Needing your advice

[kionini]

I'm contemplating becoming a foster parent for our local shelter which is overcrowded. My husband is worried because he says I will definitely become attached and keep them. How probable is that?
I know that it would be difficult for me let go of at least one or two at the beginning and wonder if I'll end up with 4 or 5 or more fur-babies.
What do you think? I'm torn. I want to help those poor little angels but the bills if I keep them would probably be huge. As it is, my two little ones go to the vet often, especially my boy, since he gets into trouble a lot.

Should I go in knowing in advance that there is a possibility of falling in love and becoming over-protective to the point of thinking that no one can take care of this one, and that one, and that other one... better than me

[ARCHIE]

I think your wonderful for thinking of fostering. Perhaps if you spoke to
other foster/rescue workers they can give you some pointer's that will
help you not to get too attached to those pups. Just think of how
special it is to give love to those that don't have it and then when they
do get their forever home be happy that that love will continue from another,
thus giving you room to bring in another to love.
Rescue/foster homes are special people indeed. Good luck.

[jadabug]

I admire anyone who can be a foster/rescue worker. I can understand your dilemma, I would be the same way. These little babies need so much love and caring I know I would become attached too easily. But on the flip side think of how much joy and fullfilment would come from being able to help these little ones.

[jencar98]

I thought giving them up would be a problem for me also, as you do get attached. But, I look at it this way - as much as I may love a foster dog, until that dog moves on to their new forever home, I can not help another. And, that is why I'm fostering is to help as many rescue yorkies find new forever homes.

One thing I would caution you about getting dogs from shelters is illness. Definitely quarantine any new shelter dog you bring in to your home. You never know what they been vaccinated for or IF they have at all. Also, some illnesses can take several days for symptoms to show up from the time of exposure, so even if a dog appears healthy at first, still quarantine!

[Yorkiedaze]

Originally Posted by jencar98

I thought giving them up would be a problem for me also, as you do get attached. But, I look at it this way - as much as I may love a foster dog, until that dog moves on to their new forever home, I can not help another. And, that is why I'm fostering is to help as many rescue yorkies find new forever homes.

One thing I would caution you about getting dogs from shelters is illness. Definitely quarantine any new shelter dog you bring in to your home. You never know what they been vaccinated for or IF they have at all. Also, some illnesses can take several days for symptoms to show up from the time of exposure, so even if a dog appears healthy at first, still quarantine!

Great advice. You will also need to get your own dogs the bordetella meds.

[TwoforFun]

No comments, but I applaud you for taking initiatives.

[kionini]

for helping me with this decision and giving me great advice. I'll keep it in mind

[livingdustmops]

Originally Posted by jencar98

I thought giving them up would be a problem for me also, as you do get attached. But, I look at it this way - as much as I may love a foster dog, until that dog moves on to their new forever home, I can not help another. And, that is why I'm fostering is to help as many rescue yorkies find new forever homes.

One thing I would caution you about getting dogs from shelters is illness. Definitely quarantine any new shelter dog you bring in to your home. You never know what they been vaccinated for or IF they have at all. Also, some illnesses can take several days for symptoms to show up from the time of exposure, so even if a dog appears healthy at first, still quarantine!

Great post...It is a little tough and you do feel a little sad for yourself but you are so happy for the little one that now has its own home...

I agree I kept the shelter dogs away from my dogs for 10 days and they saw a vet immediately...

[Patti]

I fostered a pom puppy for the shelter I volunteer at in December. She was from a Puppy mill auction. I thought I would have no problem giving her to her foster family but it was hard, but she went to my husband's boss so that helped. I had Angel for a month and I was so sad when she left but a little relieved too. It was a very rewarding experience. If you can just keep telling yourself you are just their temporary home until the perfect forever home is found it helps. I probably won't be doing it again because I just took in a 13 year old male yorkie from an elderly lady I know that had a stroke and with my own 3 I am at my limit.
Like Livingdustmops said quarantine any one's you take in. Angel tested negative for giardia when they got her in but within a week had symptoms and retested positive. I had not quarantined her but was lucky none of mine came down with it. I really admire people who rescue all the time. This was my only experience with rescue. The other thing that I experienced was my dogs were not happy about it but after 3 weeks they all started to accept her.

