Elsa
My first foster was a family whose house flooded and they were displaced and were getting rid of all their animals. I felt bad for their son who was going to lose his pony, so I said I would foster the pony till they returned home and could take the pony back.
Years later, the Director of the Humane Society of Mason Couty (HSMC) asked if my daughter would be interested in fostering some kittens. We have been fostering through HSMC for close to 3 years. Over the years, we have fostered a mini horse, kittens, bottle babies, premie puppies, partially blind kittens, spicy kittens, shy kittens, a shut down pup, a pup that was unsocialized and afraid of people, puppies, a territorial pup, a bunny, and extremely sick failure to thrive kittens.
Premie puppies
When I first got started, I knew I would get attached. I find that’s the case with some more so than others. But I would say all our fosters seemed to quickly become part of the family and fit so well in our crazy household. I was surprised how amazing our lab has been with every foster. She has been a huge part of the success of several of our more difficult fosters.
There have been a few fosters that were tough to see leave. You hope that they go to the perfect home. Also, it’s difficult to see these amazing animals being treated poorly; I get frustrated with people for dumping dogs. Another thing that is hard is hoping your fosters don’t think they are being rejected from you and passed off to another home. I always wish I could explain that we are a stepping stone to their forever home. Another thing that is rough is having a foster pass. I have stayed up endless hours feeding and trying to save extremely sick kittens and then having one die. It is devastating second guessing yourself, wondering what could have been done better or differently.
As for some of my favorite moments fostering, I love seeing the animals blossom and open up and trust again. I have contact with several people who adopted our fosters, and it is great to see them thriving. Or get to have them come back and visit and remember us.
Michele’s daughter Cassie bottle feeding a kitten
One of my favorite fosters that to this day I cry over, her name was Elsa. Elsa is a Black English lab pup that was part of breeder who fell ill situation and was unable to care for any of the dogs. Several rescues were involved and about 5 or 6 of the dogs came to HSMC. I went to pick up Elsa the day after she arrived from the director’s home. Elsa was completely shut down. She would not move. She would blankly stare. So I carried her to my car and brought her home. When I got her home, I carried her to my front yard and had my daughter let our dogs outside to see if Elsa would react. Nothing. She was frozen solid. I had to carry her everywhere. Elsa would not move even for food. So for a few days I stayed right with Elsa. She was loved on, taken everywhere. It took over 24 hours before she pottied or moved on her own. Elsa slowly started to open up and relax and trust us. I was able to train her to walk on a leash, basic commands, potty trained her. She went everywhere with me, and everywhere we went people fell in love with her.
Before she was ready for adoption, she had so many amazing applications. Then my daughter had her birthday party and Elsa was outside with all the kids, and several of the moms were taking pictures of her and sending to friends and families they knew. Then one of my daughter’s friend’s mom told me her friends were very interested in meeting Elsa. So I arranged for them to meet her at my home with their 2 little daughters. Elsa was drawn to their youngest daughter. She kept close tabs on the girl who was about a year old. Elsa would go see the people but return to me to make sure it was ok. When I watched Elsa with their youngest, I thought how amazing it would be for this baby and pup to grow up together. So I let the HSMC know that this was the family for Elsa. Later that week Elsa was scheduled to get fixed, and typically I picked up fosters and brought them home to recoup, then their families would pick up. Well, I got a message saying that they thought it was best for me to let the family pick up Elsa because they knew how attached I was to her and she to me. When I took her in, Elsa didn’t want to leave me. I was in tears. I checked on her progress through the day, which that day things ran long so poor Elsa didn’t get to go to her new home till late that night. Thankfully the adopter kept in touch, and we’ve gotten to watch her once when they were out of town.
She was definitely the one that I second guess not foster failing on, but I look at pictures of her and her 2 human kids, and her and the youngest definitely have a very special bond that I know is meant to be. Within the week HSMC reached out and asked how I was doing and asked if I could take Elsa’s cousin who needed to socialize. She was terrified of everything. When we got Elsa, her fear caused her to shut down. Well for Libby, because of her fear, she would bolt and hide. Both just needed to be loved and learn to trust.
Libby
I recommend anyone looking to get a pet to foster first. This way they can make sure they are ready as well as help an animal and possibly find their forever pet. My advice for potential fosters? It can be extremely emotional, good and bad. Share your journey with each foster. You never know the impact. I have many friends who have fostered then adopted their foster. Several friends have adopted my fosters. I have quite a few friends who now foster or foster sit. So share; it may inspire someone to do the same, and there is such a big need. Also know your limits. I have a rule; no more than 1 dog. No more than 3 kittens. No more than 2 bottle babies. I also look at my schedule before I take a foster to see if the timing works. Sometimes I only have 2 weeks so I know I need a kitten or dog that is ready for adoption now, not a bottle baby. Another thing, if you have kids this is a great experience for children. My daughter has learned so much.
Michele is a foster with the Humane Society of Mason County (Washington), an organization that relies on fosters to provide care, as they do not have a shelter environment. If you’re interested in fostering with HSMC, please reach out to them. Learn More
All images in this story are provided by the foster.
This story is part of a larger project The Highs & Lows of Fostering Animals where fosters share their stories in their own words.
