Why Foster
We recently challenged our fosters to tell us why they do it. Here’s what they told us:
From Tiffany:
The best thing about fostering is that I get to make a difference. I get the opportunity to turn these little pups into fun, loving, dogs that will provide their families that are lucky enough to be chosen many years of companionship. I also love that every foster family has a passion and love for helping not only the animals but each other in times of need.
From Jenni:
I think the most rewarding part of fostering is watching the dog become more comfortable being touched, playing when toys, just learning how to know love! Nothing is better than snuggling with a dog that used to cower at your mere presence. It’s so rewarding gaining their trust and being loved unconditionally by a dog who never knew love and a safe comfortable home.
From Laura:
Why I foster. I’ve always loved animals ever since I was little. I rescued my 2 dogs from a humane society, and they’re my best friends. Some people call me a crazy dog lady, but how can you not love a dog who loves unconditionally. They’re always there to walk with you or to cuddle with you. I’m now a part of a wonderful & caring pet rescue! My 2 dogs have taken Timmy in & shown him what it means to be a carefree dog. Timmy gets scared of new things but then he looks to my dogs, sees that they’re calm, & he starts wagging his little tail again. Thank you all for your help & support on this new endeavor! I look forward to working with all of you to help these loveable dogs!
From Amy:
Why I foster? I fell into this. In 2002 I did the exact wrong thing and adopted from a puppy mill. I didn’t know it at the time and had Britt for 11 years. I did realize during that time what I had supported and was sick about but britt was my everything and I am glad I had her. When it was time to get another dog I adopted from a foster organization. I was sold. My friend found Maggie and it was love at first sight. 2 years later I was at a breeders house rescuing 9 dogs with that same friend. The ability to give a warm place a real bed and unconditional love to an wonderful animal was heart warming. I love that I give and get unconditional love. Thank you to everyone that allows me to be able start to a better life to all these babies.
From Deanna:
I had always wanted to foster but my husband is very allergic to pet dander and he did not want to since I came into our marriage with 2 cats and a dog.
There was a plea for fosters to step up and our daughter did a great acting job and convinced Dad that it would be so awesome.
We fostered Sid (formerly know as Mac). I fell in love with him immediately. I could not bear… the thought of letting him go. Sid became ours on Dec. 23rd, 2013. Foster Fail!
When fostering you change an animals life forever. From whatever situation they came from they start fresh with us fosters and we work with them to make them more adoptable.
We have fostered since and I admit I balled like a baby when I let Yancy my second foster go to his new home but if did not cry or have emotions I would not be human and I would be in the wrong volunteering position.
My husbands attitude has changed totally. He has shown emotions I have not seen before. He is more of an animal lover than he lets on.
At the Pet Expo I was thanked by several people for being a foster. I seriously did not expect that. Actually I was a bit shocked. I do this for my love of animals and my daughter is enjoying it also. My son tries to play the tough 14 year old teenager but he has loved each and everyone of our fosters.
We are making a difference, one dog at a time! And we all have the same goal, no more puppy mills, animal abuse and homelessness. Every animal deserves a loving home.
The support from others in this group is amazing and inspiring.
From Jennifer:
I can only explain what as I do as I have something odd that runs through my blood that drives me to do what I do. When I was a youngster I had an accident with a dog that my parents were babysitting. Something in that dog’s head was not right but they had no idea and neither did the owners. One night I just walked into the room where my parents were and the dog to just go watch t.v. with all of them. The dog just lunged out of nowhere and ripped off one side of my face from …just between my eyes all way past my ear.
I believe that is where this crazy journey began with being a complete crazy dog obsession, nut (whatever you want to call it). And turned it into the craziness what my life has evolved into.
The many things my foster dogs and I share with each other are affection, emotion, appreciation, enjoyment, involvement, yearning to learn, cherish, passion for caring, respect and devotion. The biggest thing I have learned is I need to learn a two letter word but for someone who has never had less than 6 fosters at a time ! My dogs,my foster dogs are more my family than any family I have ever had.
From Lauri:
Where do I start? I have always had a passion for all animals. I wanted to be a marine biologist when I grew up. That didn’t work out, but I still have a passion for animals. I always took in every stray cat I could find when I was a kid. I always wanted a dog, but my mom never would agree. So, I’ve had cats pretty much my entire life. My 5yr old daughter shares my love for animals. She has wanted a dog ever since she could talk. We always said no because we were in the midst… of trying to figure out family life and didn’t need one more thing to throw into the mix. Well, she kept asking and asking and asking, so we finally told her that when she is ready to scoop the poop, take the dog for walks, feed it, love it, etc, we would consider it. She showed us she was ready by asking the neighbors if she could walk their dog. She walked him and scooped his poop and was just as proud as she could be. After a couple of weeks of that, we decided she probably could handle it, so we started looking into fostering. We wanted the ability to have a dog for a while and if it wasn’t “the one”, we would be ok if it got adopted.
Fast forward to our very first foster, Freedom. We fell in love with her almost immediately. She is seriously the most perfect dog on the planet.We continue to foster because we want to help. I would like to think that if I were in their shoes, someone would do the same for me. You just look into their eyes and know they appreciate you. I swear I can see Freedom’s soul through her eyes and it is a happy soul now. You can see the pain she’s been through, but every day her soul brightens just a little bit more.
From Alicia:
I am new to Aheinz57 and so excited to be a part of such a supportive group! I have fostered for national breed rescue groups and I’ve also fostered those random dogs that come into your life and need a new before joining Aheinz57. I am definitely one of those “crazy dog people”. I thoroughly enjoy getting to know each of my foster dogs, helping them in whatever way they may need, getting to be a part of their journey in life, helping them fin…d the forever home that suits them just right, and watching them continue to grow and thrive in their forever homes.
The question I am always asked when I share with people that I foster rescue dogs is “How do you let them go, I think I’d get too attached?” For me that’s simple for a number of reasons. It’s not to say that saying goodbye isn’t emotional but I foster to do what’s best for the dog. There is a limit to how many dogs I can properly care for and give the attention they deserve. I also know I am not the right fit for every dog; for many dogs there is a home out there that is better suited to them than mine. And I get the joy of meeting their new families and remaining in contact, sometimes even getting to dog sit and care for them once again.
From Aimee:
I’m fairly new to fostering. But so far I love getting to know my fosters. It breaks up my day. Some were energetic, some scared, some come from homes and in the end they all need the love of this group to get them better lives. Though I don’t know many people what I have found so far is that it’s like a family. The support is awesome.