Foster Program Brings Compassion To Unwanted Pets

They might pee on your carpet and dig holes in your yard, but at the end of the day it’s all worth it, says Terri Thompson, a foster rescue coordinator for Animal Friends of the Valleys/Southwest Communities Animal Shelter in Wildomar.

For three and a half years, Thompson has been working to place dogs and cats into foster homes around the county. The goal of fostering is to get unwanted pets into safe, nurturing homes while they await permanent adoption.

“Fostering a dog or cat is a rewarding experience that makes you feel good for helping to get that animal a forever home,” Thompson said.

Every Saturday, Thompson and her volunteers transport dogs and cats to Petco locations in Lake Elsinore and Temecula, as well as the Dog Park Café in Temecula, to bring awareness to the public about the fostering program and to adopt out animals. Currently, there are nearly 75 foster families and 100 animals involved in the program, she said.

Fostering is not an easy job.

“You can expect the dog to pee on your carpet, possibly dig, bark or jump up. You can’t expect that you will get a perfectly behaved dog. This is hard work that results in a forever home for the dog. It is rewarding and sad at the same time and can cause compassion fatigue,” said Lorie Natzic, who has been a program volunteer for two years.

Despite the pitfalls, Natzic says she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“After all the hard work, you can see such a difference. I enjoy seeing them get a new home.”

While in the foster program, dogs and cats have an opportunity to be part of a family, receive love and companionship, and training. The animals are evaluated by foster parents, and information is compiled about a pet’s characteristics: plays well with others, good with children, food aggression issues, shyness, etc. The data is helpful in placing the animal with the right permanent family.

“What I love about foster is that when the animal has been in a home and then comes to an adoption show, they are a changed dog/cat,” Thompson said. “They are much more social, and the foster parents can tell us a lot of information about the animal, which ultimately helps find a good match in a family, making them less likely to return to the shelter.”

Fostering gives the opportunity to do something good, said Pamela Miller, a foster mom for dogs.

“It takes a lot of work and can be stressful. When the dog arrives to me it takes time to get to know them, but it is so helpful to find out their traits and make them presentable to a prospective adoptive family,” she said. “I feel really good when my babies get a good home.” 

Willa Bagwell, director for Southwest Communities Animal Shelter, highly commends the work of foster families.

“Our foster parents are very special people. They have a very hard job,” she said. “They take care of these precious animals, get to know their personalities, work on behavior problems, care for them, take them to adoption shows -- and when the animal gets adopted, it is bittersweet. (The parents) are happy that they have found a forever home, but they miss them when they are gone. I personally cannot foster, as it breaks my heart when I have to let them go.”

Bagwell said foster parents have saved thousands of animals over the years.

“They do an absolutely great job,” she said of foster families. “They are wonderful, caring and compassionate friends.”

The shelter is always looking for more foster parents. If you think you can help, contact Terri Thompson at 951-674-0618. She will help you find a good match for your family. The shelter provides fosters with food, bedding, bowls, collars, ID tag and leashes. A screening process is required that includes a yard check. Average fostering time is two to six weeks.