| Animal Outreach is very blessed
with a strong network of foster
families who open their hearts
and homes to our animals as they
await adoption. We believe that
fostering makes an incredible difference
in getting to know the
personality of a pet and how it
likely will acclimate to home life.
But this requires a lot of volunteers,
a lot of commitment and
fostering is not an easy job.
Being a foster parent is a major commitment. Most would say that providing the basics of food, water and a warm bed is the easiest part of the job. They also accept the responsibility of chauffeuring animals to the veterinarian for spay/neuter surgery and other medical attention and then lovingly provide care during recovery. Some of our animals require long-term care which can mean a disruption in the household. And while some pets - like kittens - find homes quickly, there are more that are hard to adopt because of age or special needs. Not only that, foster families load up their foster pets each week to meet Animal Outreach adoption counselors at adoption events ? and sometimes run adoption events themselves! But they find the time because they have a commitment and the drive to make a difference. And as the scenario comes full circle, letting go of a foster pet isn't easy either. When the day comes, thankfully, that a foster pet becomes a part of their own, permanent family, foster families lose a part of their own. But they do so knowing that another homeless animal may need their help and a temporary place to call home. The rewards of fostering are great. The connection to a great cause ? another life saved ? another family made whole through adoption. For information on becoming a foster or emergency foster provider, contact Cindy Tabert, Foster Program Manager at 815-385-0005 or e-mail us a note at info@animaloutreachsociety.org |