After adopting two Labrador retrievers from a local rescue dedicated to the breed, Tamara Daily decided to give back by volunteering as a foster pet parent. Because she lives in Ohio where there’s a high concentration of puppy mills, many of her foster dogs had been used for breeding. Seeing how much neglect these dogs suffered was one of the most unexpected parts of fostering, Daily says. One dog was so traumatized she urinated and defecated in fear when a delivery person came to their house.
After fostering dogs firsthand, Daily became curious about the experiences of other volunteers. A professor of psychology at the University of Mount Union, she decided to study it.
Her research found volunteers had an overall emotionally satisfying experience with low levels of burnout and stress. People said seeing dogs get adopted into loving homes and watching them come out of their shells were some of the most rewarding aspects. But participants also noted challenges, like caring for dogs with behavioral issues, seeing dogs in pain or struggling to let go (having a hard time saying goodbye, worrying about them, etc.) after a dog was adopted.
Fostering is really important and worth it, despite the emotional pain that sometimes happens.”
Kirsten Peek, Humane World for Animals
After fostering over 100 animals, Kirsten Peek, media relations manager at Humane World for Animals, has lived through many of these experiences herself. One of the hardest parts for her is saying goodbye to her foster animals. She still cries every time.
To help cope, Peek reminds herself that letting go is the goal of fostering. “I taught [my foster animals] safety and love and to be cared for, and hopefully gave them some resilience. That is something that they’ll build on for the rest of their lives with their adoptive families.”
She also gives each animal a pep talk before they leave her home, telling them that change is scary at first but they will adapt and be so happy in their new homes. The talk is mostly for her benefit, Peek admits.
Even after a foster pet leaves, it’s natural to worry about them. Daily thinks about her former foster dogs often. She keeps a collection of photos to remind herself of all the good times she had with them. She even keeps in contact with a few adopters who send her updates about the dogs.
Fostering can be difficult at times, but those moments are often far outweighed by the satisfaction volunteers receive caring for animals and helping local organizations. “I think fosters are the backbone of so many rescues and shelters,” Peek says. “Fostering is really important and worth it, despite the emotional pain that sometimes happens.”
Daily says one of the most surprising parts of volunteering was seeing how resilient the animals were. Even some of the most withdrawn foster dogs became joyful animals in her home. “When you see them turn around like that, that’s the real reward.”
Four ways to protect your well-being while fostering
- Find an organization that matches your goals. Think about how involved you want to be in the adoption process. Some volunteers find comfort in meeting potential adopters and providing details about their foster pets directly. If this is important to you, ask organizations if they support foster parents in providing adoption counseling.
- Set boundaries. If Daily fosters a dog who needs a lot of help with behavioral or health issues, she’ll ask to take a low-needs dog next. Peek takes on “one big foster adventure a year” where she’ll care for a nursing mother or puppies or kittens who need bottle-feeding. The rest of the year she cares for short-term fosters.
- Consider your pets’ well-being too. If you have pets in the home, keep tabs on how they are doing. Some animals love having new friends come into the home while others have a harder time adjusting.
- Remember the good. Mementos, like Daily’s collection of photos, can help remind you of the positive impact you are creating.
Rachel Stern/Humane World for Animals
How do I find the best fostering opportunity for me?
If you’re unsure about adopting a new furry family member, fostering can be a great way to test the waters. It’s also a huge help to animal shelters, which often rely on foster homes to help manage their capacity and provide a comforting space for animals.
