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Subject: Another fostering question
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k_dmom33


Terrier Terror
Terrier Terror
04/18/2008 12:23 AM  

For those foster coordinators......is there ever a time when a dog in foster care is never adopted?  And if so...what happens to them?  Do they stay in one foster home or go other places?

I'm still interested in fostering and am working on my husband.  He isnt saying absolutly not anymore.  I just kind of mentioned it to him the other night and he didnt say anything...better then saying NO!!!  My mom also thought it would be great!

Anyway, I will prob have questions from time to time...but hopefully I will get to do this soon!


~~Teresa~~
yogis mom


Ratastic
Ratastic
04/18/2008 7:24 AM  

Good question Teresa!

I too am considering signing up...and I have wondered about that myself.

Especially taking in Seniors...or "special needs" animals...

gwacie


Rat-A-Tat-Tat
Rat-A-Tat-Tat
04/18/2008 7:30 AM  
To be honest, if you take in a senior or a special needs dog, there is a good chance that you will be keeping that dog as he lives out his days. Not always, of course, but it happens. If I ever get the chance to move to a big piece of land I want to set up a retirement shelter (a cushy one) for seniors since this is a big issue and they deserve better than being dumped in a concrete run after 10+ years of living with a family.

I know if you are fostering with Ratbones, though, and ever feel you need to move one of your fosters to someone else they try very hard to accomodate. From what I've seen they are an amazing bunch of caring RT lovers.



gwacie (Bethany)
My Doggies: http://www.myadams.net/dogs/
Rescue: http://www.newrattitude.org
Mitzy's Mom


PAWesome
PAWesome
04/18/2008 7:59 AM  
Yep, Ratbones tries very hard to work with foster parents and send them dogs to foster that will fit best with them. For example, I wouldn't feel comfortable fostering a dog with seizures as I have no experience in that so my foster coordinator wouldn't send me a dog they knew had seizures. (Of course if no one else could take the dog I would and learn to handle it but that's just an example.)

I'll tell you though - the fosters that take in the senior dogs and dogs with special needs - they're amazing people. Some of the senior dogs could just break your heart - imagine being dumped in a shelter for the crime of becoming old - and these foster parents deal with the health issues, etc. of these senior dogs....those foster parents are stronger people than I am for sure!

Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids

Georgia Foster Mom, New Rattitude
at www.newrattitude.org
Pics of my current fosters:
http://imageevent.com/newrattitude/caradoc
http://imageevent.com/newrattitude/willow
http://imageevent.com/newrattitude/fiona
SuzieRedhead


Rat-A-Tat-Tat
Rat-A-Tat-Tat
04/18/2008 8:20 AM  

Fostering is a wonderful and rewarding experience. However, there is never any guarantee that the dog you get to foster will be "perfect", especially coming from a shelter. That's why these dogs need us. To "fix" what's broken, if anything, make them feel safe and secure and help them learn to trust again, so that they can finally go to their forever home.

I've had my share of difficult dogs, and it has only made me a better fostermom. I am glad to have those types of experiences, because it I learn from it and it makes me better able to handle other dogs who may have had the same type of issues.

Also, you never know how long you will have that foster. There are many factors to weigh. Older, special needs dogs usually take longer to place - or they may never be adopted. If you take in a dog like that you have to undertstand that you may have that dog for the rest of it's life, but at least you have saved that dog from dying in a shelter and have shown it love and affection for the time it had remaining.

I've been a fostermom for 5 years, and I will do it for as long as I'm able. The greatest payoff you can get is an email from someone who adopted one of your fosters telling you how much they love that dog and how happy they are. That's what makes it all worth it!!


Sue Carello, Scotia, NY (near Albany)
Ratbone Rescues Fostermom, etc...
www.ratbonerescues.com
Fostermom to Oh Mickey and Prince Ratbone

Who do YOU GoodSearch/GoodShop for? Go to www.goodsearch.com and type in Ratbone Rescues!
k_dmom33


Terrier Terror
Terrier Terror
04/18/2008 3:51 PM  
Thanks for the info. I really think fostering is a wonderful thing for those who can do it. My heart breaks everytime I hear about some poor soul in a shelter or abused! Or "dumped" because they turned out to not be the kind of dog the people were expecting. Its sad and some people just turn their heads and look the other way saying "Its just a dog". I will hopefully someday soon be able to do my part and foster.

~~Teresa~~
Smiles4life


Ratastic
Ratastic
04/18/2008 8:42 PM  

I agree with all the posts here.  It is amazing though the ones you would think are "unadoptable" or would take a long time don't once the right family comes along.  For example, Striker was just approved for adoption and he is 13 to 14yrs old and has some issues.  His new family is aware of this and are so happy to be getting him soon.

So for the most part you never give up.  Because someone sweet like Sue in NY will come along and want that older rattie or one with special needs. 

I call it the "buzz".  I get the word out in several different ways to make sure I give that dog the best PR possible and let the PR work its thing.  I talk about my fosters constantly, post on sites like this, do PetSmart days, post on Craigslist our special events like PetSmart, take my fosters out in public and get people to notice them, create great bio that tells both positive and negative about the rattie and create a descriptive photo album for them.  This might sound like a lot, but it is fun and works.

The foster coordinator will do their best to work with you and for me and Mary Beth I gave her Danica to help her on her way to success.  I personally cannot take certain cases because I have younger dogs (4 of my own) and work full time.  So there is a foster rattie out there for every type of household.

We are always here for questions and thanks for the post and talking to hubby!


Paula Nowak
Foster Mom, GA State Coordinator & More
Adoptables: www.imageevent.com/smiles4life
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