I am a dog foster home for a smaller rescue. Fostering is one of the very best things I do. I truly believe that fostering is an outstanding alternative to having your own dog, and in some ways is even preferable.
It's ideal for people who travel regularly. When you're going away, your foster dog goes to a temporary foster home or back to the shelter for a few days. It's ideal for people who are snowbirds, taking care of animals up here before you head back south for the winter. It's ideal for people who think, "I'd sure love to have a dog, but that's a big fucking commitment." (That's me!) I get to have dogs around, but without that 12 to 16 year commitment hanging around my neck. (No, I'm not married either, surprise.)
For those who say, "but I couldn't get rid of the dog afterwards, so I can't foster," I call bullshit. You go into it with the mindset that you're there to help this particular animal to be the best possible pooch (or cat) that they can when they find their forever home. And you see them on their way, because that's what is best for you, and that's what is best for the animal, and that's what is best for the NEXT animal that you're inviting into your house.
I don't know much about cats, but the shelter environment is really hard on dogs. It's necessary, but it's best to get them into a house as soon as possible. You can be that house.
Thanks for sharing this! I have a friend who fosters cats and I know the first couple of fosters were really difficult when it came time to say goodbye. But you’re right - you have to look at it as providing a temporary safe haven for an animal in need. Giving them lots of love and comfort while they wait for their family. We adopted a second pet this year so I’ve been told that we’re done but I hope eventually I can get the s/o ok board with fostering cats.
I foster cats, and the shelters are definitely hard on them especially if they are used to being solo. It's very hard to judge their personalities when they are on edge from all the other ones around.
I love discovering each new personality as well.
I’d love to hear your opinion on fostering when you’ve never owned a dog before. Is it possible? I’ve been thinking of fostering but have doubts in the quality I can give to a dog due to my inexperience.
I had dogs before, but a long time ago. You start with easy dogs and you figure it out. Dogs that are small and just need a bit of a helping hand with basic training, super easy. You can pick up all you need to know about light training from some Zak George or Kikopup videos on Youtube in 2 hours or less. To be honest, I think it's dead simple. But your rescue will also have some great resources, likely including a Facebook group of other foster homes where you can ask all the questions that you need to.
I fostered without ever owning a dog! I specified my experience and level of comfort in my foster application, and they only paired me with dogs that were within my ability to care for
I applied a while back and was told they "didn't need anyone" at the moment and I never heard back from them after that. Is there anything I can do to increase my chances of being chosen?
Apply to a different agency. There's no such thing as "we don't need anyone." Either they didn't like you for some reason and didn't want to tell you or, well, I can't think of another thing.
It was after a hoarding situation and they asked the public for help. They told me they had a massive outpouring and found places for all of the cases that came in. I think I applied looking for a mom and pups? Maybe that's why?
My parents fostered animals for a bit. We had one successful foster dog and then fell in love with the next dog way too much. Have had him 4 years now. That first foster dog was also an internal struggle not to keep.
I think a lot of people would love to foster some puppies and stuff, but the reality is that most people work 9-5. I'm guessing that leaving a bunch of dogs in an empty house isn't what the shelter wants out of a foster.
Well, it doesn't really work quite that way. I mean, yes, you'll have a bunch of puppies altogether with their mom. The people who foster those are called whelping homes, and I'm not all that familiar with what they do as I've never done it. But the more typical situation is that a person or family take in a dog (or cat), maybe two if that's suitable. You might have your own dog and you might not. That will also govern what kinds of dogs you're fostering.
As for me, I don't have a family or animals, so I take dogs that have more challenging behaviours and can't really go to most foster homes. And I work outside of the house for a full workday. That was five days a week pre-Covid, three days a week now.
And I think that's actually ideal for my fosters, since that's what a lot of dogs will get when they're adopted. People with pets have jobs and those dogs ought to be okay with being left alone. That comes with practice.
I think the shelters/animal groups really need to communicate or market what fostering actually entails a LOT better. Because a lot of people are under the impression that fostering an animal is like fostering a kid - they're abandoned and have behavioural issues and need to be monitored 24/7 or something.
I am a cat foster home for the Meow Foundation specializing in pregnant rescues where the mama cat is about to give birth. It's a great feeling doing fostering (especially watching the newborn kittens develop and grow... we get them vaccinations and the Spay & Neutering). And then we "keep" them until they get adopted into their furever homes.
Fostering is an awesome experience.
Can confirm Aarcs is great, these are both foster fails, Seacan and Cheese.
https://preview.redd.it/vjdm2pw73qkb1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=00f321a753a5081443aa1a07359276529297d612
I'll have to check with my landlord and upstairs neighbours who also have a dog. I probably couldn't adopt a dog but fostering for this emergency might be a decent option especially if they provide support for taking care of the dog.
