The rewards of fostering a dog

Fostering a dog is one of the most rewarding experiences that a person can have. When a dog is fostered, a spot is made available for another dog. Socializing and training a foster dog helps the animal to become more adoptable.

Rescue groups rely on foster homes to provide a more wholesome and loving environment than most animal control or shelter facilities can offer. Many rescue groups do not have a physical shelter and therefore depend upon foster homes to care for dogs until a suitable home is found. Another reason that a foster home might be needed if a dog is recovering from surgery or an illness and needs to be in a home to recuperate.

Some dogs are too stressed by a shelter environment and blossom in a home setting. Many homeless dogs are not properly socialized and this process can be better facilitated in a home. Young puppies are safer from germs and diseases in a foster home, rather than in a shelter environment. The most vital reason a dog might need to be fostered is that shelters often run out of room for dogs and this can result in euthanasia.

If you are unsure of how to begin your journey to becoming a foster home, research rescue groups in your area or contact your local animal control or Shelter for help with selecting a rescue organization. Once you have met a representative of the rescue group, you will most likely need to fill out paperwork that clarifies what responsibilities you will have and the type of support the rescue group will provide. It is vital you understand the philosophy of the rescue organization to make certain the practices employed by the rescue group are things you can be comfortable supporting.

If you believe every dog is adoptable and worthy of saving, you may experience distress with a group that doesn’t feel that euthanizing a dog with health or behavior problems is wrong. Do your research.

Many people do not take part in the fostering experience because they believe they will become too attached to the animal and will be unable to let it go when the time comes.

I am often reminded of this saying when people who want to foster a dog are reluctant to do so because of the sadness of watching their animal friend leave their lives: “I would rather cry watching them leave our home to go live a full, good life in a loving forever home of their own than cry because no one stepped up for them in the shelter where they died all alone, scared, unwanted and unloved.”

Please foster and help save a life.

Angie Lewis is president of Alaska Animal Advocates.