The Cruelty Recovery Center in Columbus, Ohio, is urgently in need of foster caregivers for heartworm positive dogs undergoing treatment. With over a dozen dogs in need of temporary homes where they can take it easy during treatment, we are seeking foster caregivers for medium sized dogs (30-60 lb.) for a two-month period.

Fostering a heartworm positive dog isn’t as daunting as you may think and it’s a huge help for the CRC and for the dogs themselves! Treatment for heartworm disease includes one month of antibiotics, one month of rest and then a series of three injections over two months. Our sweet foster pups are already through with the first half of their treatment, they just need somewhere comfy to stay while they undergo the injection portion of their treatments. And not to worry! All of the medical care needed for these dogs is covered by us; you just lend a helping hand during treatment and healing. 

Dogs will receive their first injection at the shelter and then take it easy, resting with you for a month. Their second and third injections will occur a month after the first and will be done 24 hours apart (with an overnight stay at the shelter) and then they’ll again rest with you for one more month. We provide all the supplies, food and medical support needed while fostering and you don’t need any prior experience—you just need to provide the time, space and love!

It's important for dogs undergoing treatment to have limited amounts of physical activity. This would ideally look like a low-key environment to keep them calm and lots of couch or crate time. Walks will be limited to on-leash potty breaks only. This means you don’t need a lot of space, a yard or lots of energy to care for dogs undergoing treatment! 

You can foster heartworm positive dogs even if you have other animals, as long as your animals are up to date on their monthly heartworm prevention. However, it’s very important that fosters don’t get rowdy or overly playful with resident animals. A separate room with a crate is a perfect set up to keep your foster dog calm around resident pets if needed.

You can play a significant part in a dog’s journey to getting healthy by becoming a heartworm foster today. What you give in time and space will be returned beyond measure in the love you get from your foster dog and the feeling you get from helping them get better! And if you happen to fall in love during your time together, these foster dogs are also all available for adoption!

If you are interested in becoming a foster caregiver, please fill out our foster application or reach out to the CRC Foster Team at [email protected].