Every Dog Should Have a Home

For that matter, every cat, donkey, horse, pot-bellied pig and domesticated mammal should too. Only 10 percent of dogs born will find a permanent home. Roughly 70 million cats are homeless in the United States. Only 25 to 30 percent of dogs in shelters are purebreds. The rest are mostly mutts.

It was the photo on Facebook that caught me, shared by a friend who’s involved in animal rescue. A mother dog nursing five puppies looked at the camera with a forlorn expression. “Please help!” her eyes pleaded. So do something, I thought.

One well-known animal rescue nonprofit in my city is desperate for foster homes to provide a loving environment, water, food, a clean, dry shelter, exercise and safety. That’s a no-brainer. As I learned, foster homes are required to complete an application and have their veterinarian references verified. Next, we signed a four-page agreement to abide by the organization’s rules, which include taking the foster dog or cat to weekly adoption events and promoting on the rescue’s social media. That’s not so hard, right?

Anyone who has raised a puppy, kitten or even an older pet understands what’s involved, particularly with a puppy. Potty training, socialization, vaccinations, behavioral training are the minimum requirements. Rescue dogs frequently have abandonment issues, anxiety and physical health issues that a foster home must be informed about; some problems aren’t uncovered until the dog is in the home. A good rescue organization will have resources and referrals to help fosters learn to work with and improve the animal’s behavior.

Our first foster puppy was one of a rescued litter of five, found in deplorable conditions and infected with canine parvovirus, or parvo. She was the only one to survive with extended veterinary care. Princess was a tiny, spunky, bright-eyed pitbull/terrier mix, as are many of the dumped animals. She was adopted within a week by a family who wanted just her style.

Our second foster, Blaze, was of many origins, likely cattle dog, German shorthaired pointer and pitbull terrier, from his markings and head shape, with feet the size of saucers. He was ten pounds the day I met him, and when he went to his new family two months later, he weighed in at 36 pounds.

Four days after Blaze was adopted, we were asked to foster Mango, a four-month-old, 11-pound Australian shepherd/collie mix. Her temporary foster told us, “I live at the end of a rural road where puppies are frequently dumped. I now have 11 puppies in a small enclosure; I’m just up to my ears in puppies.” Mango is a shy baby; her littermates, named for identification and veterinary tracking, Apple, Pineapple, Prune and Banana, are twice her size and picked on her by chewing off half of her right ear. It just makes her more endearing. In fact, she may be a foster fail.

If this is the course for you, here are some considerations for preparing your home and family.

Create a safe space; make sure your home is dog-friendly and safe with a designated area for your new pet to retreat to. Gradually introduce her to other pets slowly and in a controlled manner. It may take a few days for them to be comfortable.

Stock up on essentials such as food, bowls, a bed, leash, collar and toys. I believe a crate is essential for the dog’s emotional security; the bonus is that it helps with potty training. Your rescue organization may provide many of these, but many foster “parents” tend to purchase or provide food, cute outfits, nutritional supplements, special shampoos and conditioners if the pup’s skin condition needs improvement.

Try to follow the 3-3-3 rule, which gives the foster dog time to adjust to their new surroundings. The first three days should be for adjusting, the next three weeks for training and bonding, and the last three months for continued socialization and training. Use positive reinforcement training methods to teach your dog new skills and behaviors. Be understanding; it may take time for them to settle in and trust you.

Brush up on the structure of the rescue organization and its requirements for adopters. My group has staff that cover administration, coordinating rescues, fosters and veterinary care, a finance and accounting director, a photographer and marketing director. These roles may be interchangeable and persons holding them are cross-trained for emergencies and personnel changes. The board of directors, volunteers who provide guidance and fundraising support, meets state and federal guidelines for nonprofits. The organization is required to file annual Federal 990 forms. If you have doubts, check charitynavigator.com or another nonprofit watchdog.

The house is a wreck; laundry’s not finished; there are new holes dug in the yard. But for each rescue placed, two lives are saved, this one and the one for whom a space is made.

Sources: dogtime.com and twobytworescue.com.