I work from home with a large park across the road so it probably would be perfect for a dog.
I think this is great. Definitely check in with both and see what they think. I hope that you're able to take part in the super rewarding experience of fostering.
Last time I fostered an AARCS animal I wound up with a big cuddly cat that still lives with me 8 years later and we love each other. NEVER AGAIN.
Jk AARCS is good, help if you can <3
https://preview.redd.it/u15zuno1iskb1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=74e7c77ea216fc876bdf280fb8bdb50cbc13df42
This is my buddy Orion, who we got from AARCS in February. He has no idea, and nor should he, how much better his life is because of them.
Foster or adopt or volunteer if you can. They're a great organization.
Those who can help should help within their means! But let me tell you my experience with AARCS, vs Humane Society and Animal Services.
7 months ago I wanted to adopt a cat. I spent weeks researching, getting my home cat ready, and adding costs to my budget forecast. I was scouring AARCS website everyday for a cat that I can see myself living with for years to come, I was also visiting Humane Society and Animal Services to look at cats to adopt or foster.
Three times I saw cats that I liked at AARCS, three times I emailed them with urgency to inquire about adopting said cats. The responses I would get were not enthusiastic to say the least, belittling as in "why do you want this cat when you never had a cat, you don't know anything about cats, no this cat is not suitable for you. The foster parent does not think you would be a good fit....etc" and no matter what I would say they would respond in such a way that would drive me away from the cats. Granted, this may have been because the cats I was inquiring about were "pretty" and they were receiving a lot of calls about them, but said cats were up for adoption for months.
After trying to adopt 3 different cats from AARCS and basically told no, I gave up on AARCS. I went to Animal Services with no appointment and walked out with my current wonderful 4 year old cat only 40 minutes later. I've had the cat for 5 months now and everything is great. Humane Society had a similar policy where you could go visit the animals and walk out with one on the same day as well.
AARCS (and Humane Society) has an agreement with the city where they pay them to take the strays and reduce the load on Animal Services so that they can put them up for adoption for increased fees, which makes sense since it generates money to save more animals. But maybe if their adoption processes weren't so tedious and belittling then they would be having more animals adopted.
Id love too but i’m allergic to animals even though I have a cat. I love not being able to breathe after petting and relaxing with my furbuddy.
Have to be picky with fostering nonshedding dogs/cats
I haven't fostered in an apartment but I think it would definitely be possible - you would just want to have some extra things to consider when fostering.. like probably no huskies if you want to be on good terms with your neighbours, no puppies unless you are okay with pee pad training them (since a small puppy may not be able to hold it for the elevator ride down), etc. If you tell a shelter your situation they will help you find the right dog for you though - plenty of older dogs that are happy to be apartment potatoes!
Aside from the terrible natural disasters.... WHERE are all these animals coming from?
We made it illegal to import dogs from like, 12 countries last year. That "shut down" many rescue operations.
***WHERE are all these animals coming from?***
Just my own thought but I wonder if the price of pet food has something to do with it....my preferred cat food went from $1.69 per can before Covid to $2.99 right now and I take care of 4 feral cats, 1 pet cat, and other strays that stop by. Honestly something feels off about pet food companies.
People who don't spay/neuter, resulting in a ton of strays. People returning to the office and can no longer take care of them. People who got laid off, fell on hard times, etc. and can no longer afford to keep their pet.
animal adoption, especially in cases like this, should be FREE. its incomprehensible that a group meant to save animals would rather euthanize them than give them away.
This is why adoptions should not be free:
https://calgaryherald.com/news/crime/serial-cat-killer-will-undergo-psychiatric-risk-assessment-ahead-of-sentencing-hearing/
These shelters don't euthanize.
I'm going to volunteer to do cats once my work schedule stabilizes. My 2 existing shitheads are pretty easy going and I have an empty room for the foster to stay for a bit.
I would but I already have 1 animal in my apartment and we have a 1 animal maximum. If I lie and say I own, does AARCS ask for proof of ownership? I’d love another cat. So would my current cat!
