By: Alison Almy
I’m working now on our next foster dog and the family is getting excited about our new addition.
Usually the first words out of someone’s mouth when I tell them that I foster dogs are “Oh I could never do that! I could never get attached and then let go!“.
I will admit, with my first foster it was really hard to let go. Not so much for my own selfish reasons but seeing my children give up a dog they had loved so much.
Miraculously – the kids recovered and the next foster came and then another and another. Soon we had a collection of photographs and memories of good times with these wonderful furry creatures.
My kids are just seven years old and they already get it. They get the fact that we are saving a precious animal. They get that we’re helping someone or another family find their forever dog. 
They understand that despite the fact that they may fall in love with this new dog and never want to see it go that there’s another pet just around the corner with tons of love and affection and in need of their help.
Whether you have children, live alone, are retired or live a busy life, you have the ability to foster. You don’t have to accept every dog. The shelter or rescue that you are working with will provide background information about the pet, and insight to determine if the dog is the right fit for your home.
I promise that it will enrich your life more than it will hurt your heart. You will not only gain the love of a beloved animal, you’ll gain lifelong friendships from other foster parents you meet, families that inquire about why you foster as well as potentially becoming friends with those that adopt your fur baby. Many fosters are short term, but there is a great need for medical foster, senior dogs, puppies, kittens. You can pick and choose, who knows … you might find your furever dog this way too. Try it once, you may find a new passion.
You can focus on a specific breed or reach out to local shelters in your area. A simple call or email explaining you would like to apply to be a foster is all it takes.
For a list of shelters and rescues that are in need of foster families, please visit this page.