What Does It Mean To Foster?

Misty-fostered with Nev

                                                        Gizmo-Fostered with Sue

   When we ask if you want to foster a dog or cat with Partners For Pets do you know what that really means? 

It is saving a life.  Actually two. Your foster and one at the pound.  When you take a dog or cat for a foster it means we can pull another one out of the pound that was going to be put down.  We only have so much space here at the shelter.  The pounds are always full.  We can only take what we have room for though we are always pushing it to the limits to take one more.  If we don't take them they will be put down.  Five days for dogs and three days for kitties and they are euthanized.  It is not the pounds fault-they can only keep so many and believe me there are so many.    

      

It is making them comfortable.  While our shelter is nice, keeps them safe and gives them love and care, it is not a home. There are alot of dogs and cats at the shelter.  It can be loud.  It can be stressful and scary.  They do get out in the yard to exercise but have to spend alot of time in their "spot" in the crate.  They do get good food, some attention, medical care, exercise, grooming but it is still not a home.  There are no couches, no windows to look out, home cooked meals, extra treats, long walks or kids to play with. 

It shows who they really are.   Our shelter is there for a temporary place to go so they are not euthanized.  And it does.  Very well I might add. Some just aren't cracked up to be in a shelter.  They act differently at the shelter than they do in a home.  They are more calm, well behaved in a home.  Many times a dog that is behaving badly at the shelter is fine once they get in a foster home.  Are they housetrained?  Do they like kids? Are they always this hyper? Are they afraid of men? Do they always walk in a circle?

It helps them heal.  Many of our rescues have physical and emotional injuries.  Dogs like Misty with a broken leg and two pins in her leg are so much more comfortable in a home.  The stress is lower and they get better faster.  Some dogs, like Gizmo, get depressed when at the shelter for a long time.  They really get happy feet when they get to go to a home.  Some dogs, like Major, have been through some emotional trauma and being in a home helps to calm them and make them feel more secure.  Some dogs when they have been dumped at the pound by their owners are just devastated and a soft couch helps cushion the blow. 

   Fostering isn't always easy.  Animals are messy.  They can tear things up.  They take alot of work. They are a commitment.  But taking an animal that has been rescued from the pound when it had no chance and giving it a little TLC and a new life is pretty great.  Even one foster makes a huge difference for that animal and one at the pound.  

   P4P provides everything you need.  Food, crate, toys, medical care.  And a really great foster dog or cat.  Please call Nev with P4P at 618-540-PETS (7387)