With overcrowded shelters that lack the resources to properly care for their animals, euthanization is a harsh reality that many animals face. 2.7 million shelter animals are euthanized every year, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. However, fostering pets is an effective way to reduce this number, and is something that multiple members of the CESJDS community participate in, specifically with dogs.
Foster dogs live with their foster families from anywhere between a few weeks to months. Fostering serves as a transitional period between the shelter to a forever home for dogs. To adopt a dog, people will apply to organizations that help connect dogs with potential adopters and foster parents. People can also go to adoption events or visit foster homes.
Two students at JDS who foster dogs are sophomores Dylan Shank and Rebecca Brophy.
According to Brophy, caring for foster dogs is a lot of work, especially when it comes to younger dogs because her family must constantly supervise the dog to avoid any trouble around the house. Shank also stresses the importance of making sure that the house is dog proof, meaning there is nothing dangerous laying around that the dog could eat.
“You also have to be prepared for them to make some messes in your house and destroy some of your things,” Brophy said. “It’s going to take time, and it’s going to take effort.”
When Brophy’s oldest brother was getting his community service hours, he volunteered at adoption events. Volunteering quickly snowballed into taking in dogs to foster them, which his family has been doing for ten years now.
One of Brophy’s foster dog experiences was when a dog struggled with anxiety. The dog would run away and whimper when people came near him, which made it tough to take care of him. But with time and work, he came around and created a bond with Brophy and her family.
“It feels like you’re making a difference,” Brophy said. “You’re helping these animals that otherwise would be struggling, and it’s honestly just fun.”
The Brophys have fostered many pregnant dogs, one memorable experience being Lola. Lola was a very sweet and affectionate mom, but had been neglected in the past. During labor, Lola stood close to Rebecca’s mom, Jane Brohpy. After a while, she noticed the labor was not progressing, and took Lola to the hospital. Lola ended up needing a C-Section, but in the end gave birth to 13 puppies.
“One of the things about fostering that’s so important is not only giving them a place to crash and lay low until they find their forever home,” Jane said. “But it’s often a place for them to rest and recuperate from whatever they’ve been through, and also get used to people loving on them and being kind to them and socialization.”
Fostering serves as a transitional period between the shelter to a forever home for dogs. To adopt a dog, people will apply to organizations that help connect dogs with potential adopters and foster parents. People can also go to adoption events or visit foster homes.
Shank’s family has been fostering dogs for four years, and Shank especially enjoys playing with the energetic dogs he fosters. One of his first dogs was an intimidating looking dog that only Shank’s sister was allowed near. They also took care of a dog named Hannah, who loved to play and socialize according to Shank.
“We don’t see them again,” Shank said. “But at the same time, it’s nice to know that there’s somewhere that they’ll be happy.”
