Every year an average of 6.3 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide and of which, approximately half of them are dogs. Due to the volume of animals needing help, these amazing shelters are overflowing and need help. Foster families are truly the front line for deserving dogs that are awaiting adoption and make it possible for animal shelters like Last Chance Animal Rescue to continue saving the lives of so many.
By offering a temporary home and providing shelter, care, and attention, fosters give pups a chance at life all while reaping the benefits of this rewarding act. The benefits truly go beyond the essential value of helping a pet in need find a new home.
Temporary companionship can be a gift
Many people don’t have pets at home because they aren’t able to make the lifetime commitment but miss the companionship. Since foster families take in dogs for a short while with a two-week average, the relationship is temporary but provides some amazing comfort and companionship that can help fill the void.
Prepare for adopting a pet of your own
If you’re trying to figure out if you’re ready to adopt a dog of your own, the foster experience will help you along in the decision-making process. Taking care of a pup will help you determine how a dog fits into your home, what your strengths are as a pet owner, and how having a pet will impact your daily life.
The greatest feeling of all
While many are hesitant to become a foster because they are afraid that the “good-bye” would be too hard, there are so many incredible parts of fostering that make the benefits of the experience outweigh the bittersweet goodbye. Watching a pup who you fostered go home with their new loving family is one of the greatest feelings in the whole world.
You are saving a life
The most important component to fostering a deserving animal is knowing that you are saving their life. The only way animal rescues like Last Chance can save animals is with the help of foster homes. These foster families are a critical part of Last Chance’s rescue efforts and the more foster homes they have, the more animals they can save.
Fostering with Last Chance Animal Rescue
Animal rescues like Last Chance survive on our compassion to help so that life saving stories are possible for deserving animals. If you have ever thought about fostering or adoption, now is the perfect time to give it a try. Last Chance has a few guidelines for fosters to follow:
- Provide a safe, clean, and caring environment for the animal.
- Provide food, water, exercise, and socialization as appropriate.
- Monitor any medical and/or behavioral problems and provide any medications as directed.
- Assist with transport to/from Adoption Events.
- Participate in helping Last Chance find a family for the animal.
If you have any questions about fostering, Mark T. Freeley, a volunteer/foster and the pro bono attorney for Last Chance Animal Rescue welcomes all phone calls at 631-495-9435 and he is happy to walk you through the process.
