Fosters Learn That They're Loved(01 of14)
Open Image Modal\"Watching a dog that has been in a shelter environment, or hurt, or abused or all of the above enter your home is a magical, beautiful thing,\" writes regular fosterer Tamera Jackson on the Pibbles & More Animal Rescue blog. \"Though they may not be settled, yet they surely seem to know they are safe and, yes, loved.\" (credit:Tamera Jackson)
It's (Usually) So Fun For Your Other Pets(02 of14)
Open Image ModalLisa Morabito, director of operations for Baltimore\'s city shelter, has had a lot of foster kittens come through her home.\n
\nThey always end up snuggled close to the big pack of dogs who live with Morabito and her husband on a permanent basis. The dogs don\'t seem to mind the attention one bit. (The dueling sweater outfits are maybe another story!) (credit:Lisa Morabito)
You're Saving Lives(03 of14)
Open Image ModalEvery animal who goes into a foster home brings down the number of shelter pets euthanized each year.\n
\n\"Not only are they helping us get animals adopted, but they are freeing up space at our adoption centers for other animals in need,\" says Zenit Chughtai, spokesperson for the Washington Humane Society, D.C.\'s city shelter.\n
\n\"Fosters are the light and joy of my day. They swoop in and help all the animals that need their care the most,\" adds WHS\'s foster coordinator Jennah Billeter. \"They\'re not only heroes to animals, they\'re heroes to all of us who care so deeply about animal welfare.\" (credit:courtesy of the Washington Humane Society)
It'll Make You Feel Great(04 of14)
Open Image Modal\"It is truly remarkable watching the dogs transition from skittish, scared little animals to trusting, flourishing members of a family,\" says Steven P. Zimmer, who fosters dogs through Delaware-based Renee\'s Rescues. \"People find different ways to enrich their lives but for us, fostering dogs is what does it. Both making the dogs feel better about their world and making us feel about ourselves.\" (credit:Renee\'s Rescues)
Foster Pets Will Make You Laugh(05 of14)
Open Image ModalDroopy the basset hound was skin and bones and sick with pneumonia, when Emily Gear, director of the rescue group Louie\'s Legacy, took him in as a foster.\n
\nAs he was brought back to health, his goofy personality appeared, and Droopy \"became a bouncing, boisterous happy Basset Hound with one of the funniest personalities I\'ve ever seen.\" \n
\n\"Droopy is a character and would make me laugh constantly. The more I laughed, the more he would clown,\" says Gear, who was able to help this lovable guy find a wonderful family of his own after about six months of fostering. (credit:Emily Gear)
Your Human Kids Will Love It, Too(06 of14)
Open Image ModalKelly Duer takes in a lot of dogs who need socialization. She loves seeing these pups learn how to be well-loved pets. It\'s great for her human kids, too.\n
\n\"Interacting and gaining the trust of these abandoned dogs, many of whom have also been mistreated, has been incredible for their self-esteem,\" says Duer. \"It\'s been a wonderful experience for all of us.\" (credit:Kelly Duer)
Fostering Is Flexible(07 of14)
Open Image ModalLaura Peters and her husband can\'t take in a full-time foster dog. So they pick up fosters for a couple of days at a time, through the Fairfax County Animal Shelter in Northern Virginia. \n
\n\"We can take in a shelter dog on the weekend, give him or her a break from the shelter environment, offer an extended play date with our dog -- which is actually good for her, too! -- take great pictures and learn important things about our foster dog that will be helpful to potential adopters to facilitate the perfect match,\" Peters says. \"All the dogs we have fostered have found their forever home within just a few days of their return to the shelter!\" (credit:courtesy of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter)
Fostering Can Help You Heal(08 of14)
Open Image ModalJulia Grosz started fostering after the death of her beloved cat Monkey.\n
\n\"She was a spooky little cuss that nobody liked, but she was my rock,\" Grosz says. \n
\nGrosz decided to foster a cat named Heath, who\'d been described by shelter staff as a \"moody jerk,\" thinking that this guy would help her get over her heartbreak.\n
\n\"He turned out to be the complete opposite, which wasn\'t entirely disappointing,\" says Grosz. \"Heath brought so much joy into my life while he was here, and personally seeing him off to his new mom completely redefined my understanding of love and purpose. To call the experience profound would cheapen it; Heefy showed me my best self, and mended my broken heart in the process.\" (credit:Julia Grosz)
You'll Give A Pet A Chance To Shine(09 of14)
Open Image ModalPets who might not thrive in a shelter setting have \"a chance to be healthy and happy,\" says Sam Querry, whose foster cats have their own Facebook page. \"It also helps potential adopters get to see what a great personality the animal has in a home setting.\" (credit:Sam\'s Foster Kittens)
Getting Started Is Easy(10 of14)
Open Image ModalMost shelters and rescue groups have information on their websites about how to get started as a foster. Here\'s the Washington Humane Society\'s, for example. \n
\nIf you can\'t easily find the information for your local shelter or favorite rescue group, call, or send an email, to find out more. They will be so happy to hear from you. (credit:courtesy of Washington Humane Society)
You're Covered(11 of14)
Open Image ModalShelters and rescue groups will typically cover medical costs for fosters. Sometimes, they\'ll foot the bill for food and other day-to-day expenses, as well. (credit:Melissa Lipani)
You'll Make New Friends(12 of14)
Open Image ModalPam Townsend stays in touch with the family who adopted one of her favorite fosters.\n
\n\"One of the added benefits of fostering: meeting and getting to know people I\'d never have met otherwise,\" she says. (credit:Pam Townsend)
Goodbye Is A Happy Ending(13 of14)
Open Image ModalDon\'t be put off fostering because you think it\'ll be too hard when your sweetie gets adopted. \n
\n\"It’s never easy to say goodbye to these beautiful souls, but seeing their happy ending makes it all worthwhile,\" says Lucy Rockdale, founder of My Buddy Dog Rescue. \"And just when that chapter comes to an end, there is another one waiting in the wings for a chance to be saved.\" (credit:Lucy Rockdale)
And If You Really Fall In Love...(14 of14)
Open Image ModalKelly Garrison knew that she was sunk when her foster Bumper almost got adopted. \"I cried and cried. Everything happens for a reason,\" she says.\n
\nBumper is now permanent at her house, and even has a beloved brother, another \"foster failure\" named Willis. \n
\nGarrison is still bringing home new fosters from Missouri-based Mutts n Stuff on a regular basis. \n
\n\"There just isn\'t a better feeling that could ever compare,\" Garrison says, \"knowing what you have done in saving a life.\" (credit:Kelly Garrison)