This article was featured in WYDaily on 4/12/24
Are you ready to make a positive impact while experiencing personal growth and fulfillment? The Heritage Humane Society invites you to foster a dog – it will change their world as much as yours, too.
Tail wiggles and puppy dog kisses
As Greater Williamsburg’s largest homeless animal shelter, The Heritage Humane Society has a year-round need for fosters. Currently, the shelter has 84 dogs in its care – 105% more than pre-pandemic April 2018, its kennels are beyond full, and it is just the beginning of its busiest time of year. Strays and surrenders arrive daily, each just as different as the reasons many people have when they choose to foster pets.
Fostering dogs helps them as much as it often helps their fosters. Here are just some of the benefits:
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Fostering saves lives. Shelter space is freed up allowing more temporary homes for the nonstop arrival of new homeless pets in need of care.
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Socialization. Being with people and even other pets in a home environment is beneficial for dogs that may have had a rough past or need extra socialization. Plus, fosters report the joy of companionship.
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Personal fulfillment. Fosters often enjoy the sense of purpose with helping to make a significant difference in a dog’s life by providing love, care, and temporary shelter.
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Trial run for adoption. Fostering is also a way for potential adopters to see how a dog fits into their lifestyle without the long-term commitment of adoption. This can lead to more successful adoptions, as it helps ensure that the dog and the adopter are a good match.
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Health benefits. Interacting with animals has been shown to have various health benefits, including reduced stress levels, lower blood pressure, and increased physical activity.
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Support for shelter staff. Fostering helps provide some reprieve on an already stretched shelter staff and resources. It allows them to focus more attention on animals that require medical care, behavioral training or other specific needs.
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Learning experience. Fostering can be a learning experience for both experienced and first-time pet owners. It provides an opportunity to learn about dog behavior, training techniques, and the responsibilities associated with pet ownership.
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Community engagement. Fostering can help build connections within the community by raising awareness about animal welfare issues and encouraging others to get involved.