Shelters are full, and the dogs just keep coming. If you or someone you know has ever fostered a dog, you know how rewarding it can be. It is the best opportunity for a dog to have a short term stay in a home and then move to a permanent new family.
You are helping animals and your community!
Many people think that dogs are always at a rescue facility, and that these shelters are mostly run by the county or a non-profit organization. This is where lots of strays, owner-surrendered dogs or unidentified dogs mostly end up. They do not hold dogs indefinitely, as they do not have the room. Rescues for various breed groups will pull dogs for their organizations from the county shelters. Many dogs are euthanized if they are not adopted due to behavioral issues, old age, medical reasons, or just bad luck.
Sometimes a dog may just need a home for a few weeks and other times it may be a more extended stay. In some instances, dog stay longer to learn basic manners like sit, stay, and no jumping.
Families that have children may be considering a dog of their own. Fostering is a great way to see if the family is up to the challenges of exercising, training, feeding, and grooming that their dog may require.
If you have not had a dog before, fostering is a great way to explore the possibility of having a pet in the family on a short-term basis. It is also an excellent way to do community service work and give back to your neighborhood. You are helping animals stay off the streets and offering them a safe and loving environment. A kennel can be a good temporary holding place, but it can also be isolating and scary if a dog has never been anywhere but in a house with people.
Fostering a dog can help you find what you do and do not want in choosing a dog for your situation.
If you are concerned about costs of keeping the dog, don’t be! Most organizations will provide a crate and bed, as well as leash, collar, a microchip and even food. Dogs should be up to date on all vaccinations when they are taken in. The rescue also does vet checks, spay/neutering and other medical care required during fostering.
The hosting family will keep their canine house guest for a specified amount of time that is agreed upon in advance. You may even take your foster dog to a rescue adoption event, which is a happy fun place to be. Seeing dogs find a loving new home can be your next good deed or way to pay it forward.
Please consider fostering a pet until they find their forever home. Sometimes that may be you, and if so that is ok, too! We routinely work with many great rescues that need foster family help.
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