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Until forever comes along, foster homes keep pets safe and loved
By Christie Keith
December 15, 2009
I admit it; this week’s column on SFGate.com is nothing but a shameless plea for pet lovers to considering becoming a fosterer for a homeless pet. It’s obvious, of course, what’s in it for the pets: We get them out of stressful and over-crowded shelters and into homes. But guess what? There’s even more in it for us:
San Francisco resident Sherri Franklin caught the pet fostering bug from a dog named Angel, a chow/golden retriever mix so shy she would cower when she met new people.
“I called her a ghost dog, because she would run through the house and hide under the bed,” Franklin said. She and her other dogs gave Angel space and some TLC, and it paid off. “To see her running on the beach and finally come out and doing things like give a little kiss or lean against you — it was so amazing.”
So amazing, in fact, that Franklin went on to foster dozens of dogs after Angel found her permanent home. Eventually she established Muttville, a nonprofit Bay Area rescue group relying entirely on foster homes to house its dogs.
“A lot of people like fostering because, while they want to help animals, they don’t want to make a forever commitment,” she said. “Maybe they know they’ll be moving in the coming year, or maybe they have job obligations that are seasonal and know they can only help out during certain months.”
It’s also the perfect answer for pet-loving families that are worried about pet food and vet bills.
“Most organizations, including Muttville, cover all expenses for pets in our foster homes,” Franklin said. “That way, you don’t have to take on an animal without knowing what it might cost in the future.”
Read the rest here, and when you’re done, check out the dog in the photo, Grandpa, a 12 year old mixed breed currently being fostered by Muttville. I’m in love with his sweet face.
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It’s true! I volunteer for ARF Ontario (www.arfontario.com), that rescue from local First Nations communities. A lot of the dogs come with some serious health issues such as heartworm, demodex, automobile injuries, parvovirus, and more. Amazingly, ARF will treat every rescue, even those that are HW and parvovirus positive. While parvo typically has a mortality rate of over 95%, ARF dogs that are treated for parvo have over 85% success rate! Why, you ask? ARF animals are entirely fostered. They firmly believe that simply treating their ailments are not key to their survival; rather, they believe that nurturing and love from a foster family is key in saving a dog that’s basically been given a death sentence. How could people not also benefit from owning the knowledge that they are literally responsible for giving an animal it’s life back?! The emotional and cognitive benefits are immeasurable!
Comment by Jodi — December 15, 2009 @ 1:27 pm
With more and more insitutional “bricks and mortar” shelters closing or their ops transfering to non-profit rescue groups, the role of foster homes is going to become even more critical in the coming years. NESR (www.nesr.info) is entirely foster based and those of us on the admin side of it are indebted forever to the amazing network of people giving these dogs a chance at a new life. Just when we feel we can’t ask for more, another home steps up to the plate and offers to help another dog on the journey to a new home. A foster home is a gift to the dog, to the other rescue volunteers, to the dog’s former caretakers (whether an owner or a shelter) and, ultimately, a gift to the person who eventually adopts the dog. If that’s not “sheltering”, I don’t know what is.
Now if only we can get Petfinders to upgrade their searches to allow for filtering by the zip code where the dog is being fostered(instead of by the shelter’s zip code). As foster-based rescues continue to grow, I hope others will join me in trying to convince the good folks at PF how critical that need is!
Melinda King
NESR
Comment by Melinda — December 15, 2009 @ 2:32 pm
And homes that foster or adopt the old grizzled dogs like Grandpa? Your halos are being shined to a sparkle by all the other righteous old dogs waiting beyond The Bridge.
You are beyond special.
Melinda King
NESR
Comment by Melinda — December 15, 2009 @ 2:38 pm
One can always count on SFGate comments for a troll sighting or two.
Hey Christie, wanna lay bets on how many homeless families and foster children “sfcuir” has running around his house?
I do second a correction here that was in the SFGate comments: Most rescues with foster programs expect the foster families to pay for food, and any toys and other “extras.” Vet bills are the rescue’s responsibility. Our group has the fosterer get an okay for any non-emergency vet visits and treatment, which is always forthcoming.
Foster commitments for local shelters are typically shorter and less open-ended than commitments for rescue groups, especially breed rescue groups that may be regional or national in scope.
The skills and resources needed for different kinds of fostering can vary widely. Litters of kittens for the local no-kill shelter = pure fun, little space, clear end date. Intensive rehab for a severely abused and neglected dog who has never known a gentle human touch = months of daily training, secure kennel, walking trails, pastures, and woods for brain-breathing. There is everything in between.
One of the many reasons I stopped fostering for the local shelter was that I had little or no input into placements, and had no contact with adopters. (Except for the one foster who a friend adopted.) With my breed rescue, I get a lot of input into placements. I can’t imagine them telling me to send a dog to someone who I absolutely objected to.
Comment by H. Houlahan — December 15, 2009 @ 2:40 pm
I just heard from Sherri Franklin of Muttville.org and I had to share (with her permission):
Hi Christie,
We have received 4 foster apps this AM!
All mentioned your article.
Brilliant, it’s like a Christmas present for the dogs.
I hope it works with all the rescues.
So happy
Sherri
I couldn’t be happier!
Comment by Christie Keith — December 15, 2009 @ 2:41 pm
Hey Melinda, tell the nice people what happened with your last foster.
