By Janet McAfee
You can help homeless dogs and cats by becoming part of the life-saving foster parent team at Loving All Animals in Palm Desert. The snowbird foster parents are leaving the Coachella Valley, but the animals in desperate need keep coming throughout the Spring and Summer seasons. Some are abandoned in homes when their humans move or pass away. Others are dropped off at shelters or picked up as strays by animal control through no fault of their own.
Sharon Wren is pictured here with Hallie, her 25th foster dog with Loving All Animals. Sharon explains why she became a doggie foster parent, “I’m so glad I was introduced to Loving All Animals because of all they do for animals. It is rewarding for me and my grandchildren who live nearby to see how each dog is different but they all respond to love. My grandson, Deegan, helps with the dogs, and they teach him about love and compassion. I make sure they are socialized with both humans and other animals to ensure their new family will be happy with them. It is hard to say good bye to the dogs I have fostered, but knowing they are going to have a wonderful life with their new family is a joy and a blessing to me. I say a little prayer for each of my foster babies that they will be blessed in their new life.”
Fostering a dog or cat “expands the walls” of our overcrowded public shelter system. Fostering provides a loving home environment for animals who may be frightened kenneled in a shelter. Fostering increases the adoptability of these animals, as they become trained and socialized with humans and their own family pets. Foster parents provide valuable information about the animal’s temperament and preferences to ensure a good adoption match. Foster homes provide a safe place for a sick or injured animal to heal and receive good veterinary care funded by the rescue organization. A fostering system is a key component to reduce euthanasia and help the Coachella Valley become a “No Kill” community. One more empty kennel means one less dog euthanized.
Vanessa Ruggles and Curtis Sweesy have fostered 16 large dogs for Loving All Animals, most of them German Shepherds. Vanessa explains, “Fostering is one of the most rewarding things in my life. Our own dogs are so welcoming and gentle with each arriving foster, and it is a great joy to see them interact and begin to play. We know that we are saving these animals’ lives and preparing them for a great home. It makes my heart swell with joy when a new foster arrives, and I see them transform from frightened to happy and from sick to healthy. I look forward to getting our next foster!”
How long do you foster? There is no specific time frame. Volunteer Joy Diffendal fostered a dog for about half an hour when her neighbor spotted her getting out of the car with the cute newcomer and adopted him. Typically, an animal is in a foster home between two weeks to three months until it get gets adopted. If you are available to foster for just one week, that time is appreciated and may be critical to save the animal’s life.
Does it cost anything to foster? We encourage and invite foster parents to bring their animals to adoption events, but this is not required. Loving All Animals provides pet food, supplies, training assistance, and pays for all veterinary care. We can arrange for volunteers to transport to vet, grooming and adoption appointments.
You might feel a bit sad when your foster animal gets adopted, but you are also part of a happy ending. Think about how sad that animal feels being dropped off at a shelter, sitting behind bars bereft of human companionship. Fostering is an enriching and rewarding experience when you see the animal’s personality unfold with your loving attention.
“Foster failure” is the term jokingly used in the rescue community when the foster parents fall in love and decide to adopt. This is a happy ending for human and the foster pet. Fostering may, in some cases, provide an opportunity to see if you are ready to add a canine or feline to your family. Fostering is also the perfect option for those folks who travel too much to own a pet, but still want to experience the love and companionship they bring into our lives.
Contact Chas at Loving All Animals (760) 834-7000 if you would like to foster a cat or dog. Read more at www.lovingallanimals.org. As Sharon and Vanessa will tell you, when you open your heart and your home to a homeless animal, your kindness will bring great joy into your own life.