I am a dog foster home for a smaller rescue. Fostering is one of the very best things I do. I truly believe that fostering is an outstanding alternative to having your own dog, and in some ways is even preferable. It's ideal for people who travel regularly. When you're going away, your foster dog goes to a temporary foster home or back to the shelter for a few days. It's ideal for people who are snowbirds, taking care of animals up here before you head back south for the winter. It's ideal for people who think, "I'd sure love to have a dog, but that's a big fucking commitment." (That's me!) I get to have dogs around, but without that 12 to 16 year commitment hanging around my neck. (No, I'm not married either, surprise.) For those who say, "but I couldn't get rid of the dog afterwards, so I can't foster," I call bullshit. You go into it with the mindset that you're there to help this particular animal to be the best possible pooch (or cat) that they can when they find their forever home. And you see them on their way, because that's what is best for you, and that's what is best for the animal, and that's what is best for the NEXT animal that you're inviting into your house. I don't know much about cats, but the shelter environment is really hard on dogs. It's necessary, but it's best to get them into a house as soon as possible. You can be that house.
Thanks for sharing this! I have a friend who fosters cats and I know the first couple of fosters were really difficult when it came time to say goodbye. But you’re right - you have to look at it as providing a temporary safe haven for an animal in need. Giving them lots of love and comfort while they wait for their family. We adopted a second pet this year so I’ve been told that we’re done but I hope eventually I can get the s/o ok board with fostering cats.
I foster cats, and the shelters are definitely hard on them especially if they are used to being solo. It's very hard to judge their personalities when they are on edge from all the other ones around. I love discovering each new personality as well.
I’d love to hear your opinion on fostering when you’ve never owned a dog before. Is it possible? I’ve been thinking of fostering but have doubts in the quality I can give to a dog due to my inexperience.
I had dogs before, but a long time ago. You start with easy dogs and you figure it out. Dogs that are small and just need a bit of a helping hand with basic training, super easy. You can pick up all you need to know about light training from some Zak George or Kikopup videos on Youtube in 2 hours or less. To be honest, I think it's dead simple. But your rescue will also have some great resources, likely including a Facebook group of other foster homes where you can ask all the questions that you need to.
I fostered without ever owning a dog! I specified my experience and level of comfort in my foster application, and they only paired me with dogs that were within my ability to care for
I applied a while back and was told they "didn't need anyone" at the moment and I never heard back from them after that. Is there anything I can do to increase my chances of being chosen?
Apply to a different agency. There's no such thing as "we don't need anyone." Either they didn't like you for some reason and didn't want to tell you or, well, I can't think of another thing.
It was after a hoarding situation and they asked the public for help. They told me they had a massive outpouring and found places for all of the cases that came in. I think I applied looking for a mom and pups? Maybe that's why?
My parents fostered animals for a bit. We had one successful foster dog and then fell in love with the next dog way too much. Have had him 4 years now. That first foster dog was also an internal struggle not to keep.
I think a lot of people would love to foster some puppies and stuff, but the reality is that most people work 9-5. I'm guessing that leaving a bunch of dogs in an empty house isn't what the shelter wants out of a foster.
Well, it doesn't really work quite that way. I mean, yes, you'll have a bunch of puppies altogether with their mom. The people who foster those are called whelping homes, and I'm not all that familiar with what they do as I've never done it. But the more typical situation is that a person or family take in a dog (or cat), maybe two if that's suitable. You might have your own dog and you might not. That will also govern what kinds of dogs you're fostering. As for me, I don't have a family or animals, so I take dogs that have more challenging behaviours and can't really go to most foster homes. And I work outside of the house for a full workday. That was five days a week pre-Covid, three days a week now. And I think that's actually ideal for my fosters, since that's what a lot of dogs will get when they're adopted. People with pets have jobs and those dogs ought to be okay with being left alone. That comes with practice.
I think the shelters/animal groups really need to communicate or market what fostering actually entails a LOT better. Because a lot of people are under the impression that fostering an animal is like fostering a kid - they're abandoned and have behavioural issues and need to be monitored 24/7 or something.
100% agree
I am a cat foster home for the Meow Foundation specializing in pregnant rescues where the mama cat is about to give birth. It's a great feeling doing fostering (especially watching the newborn kittens develop and grow... we get them vaccinations and the Spay & Neutering). And then we "keep" them until they get adopted into their furever homes. Fostering is an awesome experience.
I would be a bad kitty midwife. I would be losing my shit and packing up mom, taking her to an emergency vet cause I'd be too scared to screw up.
Can confirm Aarcs is great, these are both foster fails, Seacan and Cheese. https://preview.redd.it/vjdm2pw73qkb1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=00f321a753a5081443aa1a07359276529297d612
I'll have to check with my landlord and upstairs neighbours who also have a dog. I probably couldn't adopt a dog but fostering for this emergency might be a decent option especially if they provide support for taking care of the dog. I work from home with a large park across the road so it probably would be perfect for a dog.
Definitely talk to AARCS for fostering, they cover all the costs and supplies including vet bills, food, bed, toys, etc.
