Why Animal Rescues Always, Always Need More Foster Homes

We’re full. Every nook and cranny of NWAC dog foster homes is full. It’s not as easy as you might think because looking at our foster volunteer roster, there are open foster homes. As we explained to someone recently, you need a large pool of fosters in order to match with need. Some of our fosters need dogs who are good with cats, some don’t have yards and will foster medical cases but not a dog who needs exercise. Some fosters have yards but are limited by their own physical condition to smaller dogs. The “take-anyone-any-time,” experienced fosters are like gold and usually have a wait list.

Take little Bailey, 14 years old, seemingly in good health. He passed the rescue “intake” exam with ease and was placed with a foster who fosters older dogs. A few weeks in, she noticed Bailey was having trouble seeing. Sure enough, Bailey has diabetes. Then he started coughing; he went back to the vet and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Now, Bailey is considered a permanent foster because we cannot adopt him out with terminal medical conditions. Did his foster sign up for this? Well, she is experienced and knows that what you think you are getting is not always what you get.

Which brings us to Leo. NWAC always meets the animal before accepting it into rescue or we ask a rescue partner to meet the animal first. We were called about a dog with a possible medical condition who might need surgery. When we met Leo, we realized, yes, he definitely will need eye surgery. As we were talking with his owners about what type of foster/forever home Leo would need to be successful, they mentioned he is also deaf. And has seizures — only sometimes but he hasn’t had one for a while. He is a young, strong dog. Active but snappy because he can’t see very well and startles easily.

Leo doesn’t fit with an active, out-and-about foster home with kids. He also doesn’t fit with a sedate, medically oriented, keep-this-dog-quiet-while-they-heal foster home. We told the family we will think about placement and we’re working on it but we don’t really have a good foster spot for Leo. We are reaching out to other rescues but so far they are in the same boat. Leo’s current family has a two-year-old child and just brought a baby home from the NICU. He will not be successful where he is but … now what?

We need foster volunteers like you to help the Leos of the world. If you can help NWAC foster adult cats, kittens, puppies, or dogs like special Leo, apply to become a foster volunteer now!