on approved toys;
Become familiar with different environments (public spaces, urban areas, public transit).
Important
Foster families are not instructors. Their role is to care for the puppy during its socialization period. Training to become a guide or assistance dog is carried out later by Mira’s instructors.
Eligibility criteria
To become a foster family, it is important to meet the following criteria:
Have time, patience, and availability;
Be at least 18 years old;
Travel to Sainte-Marie-Madeleine for an average of 10 mandatory appointments (behavior sessions and veterinary check-ups);
Not leave the puppy alone for more than 4 hours per day.
Mira remains the owner of the puppy and reserves the right to take it back at any time if its safety or development is at risk.
*Please note that it is possible to foster a Mira puppy even if you already have a pet at home.
The process
Individuals interested in becoming a foster family must complete a detailed form, allowing us to better understand their motivations and experience with dogs.
An in-person meeting is then arranged at Mira in Sainte-Marie-Madeleine to inform the prospective foster family about the puppy’s socialization process and the responsibilities involved.
Once approved, puppies, at 9 weeks of age, are placed with foster families for a period of 12 to 18 months.
Mandatory behavior sessions will take place at our facilities to guide the foster family in their role.
Throughout the entire foster period, Mira provides:
Food (courtesy of our partner Vetdiet);
Veterinary care;
Accessories such as a collar, bandana, and leash;
An identification letter allowing access to public spaces.
Application
Those interested in becoming a foster family must first complete a detailed form, which allows us to better understand their motivations and experience with dogs.