WHY FOSTER?

WHY SHOULD I FOSTER?

If you don't already know it, dogs are amazingly resilient animals. The satisfaction you get from fostering and knowing that you have made a difference for a dog in need is more gratifying and outweighs any small sacrifice you may make to bring a foster into your home. There are always dogs ranging from seniors to a few weeks old in shelters who need our help.

When you foster, you are freeing up a spot so the shelter or rescue can take in another dog and giving your foster dog the time he/she needs to be ready for an adoptive home. Every shelter pet that is brought into a foster home brings down the number of dogs euthanized every year. Fosters are the heart of our rescue.

If you have never fostered a rescue dog, you will be amazed how quickly they take to living in a home with a person or family that cares.  Most are easily house trained, some are effortless, others may be challenging, and some dogs are already trained. Once they have lived the good life, it becomes pretty appealing to them and “they live to please you” never wanting to return or live from where they started: they want a family to love. Most of our fosters say one that one of the best feelings is when your foster dog has realized that they are "safe" and that they have learned to trust you.

You will find that Dogworks fosters and volunteers have a similar goal. That goal is to help dogs like these find loving, forever homes. When you foster / volunteer for Dogworks you will be part of a group of people that is more like an extended family of dog lovers, working together to help save lives.

We must have foster homes in order to save dogs. Dogworks success is contingent on the number of foster homes we have available as we do not have a shelter or boarding facility. The solution is simple—the more foster families we have, the more dogs we can save!

So, why would anyone open up their home to an unknown, sometimes untrained dog? The rewards for your time and effort are displayed in the eyes, the wagging tails and sloppy kisses which many share once they know they are “safe”. Given the chance - they all have futures!

Still wondering why others get involved? Meet just a few of our fosters below.

Candice

HOW AND WHY DID YOU GET STARTED FOSTERING?

I always wanted to foster dogs knowing so many needed to be saved. In April 2015 Dogworks had puppies in the rescue that needed a foster. I knew I couldn't pass up the chance to foster them so I put in a foster application and thats where it all started.

HOW HAS FOSTERING AFFECTED YOUR LIFE?

Fostering has affected my life in so many ways. I thought I knew about rescue until I really got into it. It is so eye opening and heartbreaking to see how many dogs are stuck in shelters. My kids love being involved in fostering. It has taught them so much.

Allayne

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST SURPRISE ABOUT BEING A DOG FOSTER PARENT?

I thought that it would be harder to allow a dog to leave. I was testing myself with the first foster. I thought that if I got too attached, that this was not going to work for me. However, we have been able to be involved in the selection of the adoptive parents, which helps the foster feel more secure that the dog is going to the right home for him/her.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THINKING ABOUT FOSTERING?

The only way to know if it works for you is to try it. You should connect with an organization and talk to the administrators about your concerns. In many ways, dealing with dogs is like dealing with people. If you have a little love and a little time to spare, a dog could use your help!

Stefany

HOW MANY DOGS HAVE YOU FOSTERED, AND WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE?

Well, there has been Sherry (who we joke as a foster fail since I adopted her); REO (Mario) and Mila (Peach) who were 10 day old orphans that were part of a litter that DogWorks rescued which we named the Crazy 8. All hold a place in my soul for their own reasons, I can't really say a favorite - well other than my own Sherry!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO IS THINKING ABOUT FOSTERING?

Knowing that you helped a four-legged friend find their place in this world will not just warm your heart, or their heart... It will also warm the heart of those which it will forever belong to and that alone is worth it.

Laura

HOW HAS FOSTERING AFFECTED YOUR LIFE?

It is one of the best things I have ever done, more rewarding than any job, or accomplishment I have had.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO IS THINKING ABOUT FOSTERING?

Know your limitations, so you don’t get overwhelmed. You cannot save them all but you can make a difference to each one as you are able.

Rebecca

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST SURPRISE ABOUT
BEING A DOG FOSTER PARENT?

How much I love it. The moment the dog realizes they are safe and they sigh and go to sleep

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO IS THINKING ABOUT FOSTERING?

Consider the breed. Can you handle a tiny dog, big dog, a chewer? Look at all the aspects...and then do it anyway.