Why Fostering is Crucial to Save Lives.

WRITTEN BY: JULIE MURRAY, STAFF WRITER

Covid-19 has changed many things about our lives. We haven’t been able to gather with friends at our favorite restaurant, take in a matinee on a Sunday afternoon or listen to a concert in the park for 6 months. Another activity that I’m definitely missing is being able to volunteer at my local animal shelter. I’ve had to get more creative in the ways that I help in the rescue community. Thankfully, social distancing does not apply to dogs and cats (can you imagine if it did?), so this may be a good time for you to consider fostering an animal in need.

Fostering a cat or dog from your local shelter or rescue is a great thing to do for many reasons; lots of us are still working from home and have the time to dedicate to feeding neonatal kittens or going on a long walk with an energetic pup. Just think how much better that 2 hour Zoom marketing meeting would be with a snoozing dog in your lap! Animals also provide much needed companionship if you are quarantining solo, like me. I don’t know what I would do without Zelda, especially in the early stages of the pandemic.

Another advantage of fostering is that it costs zero dollars! This is especially important right now, as many people find themselves out of work or not making as much money due to reduced hours. A reputable rescue organization will provide absolutely everything you need to care for your foster dog or cat; food, puppy pads, litter and flea/ heartworm preventive are all included. All you have to do is provide love and a safe, warm place to live.

There are several different types of foster experiences to choose from as well. There are people who take in a litter of kittens and feed and care for them until they are old enough for adoption. Others may decide to foster a dog who was just pulled from an animal shelter and give him a quiet place to stay until he finds his forever home. There are also fosters who have been injured or had surgery and need somewhere to recuperate, away from the shelter. My last foster dog was surrendered to a local shelter by her owner after she was hit by a car and the owner could not afford her medical bills. She was unable to walk when I first got her and needed pain meds and special food since it was difficult to get her to eat. After a few weeks of resting and healing, I came home one day and she WALKED to the door to greet me! Seeing her become healthy and playful over the weeks was one of the best feelings I’ve ever experienced.

One of the toughest types of fostering is the hospice fosters. This is when you open your home to an animal who doesn’t have much time left due to things like age, a terminal illness or a birth defect. When you foster a hospice case, the animal is able to live out its remaining days in a loving home, in comfort and in peace until they cross the rainbow bridge. I’ve done this a couple of times as well and it is extremely tough….but also very rewarding. Knowing that your foster dog or cat didn’t have to pass away scared and alone is a kind of salve to the heartbreak.

We are lucky to live in the Lowcountry for many reasons, one of them being the fact that there are many wonderful organizations that would be happy to have you sign up as a foster. I’ve done my fostering through Pet Helpers and Eunoia Rescue (founded by our very own Alicia Williams!) and had great experiences with both. This publication is a great resource to find out about different rescues in your area. Usually, if you go to the organization’s website, they have a section about fostering and you can read more about their specific requirements and even fill out a foster application.

If you have been thinking about fostering, now is a great time to go for it. I can’t say enough about how great the experience is - it will fill you with happy thoughts and all the good feelz. Full disclosure: I’m actually a failure at it...only because I have ended up adopting almost every single foster dog I’ve ever taken into my home. Oops. ■