🐾 Foster Story One: Why Do We Do It?
How many animals have you fostered?
I have a totally of 7 fosters, for an average a couple months each and 4 others but only for a 1-2 days each.
In your opinion, why is fostering beneficial for the rescue animal?
Fostering is so important because it allows these animals a second chance at life and to be re-stabilized physically and emotionally and increases their chances of adoption. It allows us to work on any behavioral issues, basic training, get an idea of the animals likes and dislikes, and allows them to get out of horrible situations faster than if rescues had to wait for an adopter. I found fostering so rewarding and I LOVED it!!! Yes it’s work and emotionally/mentally taxing at times but it can be flexible and knowing you are changing the lives of one or a few or a lot of animals makes it all worth it Seeing them start off as shy and skittish to seeing their personality blossom when they know they are safe and the progression in general is also very rewarding!
How is fostering beneficial for you/your family or what is rewarding about it?
Fostering even benefitted my own dog. Prior to fostering he wasn’t great around others, was very snappy and standoffish and now he is great around most and much more tolerant, plus it was sweet to see him bond and play with each of the fosters I had I went into fostering feeling very strongly that I would not be adopting, as my hope was to continue fostering.
Do you get attached - how do you say goodbye when the time comes?
I got attached for sure, but constantly reminded myself that I was just a stepping stone in this animals life to get them to their forever home. Also, I often took in puppies which was a lot of work so by the end I was often ready for a break! Would have I kept every single foster I had if I could? Absolutely, I loved them all and they all have a special place in my heart! You just have to keep reminding yourself why you are doing it and the more animals you can help the better! I definitely always had a good cry when I sent my foster off to their new home, gave them their favorite toy to keep, and seeing them go off with their loving family definitely helps with the pain because not every animal gets that and knowing your foster is going somewhere it will be loved is the ultimate goal and you can’t ask for anything more! I am still in contact with many of my fosters and their families and still get updates 1-2 years later and have made great friends along the way!
What advice would you give to someone thinking about fostering for the first time?
My advice to somebody considering fostering is DO IT!!!! There is support, most rescues provide supplies and many people involved in rescue are open to temporarily watching your foster if you need to go away which makes it more doable! The length of time you have a foster definitely varies, but in the grand scheme of your lifetime it’s usually a very short period of time, not a life time commitment, so sometimes the best of both worlds for some people! The amount of stray, sick, abused, and suffering animals out there is astounding so if we can help just some of them, we are making a difference! Rescues also help to educate the public, ensure these animals get proper medical attention, vaccinations, and are spayed/neutered which then lowers the number of animals that are neglected/abused. Fostering is definitely not easy but I absolutely loved it and would have totally kept doing it if I was able, it was one of the best things I have done in life thus far!