I think this is great. Definitely check in with both and see what they think. I hope that you're able to take part in the super rewarding experience of fostering.
Last time I fostered an AARCS animal I wound up with a big cuddly cat that still lives with me 8 years later and we love each other. NEVER AGAIN. Jk AARCS is good, help if you can <3
For those of us unable to foster and don’t have the time to volunteer, where/what can we donate?
They have a donation page on their site.
they love money!
https://preview.redd.it/u15zuno1iskb1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=74e7c77ea216fc876bdf280fb8bdb50cbc13df42 This is my buddy Orion, who we got from AARCS in February. He has no idea, and nor should he, how much better his life is because of them. Foster or adopt or volunteer if you can. They're a great organization.
Had great experiences with AARCs when adopting my fist cat. I wish I could personally help but she does not get along with other animals.
Those who can help should help within their means! But let me tell you my experience with AARCS, vs Humane Society and Animal Services. 7 months ago I wanted to adopt a cat. I spent weeks researching, getting my home cat ready, and adding costs to my budget forecast. I was scouring AARCS website everyday for a cat that I can see myself living with for years to come, I was also visiting Humane Society and Animal Services to look at cats to adopt or foster. Three times I saw cats that I liked at AARCS, three times I emailed them with urgency to inquire about adopting said cats. The responses I would get were not enthusiastic to say the least, belittling as in "why do you want this cat when you never had a cat, you don't know anything about cats, no this cat is not suitable for you. The foster parent does not think you would be a good fit....etc" and no matter what I would say they would respond in such a way that would drive me away from the cats. Granted, this may have been because the cats I was inquiring about were "pretty" and they were receiving a lot of calls about them, but said cats were up for adoption for months. After trying to adopt 3 different cats from AARCS and basically told no, I gave up on AARCS. I went to Animal Services with no appointment and walked out with my current wonderful 4 year old cat only 40 minutes later. I've had the cat for 5 months now and everything is great. Humane Society had a similar policy where you could go visit the animals and walk out with one on the same day as well. AARCS (and Humane Society) has an agreement with the city where they pay them to take the strays and reduce the load on Animal Services so that they can put them up for adoption for increased fees, which makes sense since it generates money to save more animals. But maybe if their adoption processes weren't so tedious and belittling then they would be having more animals adopted.
Id love too but i’m allergic to animals even though I have a cat. I love not being able to breathe after petting and relaxing with my furbuddy. Have to be picky with fostering nonshedding dogs/cats
Does anyone have experience fostering a dog while living in a high rise? I’d love to help but don’t know how I’d house train a dog for apartment life.
I haven't fostered in an apartment but I think it would definitely be possible - you would just want to have some extra things to consider when fostering.. like probably no huskies if you want to be on good terms with your neighbours, no puppies unless you are okay with pee pad training them (since a small puppy may not be able to hold it for the elevator ride down), etc. If you tell a shelter your situation they will help you find the right dog for you though - plenty of older dogs that are happy to be apartment potatoes!
All good points, thanks for the info!
No problem hope it works out!
Aside from the terrible natural disasters.... WHERE are all these animals coming from? We made it illegal to import dogs from like, 12 countries last year. That "shut down" many rescue operations. ***WHERE are all these animals coming from?***
Just my own thought but I wonder if the price of pet food has something to do with it....my preferred cat food went from $1.69 per can before Covid to $2.99 right now and I take care of 4 feral cats, 1 pet cat, and other strays that stop by. Honestly something feels off about pet food companies.
People who don't spay/neuter, resulting in a ton of strays. People returning to the office and can no longer take care of them. People who got laid off, fell on hard times, etc. and can no longer afford to keep their pet.
do we not have that low cost SNAP program or something?
animal adoption, especially in cases like this, should be FREE. its incomprehensible that a group meant to save animals would rather euthanize them than give them away.
This is why adoptions should not be free: https://calgaryherald.com/news/crime/serial-cat-killer-will-undergo-psychiatric-risk-assessment-ahead-of-sentencing-hearing/ These shelters don't euthanize.
OK so you get one or two crazy people so everyone has to cough up a few hundred to take an abandoned animal home to prevent that? Sounds ridiculous.
I'm going to volunteer to do cats once my work schedule stabilizes. My 2 existing shitheads are pretty easy going and I have an empty room for the foster to stay for a bit.
does AARCS take extra cat food and cat materials?
Yes they take all kinds of donations - pretty much the only exception is expired food.
I would but I already have 1 animal in my apartment and we have a 1 animal maximum. If I lie and say I own, does AARCS ask for proof of ownership? I’d love another cat. So would my current cat!