Fostering a pet can be just as rewarding

In these tough economic times, many families may not be able to afford the cost of veterinary bills and pet food for a new pet, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t interested in bringing one into their lives……even if only for a short time.

It is a wonderful way to bring home  a pet awaiting adoption and getting him used to home and family, rather than be inside a shelter with alot of other dogs and commotion. Most often, this situation only brings out more fear and anti and lack of socialness in a pup.

San Francisco resident Sherri Franklin caught the pet fostering bug from a dog named Angel, a chow/golden retriever mix so shy she would cower when she met new people.

“I called her a ghost dog, because she would run through the house and hide under the bed,” Franklin said. She and her other dogs gave Angel space and some TLC, and it paid off. “To see her running on the beach and finally come out and doing things like give a little kiss or lean against you — it was so amazing.”

Sheri ended up starting  Muttville, a nonprofit Bay Area rescue group relying entirely on foster homes to house its dogs.

“A lot of people like fostering because, while they want to help animals, they don’t want to make a forever commitment,” she said. “Maybe they know they’ll be moving in the coming year, or maybe they have job obligations that are seasonal and know they can only help out during certain months.”

“Fostering is the perfect way to get my kitten fix,” said Norma Stevlingson, who fosters cats for the Animal Rescue Federation in Superior, Wis. “If you want a half hour of sheer joyous entertainment, go sit on the floor and watch a litter of kittens. It’s better than anything on television.”

Fostering an animal this season, just might be a great way to start something good to the many animals needing homes but have not found one yet.

Kaley corgi kisses !!! every pup deserves a home…even if it is only temporary until a permanent one can be found

muttville rescue