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Every year an estimated 7.6 million animals enter America’s shelters. Of those, approximately 3.3 million are dogs. Therefore, fostering dogs is important, because it helps to reduce the overcrowding in America’s shelters.
In addition, fostering dogs opens up spaces for other dogs to be saved. The dogs in foster care get a chance to work through fears or recover from trauma. Plus, their personalities can really begin to shine when they have a chance to live in a home.
Right now, there is an urgent need for fostering dogs as our country battles a pandemic. And it depends on who you ask as to who is rescuing who.
The Urgent Need For Fostering Dogs
As social distancing, quarantine, and shelter-in-place rules continue, American shelters are in crisis and need relief. On the other hand, Americans in these situations are in desperate need of companionship.
Dogs are known to help improve the mental health of humans. So, during this pandemic where people are more isolated, mental health declining is a concern.
Scientific studies have examined the role of companion animals in the management of mental health conditions. In addition, proving that pets provide a consistent and proximate source of calming support and companionship.
But even if mental health is not an issue, dogs provide invaluable comfort and companionship. They do so, especially during times of crisis. A global pandemic is definitely a crisis.
These companion animals are only going to help make us healthier. They’re going to remove anxiety and cortisol (the stress hormone) from our bodies, and it will allow us to have stronger immune systems, quite frankly, to fight the pandemic.
Robin Ganzert, Ph.D, president and CEO of American Humane
She explains that shelters are overwhelmed with not being able to hold their normal adoption events. Ganzert says animal shelters are swamped even in the very best of times.
But the problems of overrun shelters and lonely people can solve each other, she says.
What we’re doing at American Humane is a call to action to individuals who are self-isolating and are feeling very much alone in these dismal times. We’re encouraging them to fight the anxiety and depression by bringing home a foster friend.
Robin Ganzert, Ph.D, president and CEO of American Humane
Therefore, when people step into fostering dogs, it alleviates overcrowding in shelters. Not to mention, dogs are getting a chance at life outside of a kennel.
But, here is the coolest part, dogs are becoming emotional first responders to the people helping out. According to Amarillo Panhandle Humane Society (APHS) there has been an increase in new fosters.
APHS in Texas Weighs In
I think people are fostering due to COVID-19, because they are home and it is more convenient. I hope they stick around after this is over.
Cynthia Clark, APHS Rescue Coordinator
APHS is a nonprofit that operates within the Animal Management and Welfare, which is the city shelter. According to Clark, this is not the norm for most nonprofits or humane societies.
AMW handles all intake, adoptions, reclaims and euthanasia. Yes, you read that right. Many shelters across the state of Texas are “kill” shelters.
Clark and her team at APHS specifically work with rescues across the country. Therefore, they are able to facilitate a larger number of dogs at a time leaving the shelter. She says that being in a kill shelter, getting a dog out and into a foster is what is best for them. Plus it opens up a space for another dog.
Our mission is to help network animals from the shelter to no kill partners. Our biggest pulling partners are in Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska, although we have many partners in other states.
Cynthia Clark, APHS Rescue Coordinator
She says that during this pandemic, people can still help even if they don’t foster.
Other ways to help are to donate supplies or money, volunteer time, and share things on social media to encourage others to help.
Cynthia Clark, APHS Rescue Coordinator
The Benefits of Fostering Dogs
Fostering is bringing home a homeless dog to nurture until they dispatch to their forever family. It’s a crucial part of the dog rescue world. Furthermore, it’s rewarding for the person, as much as it is for the dog.
Randi Lunsford, a special education teacher from Amarillo, Texas is fostering three dogs during this pandemic. However, having one to three extras in addition to her own two is not out of the ordinary.
Lunsford has fostered 40 dogs since October 2019 through APHS and has had several she wanted to keep. Think about that for just a second…40 dogs over a 6-month span. She says they never stay long. Regardless, she’s a hero!
But let’s do the math. If I had kept even two of them, I wouldn’t have been able to foster anyone else. And, there is a good chance 38 dogs would have been euthanized.
Randi Lunsford, APHS Foster
The love of animals and giving them a safe place to feel love is the main reason Lunsford fosters. In addition, she says she gets more snuggles.
Currently Pippa, Mary Kate and Ashley are the lucky girls under Lunsford’s care. She says that the number of dogs she has at any one time is driven by the need to get animals into rescue and out of the shelters.
Some rescues won’t tag until they know a foster home is in place. And, animals that are tagged aren’t necessarily safe from being put down should the shelter become overcrowded.
Randi Lunsford, APHS Foster
In addition, rescues get a lot of good information about the true personality of a dog. Dogs aren’t able to show their personality when they are trying to survive in a chaotic shelter.
Lunsford encourages anyone thinking about fostering dogs to just go for it! She says it doesn’t have to cost you anything. She added that the Humane Society supplies food, a crate, and vet care.
I won’t lie-it can be chaotic, especially when you are first introducing the new pet to any pets you may already have, but…it’s so rewarding. You are taking in this pure soul and showing them that even though some humans hurt them, or let them down…..that’s not all of us. And most of them naturally want to believe that.
Randi Lunsford, APHS Foster
Most importantly, Lunsford added, you get to keep being a part of something wonderful. She added that by fostering now during this pandemic, you will most definitely be saving a life.
In Conclusion
So, remember fostering dogs during this pandemic not only helps save a life, but also benefits the people. Elderly people missing visits from family might find a furry companion comforting. However, really anyone struggling with stress or social isolation or loneliness can benefit from furry companionship.
Maybe the option of fostering is not for you. So, instead you can check with your local shelter or rescue to see what other support they need.
Are you fostering dogs or a dog right now during this pandemic? Are you helping out your local shelter in some way? We truly want to hear about it! Tell us all about it in the comments below.
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