[kionini]

which is one less suffering, innocent fur-baby out there. Seeing those sad eyes and hurt little bodies tears me apart inside.
The quarantine...is it put him/her in a different room, no contact with my little ones, not even a nose greeting?
Should I put him/her in a crate. What happens when he/she sees my little ones roaming freely and playing? Won't that make him/her feel unwanted? That would be tough for me. I have to figure out how to do it without hurting the little angel even more

[addevo]

We do animal transports and when a puppy got sick during the trip, we ended up fostering him for about a month until he recovered. So we became "accidental" foster parents.

Yes, we became VERY attached to him. Nursing him back from a serious illness was a real bonding experience. It was terrifying at first, but once he turned the corner on the illness, for the last three weeks we got to enjoy a sweet, goofy little guy, and got all the puppy kisses we could ever want. (photo attached) But the best things about him were:

a) He was a lab mix, destined to be about 50 lbs
b) He was a puppy

Both of which ruled him out for a permanent place in our house. We have 3 small, adult dogs, and though they were able to deal with him as a puppy, he would have been a horrible match for them once he reaches adult size. Plus, it was winter time, which is a tough time to go through the housebreaking stuff.

So here is what I'd recommend. Go ahead and sign up to foster, but try to work it so that you only foster your least favorite breeds. It will be one of the most rewarding things you'll ever do, but it will be much easier to say goodbye when they have been matched up with their new home.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by kionini

which is one less suffering, innocent fur-baby out there. Seeing those sad eyes and hurt little bodies tears me apart inside.
The quarantine...is it put him/her in a different room, no contact with my little ones, not even a nose greeting?
Should I put him/her in a crate. What happens when he/she sees my little ones roaming freely and playing? Won't that make him/her feel unwanted? That would be tough for me. I have to figure out how to do it without hurting the little angel even more

A quarantine in a home is much better than being in a shelter! If you look at it that way, you will not feel as bad.

I always put them in an x-pen in a room by themselves, or in one of my bathrooms....and NO...no nose greetings! If there is any illness it can be easily passed that way.

Yes, you will get attached, but when they find their forever home it is such a good feeling! I get lots of email and pictures from my former fosters' parents and it is such a great feeling! It is heartwrenching, but oh, so rewarding!

[143julz]

Oh how i so can relate......I have (for the past few yrs) been pondering becoming a foster parent. We have no kids, one fur-butt, and much love for many, and BIG OPEN ARMS....I know I would be just heartbroken, sick over them leaving....
I know as many have said to me (and it's posted here too) it's so rewarding when they go to their forever home.......I think about that alot too......My heart is filled with alot of the, would of's, could of's, should of's, that it's best FOR ME not to at this point, i have a weak heart when letting something go that YOU played a role in nursing back to life...

Good luck to you in your decision process, its hard

[kionini]

Originally Posted by 143julz

Oh how i so can relate......I have (for the past few yrs) been pondering becoming a foster parent. We have no kids, one fur-butt, and much love for many, and BIG OPEN ARMS....I know I would be just heartbroken, sick over them leaving....
I know as many have said to me (and it's posted here too) it's so rewarding when they go to their forever home.......I think about that alot too......My heart is filled with alot of the, would of's, could of's, should of's, that it's best FOR ME not to at this point, i have a weak heart when letting something go that YOU played a role in nursing back to life...

Good luck to you in your decision process, its hard

since I'm a cry-baby. I know exactly what you're going through. It's not easy having your heart going one way and your mind going the other while both want desperately to help those babies.

I would probably ask more questions of the forever home candidates, than the rescue house. And knowing me, no one would be good enough. Letting go...this is really tough for me.

I have been pondering the idea too (in secret from those around me) for months now. The YT members here are helping me see things from another perspective, which in essence is; convince my heart to follow the good sense of keeping my heart in check and see the big picture so that I may be able to really help them. But as you know, it's still hard.

I have no human children either, so my heart is fertile soil for these babies. I feel them very deeply.
Hopefully, I'll be able to follow my fellow YT member's advice and I'll be further along with MY weak-heart soon, so that I may be able to help.

Good luck to you as well. I know how hard it is (there's a feeling of guilt there as well, on top of it all, for not having the strength).

[kionini]

I sent in my application and I'm on a 'waiting list.' I inquired about 3 fur-babies. A little girl, so beautiful, but the foster mom decided to keep her (her 5th)! And a couple (boy, girl) who rescuers preferred to be taken in together. Each other is all they have and know
They are about 4 years old and don't really know humans. The owner had taken them as pups but put left them down in the basement to live all this time. They are terrified of people and the rescuer said to wait to see if they warm up to humans. So sad.
My home wouldn't be good for them at the moment, because my little ones are young and their jumping and playing, etc. would scare the poor babies even more.