Comments on: The Happy Side of Fostering – Blog the Change for Animals

By: Connie

Connie — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 14:57:03 +0000

I’ve been fostering since 2002, and while I still occasionally get sad that I can not keep them all, that one fact has really hit home and I know what I do is very valuable not only to the kittens I care for, but for the people who take them and as well as the cats and kittens I can’t foster. By taking in some kittens that opens up space for other cats.. by making kitties friendly and outgoing and in tern have very happy new owners, they spread the word about what wonderful animals the shelter has, which gets more feet in the door..

not to mention giving a real boost to the shelter workers. Prior to the fostering program, all kittens too small or too sick to be immediately (or quickly) adopted were euthanized. Imagine the burn out for the shelter staff having to euthanize box after box of kittens..

By: The Happy Side of Fostering – Blog the Ch...

The Happy Side of Fostering – Blog the Ch... — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 21:19:30 +0000

[…] Blog the Change for Animals meets real life. Because as I write this, I’m getting ready to say goodbye to our latest foster dog, Ginny. And I’m happy. In truth, there are lots of happy moments in fostering. […]

By: lauranne

lauranne — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 09:27:33 +0000

You make me so excited about the idea of fostering. I just hope that I get accepted as a fosterer by a rescue. I am so pleased that Gunny has found her perfect home and that you have managed to say good bye to her without too much heartbreak. You, your hubby and the very lovely Honey are inspirational!

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 06:54:54 +0000

In reply to Pamela.

We definitely will link back and credit you for the blog post. Thank you and we’ll let you know when we’ve posted it 🙂

Also, thank you for sharing our Sydnee’s Grooming fundraiser! We need all the help and support we can get!

By: Christina Berry

Christina Berry — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 03:19:10 +0000

Aw, I’m so glad Ginny found her perfect home, and that her foster momma survived it! I just know you’re going to go on to create even more happy endings for even more dogs in need. Thank you for all you do!

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 23:39:42 +0000

Congrats to Ginny!

Thank you for writing about fostering. It’s such a great thing, and I’m thankful so many people are able to open their homes to dogs who need them, if only until a forever home can be found. Maybe one day….

By: Gabi

Gabi — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 22:03:16 +0000

I think I am a foster addict. Working at a shelter contributes to it for sure, but I have fostered for several rescues or groups that are not associated with my shelter as well. Every time I think I’m ready to take a break, another animal that needs us appears. I do agree that you meet a lot of awesome people fostering, I love that. I love “meeting” new animals too and I think our dogs benefit from the extra socialization. We have had a pretty depressing lot of fosters for our last few… I have a soft spot for the “on the edge” ones and we weren’t able to save our last three – one dog for behaviorial reasons, and one cat and one dog for severe medical reasons. Our current foster is a lovely and healthy guy who we were able to socialize after he grew up in a puppy mill and he is meeting an adopter on Saturday! Looking forward to a happy ending for once 🙂

By: Kristi

Kristi — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 16:32:13 +0000

My friend Sue from Talking Dogs led me over here to your site… I’ve been fostering off and on for a few years now working with several different rescues. I will admit to being a foster failure as well. Meaning, I’ve adopted 2 fosters. My first foster was a puppy that I just couldn’t let go. He’s my mama’s boy. The second was an English Coonhound that my hubby fell for! We’ve fostered a dozen or so since we’ve started and while yes, it can be very hard to let them go, it opens your home to save another from shelter or pound life.

We have 8 dogs of our own (all rescues and 1 stray that showed up and never left) so we’ve learned what type of dogs work best for us as fosters – females, young or older. It’s not always easy introducing them to the pack. We have 4 males and 4 females so they have an established pack order and newbies cause a little chaos the first day or two. Fortunately I’ve only had one foster that didn’t work out with us. Important thing to note is that shelter dogs come with a past – they are cast out, dumped, abused, neglected, etc. They aren’t perfect dogs right off the bat when you bring them home. A foster parent teaches as much as provides love, care, and a regular meal.

When we aren’t fostering, we volunteer with the rescues or shelters, advocate for particular breeds such as pit bulls and coonhounds, share dogs in need via social media, help with transporting, fundraising, donate. There’s lots of ways to help out if you aren’t ready to foster. Important thing is to do something if you can. Sorry for the long post!

By: Kristen–well minded

Kristen–well minded — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 16:21:53 +0000

In reply to Pamela. Yes, I do realize that there will be more. LOL. I didn't realize that people dump their dogs for vacations in France. Shocking! Maybe I should relocate!

By: Pamela

Pamela — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 15:04:56 +0000

So glad you liked it. And I checked out Furry Foster and think it’s very cool. What a great way to make it easier for rescues to find foster families!

I’d be happy to have you share my post on your blog as long as you link back to the original post. When you do, please let me know. You can send me an email at somethingwagging at gmail dot come.