A call for foster families
As you are probably aware, out of the hundreds of animals we rescue each year, there are some who arrive with special health conditions and others who struggle to thrive in the shelter environment.
At Pets In Need, we strive to move rescued animals as quickly as possible into their forever homes. The average length of stay for animals that we have rescued this fiscal year is only twenty-three days.
But for some animals, extra time and personal attention is needed. Because we are unable to provide this special care at the shelter, we look to our network of foster families to help us provide structured support, extra TLC, a calm environment, and, if necessary, extensive training with the help of a professional trainer.
As the end of the year approaches, we are looking for foster families for five of our long-term residents: Arlie, Daisy, Dustie & Calvin and Petra. Each animal has unique needs, but one thing they all have in common is that they are looking for a special family to call their own.
If you, or someone you know, is interested in learning more about these dogs, please fill out a foster profile and email it to our Foster Coordinator, Amanda Hardee, at ahardee@petsinneed.org! Find the foster profile here.
The basic requirements for a structured foster family are:
- an understanding that it will take time and work to help these dogs on their individual journeys toward recovery
- a readiness to be coached while working through the dog’s customized training plan
- a willingness to make small adjustments to the home environment to help the dog succeed
- a securely fenced backyard (if you have a yard)
- little or no travel planned for 3-6 months
- a passion for helping special needs animals.
During this structured foster commitment, PIN will cover the dog’s food and medical expenses. PIN will also be able to provide boarding for the dog if the family has travel plans.
If you are interested in committing yourself to a labor of love – but not a lifetime commitment! – please contact us and ask about our foster program.
Arlie, 2 years old, 39 lbs.:
Arlie is fun-loving gal with high levels of energy, but with even higher levels of affection. Her perfect foster family is active and spends much of their week outdoors. Arlie’s favorite activities include long hikes, rough-and-tumble play with dogs her size, and cuddles at the end of a busy day. She is very smart and food-motivated, making her a joy to train.
Why Arlie is a candidate for structured foster:
- she needs help working through her fear issues
- she needs both more exercise and more quiet time than she can get in the shelter
Arlie’s ideal foster family:
- has experience caring for large dogs and can handle an active dog
- has no cats or children under the age of 12
- is able to participate in playdates
Daisy, 1 year old, 41 lbs.:
Ever since Daisy arrived, she has been impressing us with her athletic abilities and energy. She can chase tennis balls for hours and has the stamina of Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and Klay Thompson combined. Daisy is very motivated to learn. She masters skills with ease and is quick to move on to the next one. In fact, she much prefers to practice her skills over showing affection.
Why Daisy is a candidate for structured foster:
- she needs help in improving her manners and social behavior
- she needs both more exercise and more quiet time than she can get in the shelter
Daisy's ideal foster family:
- has experience caring for large dogs and can handle an active dog
- has no cats or children under the age of 12
- will implement a training plan with the help of Pets In Need
Dustie, 1 year old, 12 lbs. & Calvin 2 years old, 10 lbs.:
We are looking for a foster home who can welcome this pair of cuties. Of the two, Dustie is the main candidate for foster because he is fearful of humans. Dustie behaves very well with other dogs, and we know he can learn to be friendly with humans after receiving the right care and love from them. Calvin is one of Dustie's best buddies and is an all-around great dog. He is sweet and affectionate towards dogs and people alike. He'll help Dustie come out of his shell and adjust to a new environment. Plus, Calvin is very deserving of a break from shelter life. A major benefit of welcoming both Dustie and Calvin into your home is that they will keep each other entertained! (You'll be entertained, too, because their play antics are adorable.)
Why Dustie & Calvin are candidates for structured foster:
- Dustie needs a calm environment to help him overcome his fear
- Calvin will benefit from some time outside of the shelter and will be a source of comfort and confidence to Dustie
Dustie & Calvin's ideal foster family:
- either has a dog that gets along very well with other dogs, or has no dogs at all
- Includes kids who are responsible and gentle towards dogs, but has no young children
Petra, 8 years old, 15 lbs.:
As a gentle, older, and less active dog, Petra would find nothing more satisfying than curling up on the couch with you. Some of her other favorite things include treats and checking on what the humans are up to. When on walks, she is unfazed by passersby and moving cars, which is actually rare for a shelter dog. Petra is a highly adoptable sweetheart who simply needs a vacation from the shelter.
Why Petra is a candidate for structured foster:
- she needs close monitoring of her skin allergies
Petra's ideal foster family:
- has no other dogs
- Includes kids who are responsible and gentle towards dogs, but has no young children