If you have time, patience and room for more pets- fostering is a great thing. I have fostered for years and here is what I know:
You are helping a loving animal (in this case a dog). The foster groups will spay/neuter, get them up-to date (UTD) on all shots and medical care. They will also pay for the monthly flea and heart worm prevention. I know we need many more homes and often will have donor to pay for food and leashes/dog beds, and toys if financial assistance is needed. The rescue group also pays for the medical care. We just need more good homes.
Over 6 million dogs are "put to sleep" in shelters each year. There are more dogs than loving, dedicated homes.We need people that will work with the dog, give it love, teach it, and give feedback to the group as they search for a forever home. It is also a great way to "try before you buy". The dog needs a temporary home and you can try them out in your surroundings. If you fall in love, then you become the very coveted foster failure and you adopt the dog for your very own.
If you have a dog that is not a fit in your household, the rescue group will take the animal back and find it a new foster so the risk is minimal. You can request a large dog, small, old, young, healthy, special needs, breed specific, etc. We especially need homes for older, larger, mixed breed dogs. They all give love and need love just the same.
One day we won't need a lot of fosters because there will be more homes wanting dogs than available dogs. This will happen through education, spay/neuter programs, shutting down puppy mills, and promoting adoption vs. buying from a breeder. Simple enough. And it is happening around the world, not just the US.
Fostering is incredibly rewarding. You are saving a life. And they are enriching yours. I learn something from every dog that comes to my home. They can teach us so much, are a joy to have, and make us laugh as each has a unique personality.
The best thing is that fostering allows us to see the dog's true personality. We witness how they interact with other dogs, people, kids, cats, etc. And we do this in a true home setting- not a shelter or pen, where dogs are not settled and at ease. Many dogs in shelters pace, fear bite, act shy, or are hyper because they are so damn excited to see someone and play. Fosters give society a real look at the dog- the good and the "needs work" with their insight. And best of all, we get them ready for a life beyond the doors of our home.
I cry every time a dog leaves my home but I am also happy. I know the family is a good one (checked out by references, house visit, call to their vet, etc), chose this animal specifically, and is excited about the new family member. Luckily all the adoptions have worked out- I train the dogs, they get lots of love and exercise, and the new family knows everything about the dog so they can make an informed decision. This greatly increases the chances of a perfect match, and having the new family keep the dog forever.
When that dogs leaves, you know as a foster, YOU helped find it the best home with more information, and that you now can do it all over again. You can help another dog find its forever home. And along the way, they will find you.
I hope everyone will consider fostering.
Karla
You are helping a loving animal (in this case a dog). The foster groups will spay/neuter, get them up-to date (UTD) on all shots and medical care. They will also pay for the monthly flea and heart worm prevention. I know we need many more homes and often will have donor to pay for food and leashes/dog beds, and toys if financial assistance is needed. The rescue group also pays for the medical care. We just need more good homes.
Over 6 million dogs are "put to sleep" in shelters each year. There are more dogs than loving, dedicated homes.We need people that will work with the dog, give it love, teach it, and give feedback to the group as they search for a forever home. It is also a great way to "try before you buy". The dog needs a temporary home and you can try them out in your surroundings. If you fall in love, then you become the very coveted foster failure and you adopt the dog for your very own.
If you have a dog that is not a fit in your household, the rescue group will take the animal back and find it a new foster so the risk is minimal. You can request a large dog, small, old, young, healthy, special needs, breed specific, etc. We especially need homes for older, larger, mixed breed dogs. They all give love and need love just the same.
One day we won't need a lot of fosters because there will be more homes wanting dogs than available dogs. This will happen through education, spay/neuter programs, shutting down puppy mills, and promoting adoption vs. buying from a breeder. Simple enough. And it is happening around the world, not just the US.
Fostering is incredibly rewarding. You are saving a life. And they are enriching yours. I learn something from every dog that comes to my home. They can teach us so much, are a joy to have, and make us laugh as each has a unique personality.
The best thing is that fostering allows us to see the dog's true personality. We witness how they interact with other dogs, people, kids, cats, etc. And we do this in a true home setting- not a shelter or pen, where dogs are not settled and at ease. Many dogs in shelters pace, fear bite, act shy, or are hyper because they are so damn excited to see someone and play. Fosters give society a real look at the dog- the good and the "needs work" with their insight. And best of all, we get them ready for a life beyond the doors of our home.
I cry every time a dog leaves my home but I am also happy. I know the family is a good one (checked out by references, house visit, call to their vet, etc), chose this animal specifically, and is excited about the new family member. Luckily all the adoptions have worked out- I train the dogs, they get lots of love and exercise, and the new family knows everything about the dog so they can make an informed decision. This greatly increases the chances of a perfect match, and having the new family keep the dog forever.
When that dogs leaves, you know as a foster, YOU helped find it the best home with more information, and that you now can do it all over again. You can help another dog find its forever home. And along the way, they will find you.
I hope everyone will consider fostering.
Karla