(Shakes head and mutters something about dingoes eating babies …)
Comment by H. Houlahan — December 15, 2009 @ 2:43 pm
I claim no responsibility for our one and only Foster Fail. That’s all on The Husband. He’s a total sucker for lab-i-tude.
The Husband, of course, tells the story differently. Something about “you knew that dog wasn’t going anywhere when you brought him home”.
Melinda
Comment by Melinda — December 15, 2009 @ 2:52 pm
I was kind of proud to have had but ONE Foster Fail in three years and about a hundred dogs when I was running the Sheltie rescue. That dog had me at hello, and he knew it.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — December 15, 2009 @ 3:25 pm
My first foster fail was my first foster.
She was a square peg. Lots of behavioral issues, health issues and a poor prognosis on both fronts.
At age 3, she was not expected to see 5.
We had her until she was 12. She ended up becoming a wonderful family member and I learned a lot from her. Many subsequent fosters have benefited from what we learned with Fergie.
Fostering rocks. :-)
Comment by JenniferJ — December 15, 2009 @ 4:15 pm
You were fostering rocks?
When you get REALLY good at it do they let you foster boulders?
(ok. i’ll go sit in the corner now . . . . )
Comment by The OTHER Pat — December 15, 2009 @ 4:59 pm
fostering boulders…cute..thanks i needed that - I don’t know if there is such a book but there sure could be on “How to be a Foster parent for dogs and cats” I read where Winograd did address the difficulty in parting with a foster dog or cat….I paraphrase him but he said something like if you’re dealing with people who love and care for the dogs and cats as much as you (the fosterer) then you can trust they will work very hard to find a good loving home….I found that to be true and I remember it when I adopt out a foster (mostly kittens) with the help of others…..
Comment by mary frances — December 15, 2009 @ 5:27 pm
“You were fostering rocks?”
I think pet rocks need a comeback. We can have designer pet rocks, registered pet rocks…..
I’ll happily volunteer to foster anyones pet rock, I’m landscaping this spring.
Every rock needs a job.
I’m thinking Chia Pet/Pet Rock mixes. I’ll market ‘em online as the best of both worlds including “no-shed”!
Comment by JenniferJ — December 15, 2009 @ 6:43 pm
I fostered kittens a few times and found that what made it much easier for me to send them on their way was knowing that it freed me up to help the next batch. And there is always a next batch, don’t we know.
Comment by Susan Fox — December 15, 2009 @ 7:13 pm
I’m glad someone is allowed to write their column about fostering and shelter adoptions.
Comment by Kim Thornton — December 15, 2009 @ 7:58 pm
I’m so sorry, Kim… just know that, although my editor usually comes around, I constantly have to fight for my stories. I had to try three times before he gave in and let me write the Michael Vick piece.
Comment by Christie Keith — December 15, 2009 @ 9:24 pm
I know. She just wouldn’t go for it this time without a news hook so there will be no column.
Comment by Kim Thornton — December 15, 2009 @ 9:51 pm
We need to form a support group.
Comment by Christie Keith — December 15, 2009 @ 9:53 pm
OKAY, 4/5 were foster failures - and if they would allow it I’d still be fostering. I’m a sucker and have a terrible time letting them go.
But I often was able to find homes so they didn’t have to go back to the humane society.
This is such an important piece and I’m glad that your column is getting some good attention and that foster homes are stepping up.
Comment by catmom5 — December 16, 2009 @ 7:52 am
I recruit volunteers to help socialize domestic rabbits at local shelters and in foster homes.
I just love it when I’m trying to convince someone to foster a bunny for the first time and they say, “But I’m afraid I’ll get attached.”
I always laugh and say, “You will! And you’ll cry when they move out. Best cure for that is another foster rabbit.”
The very first bunny I (reluctantly) fostered six years ago, for two months, is back in my house, surrendered by the couple I thought would NEVER give her up in her old age. When she arrived a few months ago, she was perfectly relaxed and at home here, as if she had never left.
I love fostering. I’ve learned so much from all my foster rabbits.
Comment by Mary Mary — December 16, 2009 @ 12:51 pm
# 19 comment by Mary Mary “But I’m afraid I’ll get attached.” and then you replied, “You will! And you’ll cry when they move out. Best cure for that is another foster rabbit.” (or fill in dog or cat or horse etc) the really good foster people i know and have met seem to all say that - the untold stories of foster folk would light the world (very Christmas appropriate group) - some of the best people I’ve ever met have been foster families for critters.
Comment by mary frances — December 16, 2009 @ 3:03 pm
Fostering can really be fun and exciting at the same time but I would prefer to take a dog home with me and give him/her a home.
Comment by Chloe — December 16, 2009 @ 5:39 pm
Chloe,
I would love to be able to give a permanent home to all my fosters … but!
I’ve had two rabbits there were “mine” and I’ve fostered about 30 others.
My house isn’t big enough (nor my income) to care for 30 bunnies!
But letting them stay here, training them when needed, and helping to find new homes for them … that is such a great joy in my life.
And every Christmas I get cards and emails from several of the adopters. It is so cool.
Comment by Mary Mary — December 16, 2009 @ 7:08 pm
Chloe,
What I meant to say is many (most?) foster volunteers do both.
They have family pets AND they foster. So it’s not an either-or.
Comment by Mary Mary — December 16, 2009 @ 7:09 pm