Finding and Rescuing Dogs and Cats

Helping to Foster Dogs and Cats from Rescue Groups

Say you're walking down the street and a stray dog starts following you. He's so cute but he's dirty and limping. I wish I could help him but I just don't know where to start.

It's your lucky day. First thing's first, you should already know some of the rescue groups as well as the Humane Society, ASPCA or pound in your area. Look online, offline, pay attention to commercials, your vet and word of mouth. When you start finding the groups in your area, you

should also get familiar with who rescues what. Some may not rescue cats, there may be one or two that rescue horses, some may only rescue a certain breed of dog.

Call your Humane Society and offer to foster. To foster, all you have to have is a fenced or walled in yard and the love to give. It costs you nothing. If you decide to foster from the Humane Society, they may let you choose a dog or cat to foster. Usually they'll want you to take one that is a little shy or just isn't coming out of its shell in the kennel. The Humane Society will provide pillows, blankets, a kennel, food and water dishes, a litter box and litter if necessary, food and most importantly any and all medical care the animal needs. Take your new pet home and just give it some love. You may be asked to bring the pet to some adoption events where it can get seen and adopted. If the dog or cat starts to be a little too much, just more than you counted on, or if you have to leave town for some reason, the Humane Society will take the animal back, no questions asked. If you want to wait to foster again, just tell them that. If you're ready for a new or different animal, just tell them that too!

Get to know some local rescue groups. Get to know what animals and breeds they rescue. If you're a big fan of Great Danes, I bet there's a Great Dane rescue in your area that would love for you to foster a Dane or two for a little white. If you just love Pomeranians to death, I bet you

can find a Pomeranian or small breed dog rescue. The rescue groups work the same as the Humane Society except you will find many that don't have shelters and only use foster homes to house the dogs that come into their care. You will still get everything you need for the dogs or cats that you're taking in as well as veterinary care and you still have the option of taking the animal back at any time.

So back to that adorable stray that's following you down the street who's limping and dirty and looking so sad... Call one of your new rescue friends and talk to them about it. Depending on their finances at the time they may tell you to take him to the vet, and that they'll take care of it. After that vet appointment you'll want to foster him until he gets better enough to get adopted. All it costs if love and nurturing. Can you afford that to save a life that can't save it self?