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How About Fostering?
Perhaps
fostering a dog would be just the thing!
We need
loving homes to care for several of our dogs until
they find their permanent homes. By fostering a dog,
you have an opportunity to make a huge difference in the life of that dog and
eventually it's new family/person.
Fostering can be hard work, but it is also extremely gratifying! It
definitely can help you focus on what's really important in life.
Which dogs need foster
homes?
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A dog has been on the
adoption floor too long.
For whatever reason, some dogs are overlooked by
potential homes and the longer they sit in a cage here, the more likely they
are to become bored, depressed, lose weight, etc. We like to get these dogs
out to foster homes to help them as well as to gain more information about
their personality. This is also a great opportunity to get a head start on
basic training.
These dogs tend to be 1-2
years old, and medium to large in size. We ask that our foster parents bring
these dogs to various adoption events whenever possible. We also have a
bulletin board in the shelter showcasing these foster dogs as well as pictures
and descriptions posted on both of our websites for all prospective adopters
to see.
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A pup, or litter of
pups, which is too young to have spay/neuter surgery.
These little ones usually require 3-4 weeks of foster care until they have
had a booster vaccine and are old enough for surgery. Once the pups are old
enough, they return to the shelter and are spayed or neutered. They generally
are adopted the very next day.
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A dog is sick or
injured. These dogs will need treatment if they are ill or bed rest/ limited
activity if they are injured. Whether sick or injured, there is generally a
set time period where the dog goes into foster care until they are cleared
medically by our vet. Then they are placed up for adoption. We have found that
the dogs heal much faster if placed in a home environment.
Here is how our foster program works:
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We provide all foster
homes with food, a crate and any necessary medicine or medical care.
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We believe
in crate training as well as using positive reinforcement training methods.
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All dogs
that are in foster care remain the property of the shelter until adopted.
If this sounds like a
program that you would be interested in, please complete a foster application.
You are welcome to submit applications in person, by e-mail, or fax: 462-6658.
For further information,
please contact:
Erin
Frost, Foster/Rescue Coordinator,
462-5357.

A Poem to My Foster Dog
I am the bridge
Between what was and what can be.
I am the pathway to a new life.
I am made of mush,
Because my heart melted when I saw you,
Matted and sore, limping, depressed,
Lonely, unwanted, afraid to love.
For one little time you are mine.
I will feed you with my own hand
I will love you with my whole heart
I will make you whole.
I am made of steel.
Because when the time comes,
When you are well, and sleek,
When your eyes shine,
And your tail wags with joy
Then comes the hard part.
I will let you go -- not without a tear,
But without a regret.
For you are safe forever -- A new dog needs me now.
-- Diane Morgan |
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