What Fostering Is Not
Since I started fostering, I have discovered that not everyone has
the same ideas about the process. It seems as though some people
view it as a trial period to determine whether they want to adopt
the dog permanently. Some start out with the right intentions, but
become too attached to the dog and are unable to give it up. Others
are only willing to foster one particular dog. A few have even tried
to "foster" dogs because they wanted to get a dog without
paying the adoption fee! In my opinion, none of these attitudes reflect
the true spirit or intent of foster care programs.
Although I can understand why the general public may be confused
about the purpose of foster care for dogs, I am continually suprised
to find that many people in animal rescue don't always get it
either. Encouraging foster families to adopt their foster dogs is
generally not a great idea! Why? Because in most cases, people who
foster already have one or several "forever" dogs. They
probably don't have many extra slots for new dogs in their packs,
either because of time and space constraints, or because their municipality
allows only a certain number of pets per household. If a foster family
adopts a dog, that "slot" is no longer available for the
next needy dog. I have two wonderful dogs, plus one "slot" for
a foster dog. If I adopted one of my fosters, I would have to give
up fostering altogether. There are no number limits where I live;
I simply don't have the time or the space for four dogs. And quite
frankly, I don't WANT three full-time dogs! My two, Brin and Echo,
fulfill every dog-related need I have -- except for my desire to
help the others.
So how do I prevent myself from becoming too attached? I never think
of a foster dog as "mine." Each dog already belongs to
someone else -- it just so happens that I haven't met that person
yet. The dogs just stay with me until their special person is able
to come and take them home. Another foster volunteer looks for faults
in each new dog: "Oh, well, we don't need
another male." "This one's nice, but we already have a
white one." And of course the easiest way to keep from getting
too attached is to remember that there is another dog that needs
my help after this one goes home.
I try not to be too picky about which dogs I will foster. Within
limits, I will take whichever dog needs me at the time. My only requirements
are that the dog can reasonably be expected to get along with my
other dogs and not devour my cat. I don't go to the shelter and say, "Oh,
that one's cute and quiet and will be easy to place without a lot
of work." Instead, I wait for a call saying, "There's a
dog that really needs help." This is probably why I usually
end up with the big, rowdy, untrained, adolescent, shy, sick, or
ordinary-looking ones. They need my help to become healthy, trusting,
controllable companions. Sometimes they are perfectly healthy and
well-behaved, but just need a little extra time and effort to find
a new owner who can see their "inner beauty."
Fostering is not a way to get a free dog. It is not a trial period
before adoption. And it certainly isn't easy. Fostering is a way
to help a dog that really needs you. At times, it's incredibly stressful.
It requires dedication, hard work, serious time commitments, lots
of stain remover, and -- above all -- an understanding of the purpose
of the process. If you can't give your heart to a dog and then let
it go when it doesn't need you anymore, you probably shouldn't get
involved.
So what is fostering? For me, it's the most rewarding thing I've
ever done.
Click below to read a wonderful poem by Grace Saalsaa. If you truly "get" it
-- if you are moved by this poem -- please consider getting involved
in a foster care program. The dogs need someone like you!
Little Pieces by Grace Saalsaa
