Have you Ever Considered Fostering a Homeless Pet?
Kane had important work this month. Baby Beluga an 11-week-old Catahoula Leaped Dog came to stay at his house for two weeks. His litter mates all went home to their adoptive family and little Beluga was alone and sick. Beluga could not walk because he grew too fast, so he needed to regain his health before returning to the animal shelter at the Lowell Humane Society.
Kane was up to the initial task. He decided to guard the puppy. He let the humans know when he moved around, showed him how to go outside and where to sleep. Kane even allowed some minimal cuddling.
Kane thought, ‘wow fostering is pretty easy.’
Then overnight Beluga was not just walking, he was running.
Kane reports it was like living with a flying squirrel. He barked, play bit Kane and his sister Ruby on the bum and tail, and he had endless energy. Baby Beluga was noisy, he used all Kane’s toys and got lots of attention from Kane’s humans. So fostering means sharing time and being patient with little puppies who have come into hard times. You see it’s worth it because Fostering Saves lives! And Beluga was just being a normal friendly puppy.
So, Kane Asks Why Foster?
Well, look at how happy Kane’s friend Marshall is!
He is in foster care with Kane’s human friends Brian and Isabell. In the shelter at the Lowell Humane Society, he was very large for small spaces and found himself anxious and a good match for home care. Marshall is very lucky to live like a king in foster care until his new adoptive family finds him. In fact, Marshall is still available for adoption at the Lowell Humane Society.
Kane decided to do some research on foster care.
Kane reports that it definitely makes more room in the shelter for the recent overcrowding situation in Massachusetts and throughout the country. But on a more personal note, many animals are too overwhelmed in the shelter from the noise so they shut down or become dog reactive.
Many strays coming into the shelter have not been properly socialized. By living in a home with a family they learn to be housebroken, learn good manners, and in many situations learn to accept love after being let down by humans. All these skills help them be more adoptable.
Kane explained that dogs with good manners and well socialized pups have a better chance of being adopted more quickly if they interact well with others.. Foster care allows the pups to learn these skills. A Shelter can be very scary for senior dogs and dogs that are in general very shy. Foster care allows for more normalcy, and an opportunity to learn house sounds, routines, and a place to recover for medical dogs.
Here are a few local shelters and rescues looking for foster care homes locally.
Lowell Humane Society info@lowellhumanesociety.org
Sweet Paws Rescue info@sweetpawsrescue.org
Bullied Breeds Rescue info@bulliedbreedsrescue.org
As for Beluga well he is walked and played with several times a day at the Lowell Humane Society by volunteers and staff but what he really deserves is a home. Being a working breed, he would love an energetic family. Could you do Kane a favor and spread the word about Beluga and Marshall needing homes. (Call the Lowell Humane Society at 978-452-7781 to meet them.)
A hard part of fostering is helping a pup out, falling in love, then letting them go to their new family. Although Kane will be so happy for Beluga and Marshall when they get adopted, he will feel sad he might not see them again. But boy, won’t those tears be worth it.
Kane asks you to adopt and don’t shop. Kane was adopted from Imminent Danger German shepherd where he was cared for by the best foster care family when he was less than three months old. Kane’s sister Ruby was very ill when brought to his house by Lowell Animal Control and is healthy now.
He and Ruby are the best of friends and are both appreciative for their current life. Please consider fostering a pup, volunteering, or donating your time. Fostering saves lives!
Take care, Kane Peaslee
WOOF!◊
