Fostering Pawsitivity: How Fostering Dogs Can Change Your Life (and Theirs)
I usually write about full time careers but there are other ways to make a difference in this world. Fostering Dogs is a perfect way to volunteer- without even leaving your home.
Volunteers are an integral part of a no-kill dog shelter, and one of the most crucial roles they play is fostering dogs. Fostering is the process of providing a temporary home for a dog, usually for a few weeks to several months. During this time, the foster volunteer helps the dog adjust to living in a home and provides socialization and training, making the dog more adoptable.
Foster volunteers help dogs acclimate to life outside of a shelter environment, which can be crucial to their well-being and adoption success. No-kill shelters rely on foster volunteers to help dogs recover from illness or injury, manage behavioral issues, and socialize with other animals and humans.
Fostering a dog is not only essential for the dog but can also be an incredibly rewarding experience for the volunteer. They get to enjoy the company of an animal while providing necessary care and loving attention. For many, it is a chance to make a difference in a dog’s life and experience the great feeling of helping an animal find its forever home.
Kim Hutchings, a long time volunteer at Mostly Mutzz in Pottstown, Pa, has had over 150 furry house mates over the years. Kim says, “What I find most rewarding is that I am a dog lover but travel a lot for work. Fostering is the best of both worlds for me. I love being able to love and care for dogs and keep up with my busy work schedule. I also enjoy help find dogs new homes. I find this very rewarding.”
No-kill shelters often have significant needs for foster volunteers, as the more dogs they can get into homes, the fewer will be kept in shelters. Volunteers can also help spread the word about the shelter and provide information on adoption, which can lead to more successful adoptions.
In conclusion, fostering dogs is incredibly important and can have a significant impact on the well-being and adoption success of dogs in no-kill shelters. Volunteers who open their homes and hearts to dogs in their care help to provide a vital socialization and training opportunity, making dogs more adoptable and giving them a better chance of finding a loving forever home. The support of the volunteers is often the lifeblood of these shelters, and their contributions can make a significant difference in improving the lives of dogs in need.
If you are interested in adopting or fostering a dog please reach out to mostlymuttz@gmail.com
Written by Chuck LaBenski
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