How You Can Save a Dog's Life

Foster Homes

As an animal rescue advocate and volunteer, I want to applaud those that are in the trenches day in and day out. Those that sacrifice their time to do transports, driving dogs to safety from the kill shelter they were brought to; those that volunteer their time to get the word out about dogs in need, and give up their weekends to help out at adoption events or answer countless emails and voicemails of people either dumping their dog or requesting information about an adoptable dog; and those that donate money and supplies for rescues to continue to operate—to keep on saving dogs from their certain death in gas chambers and by lethal injection. I also want to raise up those who volunteer their homes and hearts, to be a temporary safe haven for dogs on their way to their “furever” homes.  

Foster homes are so important for dogs in need. They provide a safe haven for dogs that would have been put down had a rescue not stepped in, with a volunteer giving the dog a space in their own home. The dog’s behavior inside a kennel or animal control is different from his behavior with his family—at the kennel, he is scared and confused as to why he ended up there, loud noises startle him, and he begins to either act out or become timid. A foster home allows for the dog to be in a home environment and will tell potential adopters what the dog is really like—cat- or dog-friendly? Kid-friendly? Couch potato or ball of energy? This allows the rescue to place him in the best home possible.

By taking a dog into your home as a foster parent, you’re freeing up another space in the rescue to save another dog. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that four million cats and dogs are euthanized each year because of overpopulation –that is one pet every eight seconds. Shelter euthanasia is the leading cause of death for dogs in the US (American Humane Association). By providing a temporary foster home, you are saving two lives—the life of the dog you take in to your own home, and the life of another dog to take its spot in rescue.

Jake

Our very first foster was a Boxer mix named Jake. He was a perfect dog, as far as first fosters go. He was calm, yet playful when our resident Plott Hound wanted to engage play. He was great around our then-16-month-old daughter. We went to several adoption events with the rescue we volunteered with, bringing Jake in his finest “Adopt Me!” bandana, freshly bathed and being a gentleman. In less than two months, Jake found himself a new home—a couple who came in to the pet supply store to get some food and fell in love at first sight. They brought their resident dog up to the store to meet Jake, and they got along great. After filling out an application and passing the home visit, they welcomed Jake into their home: a happy ending for a Death Row Doggie.

How Can You Help?

Local rescues are in great need of foster homes—they can’t save more dogs without them. As long as you provide a safe environment, the rescue will provide vetting, and most even provide food and toys. Fostering a dog (or cat!) is one of the most rewarding things you will ever do—you have literally saved a life. There are many rescues among Metro Detroit looking for foster homes—even temporarily, as puppies are weaning from their mothers, or recovering from heartworm treatment, or for a foster who is going on vacation and needs a temporary foster—and will have you fill out an application. Look at PetFinder.com to search for local rescues, or shoot a few of these an email:

• FIDO Dog Rescue –Ann Arbor
• Humane Society of Huron Valley – Ann Arbor
• Forever Friends Rescue –Davison
• Last Chance Rescue – Howell
• Last Day Dog Rescue – Livonia
• Waggin’ Tails Dog Rescue –Northville
• Michigan Animal Rescue League – Pontiac