by Sharon Bishop-Baldwin
Few things can be more beneficial to cats or dogs stuck in an animal shelter’s cage or a rescue group’s boarding facility than getting those prospective pets into foster homes as soon as possible.
No matter how modern, clean and cozy the facilities might be, they’re simply not great environments for dogs and cats. Animals in shelters can develop behavioral issues or become anxious or depressed. Kittens and puppies, especially, are prone to catching diseases from other animals.
So why don’t more people foster? Perhaps they subscribe to some of the myths surrounding fostering, such as that it’s expensive, time-consuming or requires special skills, or they fear that they will get “stuck” with an animal.
The truth is that fostering isn’t as difficult as many people think — and the rewards are well worth it.
Cost and Resources
“The rescue gives me everything I need” in terms of supplies and advice, and they cover the costs of any medicines or care, says Emily Hornay, who has fostered for Skiatook Paws and Claws Animal Rescue for about three years. “I don’t spend any money unless it’s something that I want to buy for the animal.”
Time Commitment
Hornay, who works as a registered veterinary technician at Forest Trails Animal Hospital and the Animal Emergency Center in Tulsa, in addition to going to school, says the time commitment isn’t always what people expect. It can be a factor of what animal a person chooses to foster. Bottle-feeding kittens will require more hands-on care than fostering a 1- to 2-year-old dog, for example.
“These guys (the dogs she fosters) just want to hang out with you,” Hornay says. “They don’t need to be pampered. They’re just so excited to be out of a crate.”
Christina Shepherd volunteers for Pause for Paws. The Tulsa nonprofit arranges foster homes for pets whose owners are experiencing homelessness, mental illness or addiction so that the owner can get urgent medical, mental health, or substance abuse treatment.
Shepherd tends to specialize in animals with medical or other special needs, and she knows that not everyone can or wants to handle those cases, but she also knows that organizations won’t force animals on people who aren’t comfortable with their level of required care.
And Pause for Paws’ unique mission ensures that she won’t “get stuck” with an animal.
“You know going in that they have an owner. That removes a lot of the barriers to fostering. It’s going to be short term, and it will be easier to give them up,” she says.
Ashley Dwyer works for the Oklahoma Alliance for Animals in Tulsa and also fosters for OAA and other rescues. Since 2014, she has fostered about 45 to 50 animals, primarily dogs.
She says her friends admire the work she does but don’t typically get on board themselves.
“I feel like a lot of them want to do that, … but it’s so intimidating. It can be overwhelming,” Dwyer says. “But usually the first time somebody fosters, then they’ll foster forever.”
Letting Go
All three say the thing they hear most from people about fostering is their fear that they wouldn’t want to give up the animal.
“I do get it,” Shepherd says. “I certainly understand that you fall in love, and I have certainly foster-failed. But the lives saved are what I wish more people put in the forefront.
“For every animal you foster, you’re saving two animals — the one you foster and the one you’re giving more time in the shelter,” she says. “Every time you can make space in the shelter, another animal gets more time. That’s the math.”
Dwyer explained that finding temporary homes helps dogs avoid the stress and expense of long-term boarding and gives them a better chance to thrive. “Fosters are everything to us,” she said.
Sidebar
In each issue this year, meet a local foster parent and discover why they open their home and heart to pets in need.
Why I Foster: Fostering Reese’s
by Kayla Crabtree
Eight months ago, I walked through the doors of Tulsa Animal Services. What began as a simple act of volunteering quickly became an extraordinary journey that touched my heart in ways I never imagined. With over 200 hours of volunteering, I became part of a passionate community dedicated to the well-being of our furry friends.
Recently, TAS began releasing their at-risk lists twice a week, showing dogs in urgent need of help. Inspired, my fellow volunteers and I started a Facebook page called “Friends of TAS” to showcase these pups because we believe visibility leads to salvation. Our mantra? “Seen equals saved.”
My heart sank when I discovered that four of my favorite dogs had landed on that dreaded list. Three were swiftly adopted, leaving only Reese’s behind. An hour before her deadline, I felt a deep pull within me. I had every reason to say, “I can’t.” I already had three dogs, a busy schedule and a full plate. But looking at her sweet face, I felt a surge of conviction. How could I not? So I decided to open my heart and home, and let me tell you, it has been one of the most rewarding decisions I have ever made.
Reese’s immediately illuminated our lives with her gentle spirit. Watching her discover what it means to feel safe, to love, and to simply be a dog has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I sometimes catch myself staring at her, marveling at how close she came to being forgotten. Yet here she is, curled up beside me, radiating warmth. Each goofy tail wag and hopeful gaze feels like a miracle I never want to take for granted.
When I first took Reese’s in, I was excited but nervous. Would she adapt? Would I have the time? My heart knew the answer. So I opened my home and heart to her. We built trust, shared countless cuddles and created small victories together. And as she grew, this small, feisty spirit reminded me every day why fostering matters so much.
Yet I’m aware of my role in her journey. Fostering always carries the bittersweet understanding that my heart will break when it’s time to say goodbye. I do this knowing that letting go is truly an act of love. Each time a foster leaves for their forever home, it’s not just a loss; it’s also a victory. By giving a pup the chance to flourish, I create space for another life to be saved. Yes, I’ll cry when Reese’s leaves, but those tears will be filled with gratitude.
During my time fostering Reese’s, I’ve also had the privilege of temporarily fostering another dog named Peanut who was pulled by a rescue. Peanut’s stay was brief, but his impact was monumental. Saying goodbye to him was difficult, yet knowing that I played a role in his transition made the tearful farewell worthwhile. Each goodbye opened a door for another soul in need, and that thought alone holds its own kind of beauty. As Reese’s and my time together continues, I remind her daily that she is not disposable, not forgotten and certainly not too much.
She is precious, worthy and deserving of all the love the world has to offer. It’s incredible to realize that every ounce of care and commitment poured into fostering builds a bridge to happier endings for these beautiful souls. I can’t save them all. But for Reese’s, Peanut and every foster who comes through my home, I can be the reason their story continues. And that’s enough to keep me going.
