Testimonials: Life Inside a Foster Home

The following testimonials were provided by Rover Rescue foster homes that have been happily fostering dogs and puppies from six months to more than six years:

“It has been a rewarding experience taking all these great dogs out of shelters where they had no chance, and pairing them with equally great folks who will take wonderful care of them. The best part for me is the fact that I have made a few terrific friends of some of the folks that adopted dogs from me. I get e-mails and pictures of some of the dogs years later and I love that they keep in touch. The really hard part of fostering is the fact that it is very difficult to let some of these dogs go, especially the more difficult ones that you spend a lot of time with. You just have to tell yourself that they are getting a good home, and that will make space in yours for another that needs out as well. It takes time and patience to be a foster, but the rewards far outweigh the challenges. We are all here to make a difference in the world and the dogs, I believe, are forever grateful.”

“You can get attached to them but then you just have to realize that if you keep them all, there is no way you can continue to place the homeless dogs that desperately need our help.”

“It has been a really wonderful experience for me and my family. We really love all the different personalities and learning about the different breeds as we get different dogs. The kids love teaching each dog to “sit” and “stay”. It is not all fun and games, though. There is the work of keeping a dog – and a new dog needs baths, pictures and time on the phone telling folks about him. And dogs can be shy, scared and sometimes not housebroken so each dog you start all over again. But the feeling you get when a family thanks you for helping them get “that special dog” while knowing you saved a life is indescribable. Fostering can be a wonderful experience and Rover Rescue has been a great organization to work with. I highly recommend it.”

Is fostering what you thought it would be? Why or why not?

“Yes, I believe it is what I thought it would be, though I did not think I would be taking so many animals and finding homes for them. To date I have adopted out roughly 41 and that makes me feel pretty good!”

“Wasn’t sure what it was going to be like, but has become a way of life.”

“Yes, it’s very enjoyable. I love seeing a dog get adopted by its forever home and knowing that I saved a life and can now save another life by taking my next foster.”

“Yes it is about what I thought it would be. I did not expect to fall in love with so many of the dogs though.”

What do you love about it?

“Finding a good home for them and seeing how excited the adopting family is, and of course hearing feedback from them.”

“Knowing that these dogs were saved and sending them off to a great home where they are loved, and getting their much deserved second chance. It makes you feel good about yourself that you are making a positive difference in this sometimes cruel world.”

“I love it when the new dog gets settled in and starts playing with my dogs. My favorite part is watching them discover the toy box and sorting through the assortment of toys and bones and picking a favorite dog toy! Then they take the toy with them to their new home when adopted.”

“I love helping the dogs find their forever homes. I love seeing all the different kinds of dogs. It is interesting trying to guess what breeds might be in some of the mixes!”

“I love saving these little and big homeless kids and giving them a chance at a good life.”

What do you struggle with?

“Actually not much, sometimes just the housebreaking but for the most part the dogs are very good and get along with my cats and my other dogs.”

“Sometimes you get very attached and it’s hard to let them go. There’s lots of work involved, wear and tear on the house and yard. It’s definitely not a job for sissies!”

“I struggle with the ones that get very attached to me and find it hard to hand them over to someone new. But then I tell myself that once they get to their new home, everything will be fine and they will find a new person to get attached to.”

“My husband and I do not always agree on what the limit should be on the number of dogs. I want to rescue everyone; he wants to keep his sanity.”

“Sometimes it is very hard to let one go.”

How has fostering affected your life and/or the lives of your family members?

“I think we are more in tune to the needs of animals and now that my husband is retired and home, he gets great enjoyment from all the dogs and they do seem to love him right back.”

“It has taught my daughter responsibility and due to the high number we take in, we don’t have a whole lot of freedom but it is totally worth it.”

“It makes me feel good being able to save a life. The boyfriend doesn’t always enjoy it when the foster has an accident in the house and will complain, but I know he really enjoys having another dog in the house, even if he won’t admit it.”

“It is more hectic to get out of the house – everyone has to get a dog and put it in its crate. It has also given them a lot more responsibility, but they love it when we get a new dog to foster.”

“It has affected my life. Sometimes my husband is not too happy about all the dogs only because he works nights and sleeps during the day when I am at work, but he has really been a good sport. Sometimes it strains my time with my own dogs, and they get jealous. But I saved them and they will just have to be happy.”

If someone was considering becoming a foster home, what advice would you give them?

“It can be time consuming at times. You do need to do the medical aspect of it most of the time including making appointments at the vet, driving to the vet and any follow-up that is needed.”

“Try it!!! If you don’t like it, quit.”

“It is a great experience, and it makes such a difference in the lives of the foster dogs that might not get a second chance at life, if not for YOU.”

“I would tell them it is an emotional and physical struggle at times, but it is worth it.”