Love Animals? Consider Becoming a Foster Family

LOVE ANIMALS?

Consider Becoming a Foster Family

BY LISA S. T. DOSS

In October of 2020, a malnourished mountain cur and plot hound puppy, estimated at 10-monthsold, accepted the friendly call to approach a stranger on a city street in Mount Airy. The immediately affectionate brindle puppy was taken to Surry Animal Rescue to be medically checked and assessed for aggression. Within days, the puppy, named Zeke, arrived at a farm and found comfort in a foster family with acres of land and dogs. Within two weeks, Zeke received a request to meet his forever family.

THE RESPONSE FROM ANIMAL LOVERS

Dogs and cats arrive weekly at animal shelters and rescue centers due to age, health, behavior, or the inability of owners to continue care. In cities and towns, concerned people stepped up during the response to Covid-19’s business site closures, starting in April 2020. Animal lovers called, sent e-mails, and filled out foster applications, willing to welcome some lucky person’s forever friend into their home and daily life. Within months, rescue centers and animal shelters became quickly alarmed. Almost every pet that went into the tender hands of a foster family applied for adoption. And, the need for new, approved applications increased!

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

Dani writes, “The role of an animal foster parent allows you to get to know the true

personality of an adoptable pet in a home setting, without stressing the animal by keeping him or her caged in a noisy environment. Most animals don’t act like themselves in a sheltered location. I enjoy meeting prospective families, giving them information about a dog or cat’s routine, and answering questions. When I see the excitement on each face I meet, I know I am an important part of the transition.”

ARE YOU READY?

Ask yourself a few questions before applying to be an animal foster parent. • Are your pets welcoming to new animals? If you have an alpha female or male, you may request a specific sex or size. Just remember, dogs that regularly have the opportunity to socialize and meet other breeds tend to handle stress and strangers with ease. • Decide whether you are interested in a specific breed, such as a golden retriever, or if you want to help all breeds. Would you consider fostering ferrets, rabbits, hamsters, or parrots?

The answer will determine what type of rescue agency you chose to contact. • Can your home accommodate small animals, such as kittens and puppies, or large animals like a German shepherd

or Great Dane? Keep in mind small dogs, puppies, and kittens are often in demand and have a quick time- frame of adoption. • Do you have flexibility in your schedule to accommodate extra responsibilities, such as vet appointments and meeting families?

ELIMINATING EXCUSES

Michael and Susan Johnson thought they were too busy to become animal foster parents. Susan writes, “We have three dogs and two cats, full-time jobs working from home, and three children. Our plates are full, but there are no excuses when it comes to helping animals. We always have the space for one more. As a family, we help establish routines, become accustomed to strangers, and learn social skills. Most often, fostering increases an animal’s chances of getting adopted. Our children are learning important lessons in the experience. It is truly a win-win for all!”

REACH OUT

With abundant shelters and rescues near your home, it should be simple to find two or three who need foster parents by accessing a website and social media page to find additional information.

MOST REQUIRE:

• The primary caregiver to be at least 18 years old. • Foster parents to live close to the shelter or rescue facility. • That prospective fosterers have a room in the home, separate from other animals, to keep foster pets. • That all pets in the home have updated examinations and vaccinations. • Prospective foster parents to submit a background check form and online application. • Prospective foster parents to complete a virtual training session, which includes program expectations and basic medical information.

After 35-plus opportunities, John Bartlett writes, “They fill our lives with glee as we take care of them until the day comes when we say goodbye—a day that is always bittersweet. For the first-time fosterer, they see if their heart and soul is strong enough to endure it again. If so, they start the process anew. For some, their heart couldn’t bear to part, and they adopt their fosters—we dub them “Failed Fosterers,” but there’s never any malice in it. We secretly wish we had as well!”

Call with Your Home Buying,

Hunter Realty

Selling, and Property Management Needs.

CHRIS WRIGHTS

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www.hunterrealtyonline.com chris.hunterrealty@gmail.com

BY MEGAN TAYLOR

It didn’t matter your age or grade level, field trips at school were always a fun time. Spending a day away from the classroom and exploring an exciting place, whether it be a zoo, museum, or historic site. Sometimes field trips ventured into other cities and states. School may now look a little different, as well as taking a field trip, but the feeling of going someplace new has stayed the same. Lucky for us, with the increase in technology, new doors have been opened for taking field trips from the comfort of our own homes or classrooms. Through websites and online interactives, virtual field trips have become a popular way to travel the world within the past several months. After all, who wouldn’t want to take a trip to the Palace of Versailles in France on a Tuesday afternoon and be back by dinner? Browse and research the list of sites through the world to get your family’s virtual field started.

The Georgia Aquarium:

Visit with the jellyfish, sharks, sea otters, penguins, other sea creatures and mammals through the aquarium’s webcam features. https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/webcam/ocean-voyager/

Canadian Farm and Food Tours:

Learn about life on a farm in Canada. Through multiple tours, you’ll be able to experience life on a dairy farm, sheep farm, and pig farm, as well as learn about apple orchards and oat processing. https://www.farmfood360.ca/

Stellarium Web Planetarium:

Explore over 60,000 stars, find the different planets, and learn about sunrises and solar eclipses in one of the last frontiers— space! FUN FACT: you can enter your location to find specific constellations to your area. An app version is also available. https://stellarium-web.org/

Boston Children’s Museum:

A children’s museum can bring out the child in any of us. Three floors, packed full of goodies, are available for you to journey though at the Boston Children’s Museum. Popular attractions include a Japanese House and the Explore-a-Saurus. https://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/museum-virtual-tour

The Great Wall of China:

With over 2,000 years of history and 3,000 miles in length, the Great Wall of China is a timeless landmark. Experience the historic site through a 360-degree view that saves you all the walking. https://www.thechinaguide.com/destination/great-wall-of-china

Colonial Williamsburg:

Take a step back in time to colonial America through the multiple webcams at Colonial Williamsburg. Known as a living history museum, Colonial Williamsburg depicts what life would have been like in early America by showing sites, such as the tavern, the Market House, and more. https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/webcams/

The Louvre Museum:

Home to the Mona Lisa painting, the Louvre Museum in Paris, France is a place to visit on many people’s bucket list. Now, you can visit sections of the museum online. Currently, four virtual tours are being offered, including exhibits on the connection between art and politics, using art to represent movement, and inspiration from myths to creating art. https://www.louvre.fr/en/online-tours#tabs

M&Ms Factory Tour:

Learn how one of America’s favorite candies is created through a M&Ms Factory Tour. As you tour the facility, be sure to use the 360-degree feature to see all of the different parts. And, it may also be a good idea to have a pack of M&Ms to snack on during your visit. https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/ GtfkemNzG_I?controls=0

The Houston Zoo:

Gorillas, elephants, and rhinos—oh, my! Drop in on several animals and their habits at the Houston Zoo. Whether it is eating, sleeping, or playing, you never know what the animals will be doing when you stop by. https://www.houstonzoo.org/explore/webcams/ As I conducted research for this article, the list of places you can virtually visit is endless. Other sites that may attract visitors are Buckingham Palace, Mount Rushmore, and Ancient Egypt. A quick online search for virtual field trips, along with the sites above, will open the door to the world and many new adventures for children of all ages. Happy field tripping!