[jelly450]

Hello,

We have 3 pets, 2 St. Bernard ages 2 and 6 and 1 blue & gold macaw. Of course the dogs are big couch potatoes and my bird stays on a huge perch that is very tall.

Will they have problems with my animals?

[Mkuhlmann06]

At least where I am, they have no problem with pets - as long as we have documentation that they are up to date on their vaccinations (we have 2 dogs and 1 cat). We also have 2 parakeets, but they've never been to the vet. They didn't seem to have a problem with this at all.

[zebramom]

The only thing I would worry about is the kids hurting the dogs. Although as big as St. Bernard's are, they might not even think about it.

[jstodd01]

I have a 100lb bloodhound and a 50lb mutt. My dogs love the attention and the workers know what they do for the kids in our home. So, no you shouldn't have any problems with pets. just make sure they are up to date on shots and you will be fine.

[Bug-n-Bears-Mommy]

Here in WA, our licensor always comments on how friendly our animals are...a black lab (65 lbs) and a yellow lad (110lbs). All we have to do is keep the vaccinations up to date.

[tpakra]

I agree, we have 2 boxers and 3 cats, we just had to give them their shot records and make sure thatthey were all up to date.

The woman that taught our pre=licensing course has a rottweiller, and I had asked her about animals in the home with foster children, and she said that it's ok as long as you are always supervising the kids interaction with the pets, i.e. dont leave a two year old alone with a rotty.

[jigger]

I have two saint bernards and a cat. Our CW LOVES them. As long as they all have their shots they shouldn't have a problem. . .

[hopetobedad]

Same in Nh...they just need to be up to date on shots and they may ask about how they do around children.

[vesw01]

we ask how the kids are with the animals and if there are any allergies before accepting them - we won't get rid of our dogs or cat.

[Nicole Elaine]

We have five cats, a parrotlet, and a tree frog. It sounds worse than it is, really! LOL Anyway, like everyone else said, they said it's not a problem as long as they have their vaccines.

[jelly450]

I am considering getting a pot bellied pig. Anyone have one of those? Any problems?

[Mkuhlmann06]

Ive heard they are actually smarter and easier to train than dogs! They are probably less aggressive than some types of dogs... I can't imagine there would be any problems, as long as vaccinated.

[queenjane]

The standard answer seems to be "as long as they have their shots"....my question is why? Why does having a dog or cat vaccinated against dog or cat illnesses have anything to do with having a foster child? Is this just another pat requirement they come up with, another hoop to jump through? I guess i can see having a rabies shot (although it would be QUITE rare for a housepet to contract and then transmit rabies to a family member), but the majority of vaccines animals get are for animal diseases only. It would make more sense to make sure the animals are parasite free, than to insist on vaccines.


Katherine

[Michele81]

We have a 35 & a 90 pound dog & the worker was thrilled to see them. She said the same thing as above, though - be concerned about the kids hurting the dogs & not the other way around!

[BDBryant]

My family and I have considered a foster child but we run a dog rescue and often have unvetted dogs come in. This was a problem with DSS in CA so we never fostered. We have now moved to VA and are very interested but we may have the same problem here.... Too bad cause we would love to open our home to a foster child with the intention of adoption. I will call DSS here to see what they can do to help me. I should be able to help doggies and a child but I know rules are rules...
Bren