Chrissy, 10, is considered a medical foster because she has diabetes. But her treatment boils down to giving her two injections a day, and she is very cooperative. Jan 24, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Adopt A Dog, located just over the town line in Armonk, has is now offering pet lovers a chance to foster a dog.
The new program is a win-win-win, given that foster families get a chance to see what it’s like to take care of a dog if they haven’t before. Fostering a dog also frees up space in the shelter for another dog to be rescued. And, lastly it’s a chance for a family to experience a dog of a different breed or temperament.
Maybe they never thought about a big dog, or vice versa. Maybe they never thought about a Beagle or a Lab. How many times have you heard someone say, “I’m a big dog person”?
According to Adopt-A-Dog’s adoption coordinator Kelly Duggan, the shelter has had people foster their dogs, but in the past they were mainly volunteers or staff.
Bu formalizing the foster program, they hope to add families to their roster of fosters. Right now, the shelter at capacity with 40 dogs, but if some go to foster homes, it will free up room to rescue more dogs.
“A lot of times you get people on the fence about owning a dog,” Duggan said, adding that another benefit to Adopt-A-Dog of having a roster of foster families is that they get a better picture of the dog.
Three dogs who would make ideal candidates to be fostered include Gabby who was originally rescued from the streets in China with a litter of puppies. Her previous owners adopted her and brought her to the US. Gabby is 12, but she has plenty of energy and is super sweet.
Chrissy, a 10-year-old Beagle, is considered a medical foster because she has Diabetes. She needs two injections a day, but they don’t hurt and she is very cooperative. We love Chrissy. She’s super sweet and affectionate. She also loves her toys and, according to Duggan, could play with them all day long.
“Chrissy is very easy to please. She’s house trained and crate trained,” Duggan said, adding that Chrissy can get along with another senior dog and a cat.
Johnny Bravo, 5, is a gorgeous Lab-Great Dane Mix. His handsome self has been the dedicated Adopt-A-Dog events volunteer, meaning he is unflappable and gets along with kids of all ages and is good in a variety of situations. Originally, Johnny Bravo was thrown from a car and wound up in a West Virginia shelter, who reached out to Adopt-A-Dog because he was just so special. He’d make a great candidate for trips to Tod’s Point where he’d get along with all the other beach dogs!
If you are interested in becoming a foster for a dog from Adopt-A-Dog, go to the website and look at the FAQs and application (under the “What We Do” tab). Or reach out to Duggan at Adoptions@adoptadog.org.
Here is some information from the Foster section on Adopt A Dog’s website under Foster:
The first step to becoming a foster home is to fill out our foster application online. Once you have filled out the foster application, our Adoptions Coordinator will contact you regarding the next upcoming foster orientation. All potential foster families are required to attend our foster orientation to fully learn what fostering entails and what our expectations are of fosters (and vice versa). After your orientation, you will be contacted with a list of dogs that are in need of a foster home and who could be a good fit for your family.
What kind of animals are typically in need of a foster?
Puppies/Kittens: Our smallest friends are often the most in need of a loving foster home while they grow. We do not like to house puppies and kittens in the shelter as it is a stressful environment and we want them to grow and flourish. A foster home allows them to get the socialization and care they need in a more personal environment. A foster home is essential to teach the little ones some vital lessons so their new adopted families will have a great head start!
Adult dogs: Some of our adult dogs do not shelter well and are looking for a safe space to decompress while they wait for their forever home. Away from a stressful environment, these dogs are able to gain valuable real-life experiences with their foster and most importantly, experience the love and security of a home which is invaluable.
Senior dogs/Special Needs: If we had our way these dogs would never have to experience a shelter environment but sadly in many cases it cannot be avoided. Providing a loving foster home to a grey haired senior has to be one of the best experiences a foster can ask for. Our senior dogs are just itching to get started on a new chapter in their life. Dogs with special needs come in all shapes, sizes, and breeds. For example due to very limited space most of the time we are unable to accommodate dogs with limited mobility so a foster home can provide an amazing safe space for these types of dogs.
Super sweet Gabby, who was originally rescued from the streets of China, would be a great dog to foster. Jan 24, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Meet Johnny Bravo, a Lab Great Dane Mix who is so amiable, he has been the designated boy to travel to events.he gets along with kids of all ages and all dogs! Jan 24, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Johnny Bravo is a tall boy. That’s because he’s likely half Great Dane and half Lab. He is an amiable boy who gets along with all kids and dogs! Jan 24, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Super sweet Gabby, who was originally rescued from the streets of China, would be a great dog to foster. Jan 24, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager