Fostering is both, highly rewarding and also a heartache for some of us. Let me first say that volunteering as a foster parent for animals of any kind (cats, horses, snakes... ) is essential to saving lives and restoring minds and bodies. Letting go of the animal when the time is up, however, is difficult when we fear that the animal we've worked to heal and grown to love, may land yet again in a bad situation. There are no firm statistics on rehoming, but my guess is that 50% of the second chances these animals get are, well, just as bad as the previous one, if not worse. So, how does one deal with this and still continue to open one's home and heart as a temporary heaven? Is there a formula some of you have to perform this vital service without losing sleep over the foster animal we've released to an uncertain future?
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Fostering
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Posted 11 months ago #
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The more I foster, the easier it is to let a beloved foster dog go on to his or her permanent home. Since the rescue group that I work with uses an extensive application process, I feel confident that the new owners are truly committed to providing a life long home for the dog in question. Yes, there have been dogs returned but I'd rather a dog be returned than to live in a less than great situation.
I am a real believer in fostering although it has moments of being very annoying when the dog tears up the newspaper, tinkles on the floor (again), barks in the crate for ten minutes at a time, etc, etc.
However, fostering is one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. It's miraculous to see the transformation of a very sick, shy, or uncertain dog into a beautiful, confident, and well socialized dog ready for a forever home. I will continue to foster and enjoy the pictures, emails, and stories I receive from families who now own one of my former fosters. I hope anyone thinking about fostering will jump in and just do it. You won't be sorry!Posted 11 months ago # -
You are right, Tulsa Terri. I have had no problem either letting go when it's a good adoption. In high volume situations, however, dogs are adopted out to just about anyone who has the fee and a pulse. Application questionnaires are rather vague and, in any case, it's impossible to confirm the pertinent data that the applicants put down.
Still, like you say, fostering works miracles and is rewarding in many ways. I would hope for the sake of the animals that more people gave it a try.Posted 11 months ago # -
You girls are just tougher than I am. I couldn't anymore give one up, no matter how little time had passed, than the man in the moon. I appreciate what you do and the emotional costs that you pay, I just couldn't do it!
Posted 11 months ago #
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