What is it like to be a FOCAS Foster Parent?
Read what our fosters have to say!
Cyndi's First Foster Dog:
After volunteering for FOCAS for 6 years as a dog handler at adoption events, I became a foster mom in 2005 when I was finally able to have a dog. I saw in those first 6 years, just how important fostering is: it provides an environment for the dog or cat to show who they are so that the right home can be found. Many dogs and cats flourish once they find the security that comes with a foster home. My first foster, Camille, was just this way:
Camille was a 7-year-old black lab/shepherd mix. She would never have made it out of the shelter if it weren’t for FOCAS. Dogs with dark fur can have a difficult time getting adopted since visitors have a hard time seeing them in the kennels. Couple that with the fact that she had arthritis and was a little overweight, and she was considered even less “adoptable”. Camille was listed as “cat aggressive” at the shelter, but upon meeting her, I knew that this just wasn’t in her nature. During the time that I had her, FOCAS put her on some great medications to help with the arthritis pain and she began to walk off some of the weight. In addition, I was able to find out that she did really well with cats when she wasn’t in the stress of the shelter environment. Camille was adopted by a wonderful woman whose only criteria was that she wanted a dog that would give her kisses when she got home and that got along with her cat. That was Camille’s description to a “T”; she only wanted someone to love her and now sleeps with her mom and sister cat on the bed.
I am now on my 8th foster and people always ask me how I can give them up…I simply reply “because there is always another face looking at me needing help”.
Carol's description of life as a FOCAS Foster Parent:
Deciding to volunteer as fosters for the FOCAS dog program is one of the best life choices we've ever made. We get back every bit as much as we give - actually more! Rescuing dogs from the shelter and bringing them to our home to live with us makes a huge difference in a dog's chance to have a new and happy beginning.
What do we give? Fostering means an extra mouth to feed, and extra fur-kid to bathe and walk, and sometimes means some extra cleanup/repairs due to doggy mischief, or even extra trips to the vet. We attend adoption events with our charges and act as FOCAS ambassadors to the public. We screen potential adopters, keeping in mind that our goal is to find the best possible home for the dog--even if it occasionally means turning away a well-intentioned person.
What do we get? While the dog is with us, he/she is a family member. We're not Mom and Dad--more like Aunt and Uncle, but family nonetheless. The dogs sense this. These unsettled, insecure shelter dogs transform into calm and more confident house dogs. We see the dog's personality blossom, and it's beyond gratifying. We get doggy kisses, exuberant greetings, and loving send-offs. But the biggest reward comes on adoption day. Knowing we've played a part in placing a dog in just the right home, and seeing them settle in with a new "forever" family. It doesn't get any better!
Paloma's Foster Story:
Paloma was forced to live the first few years of her life as a puppy-making machine. She was owned by a backyard breeder who was only interested in Paloma producing as many puppies as possible, in the shortest amount of time. When her owner was forced to surrender her, Paloma found herself in one of the county animal shelters.
When she first arrived at the shelter, the medical staff was shocked to see the physical toll of having numerous puppies had taken on her. It was clear her body never recovered between litters and her teats nearly touched the ground. There was also another shocking revelation, Paloma didn’t know how to be a dog…to play, chase a ball, go for car rides, what dog toys were for, know how to interact with adult dogs or how to bond with people. Paloma was a sweet dog, but her personality was almost lackluster.
Because of the incredible trust still in Paloma’s eyes, FOCAS knew they had to help her. FOCAS provided all the medical care necessary to help Paloma regain her fit body and of course had her spayed. In July ’07 her foster mom Robin began guiding Paloma through a loving and nurturing 5-month transformation process where Paloma learned to be a dog. As Paloma learned to bond and trust Robin, she also learned to accept and play with other dogs, how to play ball, catch a Frisbee and mastered the fine art of car rides.
Thanks to her wonderful foster, Paloma is now in a loving home, and is loving life!
