Fostering 101

A quick scroll through social media and you will likely see tons of pets in need of foster homes. Fostering animals is critically important to saving lives. And while many people want to help, we understand there is a lot of information to digest. Here we answer some fostering FAQs and highlight ways you can help.

What Fostering Means

Fostering a pet means taking them into your home for a limited period of time before they find their forever home. Survivor Tails is a foster-based rescue which means that we do not have a shelter location. All of our animals are in foster homes before they are adopted out. That means we could not survive without appropriate foster parents for our pups — you literally help us save lives!

Fostering an animal can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the situation and the dog’s age, breed, temperament, and other criteria. Some pups take longer to adjust to their new surroundings, so patience is essential when fostering an animal. We currently foster in Massachusetts and Connecticut, and we adopt out to both of those states as well as New Hampshire.

Why Fostering is Important

Without foster homes, we would not be able to rescue dogs (and cats) from high-kill areas, particularly in the south. By providing a safe home to dogs and cats, you are the first stop on the path to a new life. Many of the animals we rescue have been through some tough times are unsure of what love and happiness feel like. By welcoming them into your home and family, you are offering them hope and kindness. Plus, most dogs do not thrive in a shelter environment; many animals open up much better in a home.

Fosters are the much-needed bridge to a forever family for our animals — and sometimes the first kind word and soft touch they ever experience.

What Is Expected of Me?

Once you welcome a foster pet into your home, you are expected to love, care for, and be patient with the new (temporary) addition to your family. You will need to walk and play with your dog, help them establish a routine for potty breaks, and help teach them the basics. Since many dogs come from uncertain situations, the specific needs are determined by the individual dog; for example, some dogs need more help learning commands while other might need a refresher in housebreaking. As mentioned above, being patient and caring are critical to helping your furry pal adjust.

You will also provide updates, feedback, and photos of your foster friend. The more information we have on a dog, the better job we can do finding him or her the best possible forever home. We want all of our dogs and their people to be happy, so keeping us up-to-date on behavior, training, and temperament is essential to our cause. We LOVE pictures and videos — and so do potential adopters!

Is Fostering Expensive?

Not at all. In fact, it is pretty much free! Survivor Tails covers all expenses except for food and toys. All animals arrive fully vetted and spayed/neutered if of age. If anything happens and your foster becomes ill or injured, we cover all veterinary costs. We also provide the foster pup’s ID tag, leash, martingale collar, harness, and a carabiner clip. We can also supply a crate if needed. Plus, we offer plenty of instructions and support to help your new buddy adjust to your home.

Why Should I Foster?

It’s no secret that dogs are the best! And, science has proven that people with pets are happier and live longer. Perhaps you can’t commit to adopting right now; fostering is an excellent way to get some furry love and help an animal in need. Plus, there is no better feeling than helping an animal in need!

Ready to Save a Life?

Great, here are some ways to proceed:

Questions? Feel free to reach out to foster@survivortails.org for more information. We have lots of info to share with potential fosters and adopters.

Ready to fill out a foster application? You can find one here!

Want to see some of the dogs (and cats) in need of a foster home? Visit our Facebook album! More of a cat person? Fear not! While we tend to need more homes for dogs, we love to help our feline friends as well!

Can’t foster, but still want to help? Please start by sharing this post and consider making a much-appreciated financial donation.

Also, check out our website check out our website and social media pages for more information!

 

What Are Pets Good For? 5 Reasons to Adopt a Pet.

The 2015-2016 APPA survey indicates that 65% of U.S. households include a pet. Ever wonder what all the fuss is about? Whether you’re seriously considering getting a pet, or just curious about why so many people do, here are 5 reasons that explain exactly what pets are good for.

1. Pets are good for your heart.

Source: Unsplash

Really, they are! According to the CDC, owning a pet can result in lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels. Why? Probably because pets tend to have a calming effect on their owners, helping to combat stress, and because pets can help you stay more active. If you want to know more, check out this article from Harvard Healthy Publications.

2. Pets are good for helping you lose weight.

Source: Pexels

You wouldn’t mind losing a few pounds, but you know you don’t exercise enough. Sound familiar? Owning a pet, especially a dog, can be a great motivation to get up, get outside, and get moving. This article from Weight Watchers notes a study that showed participants who walked as little as 20 minutes a day, five times a week, lost an average of 14 pounds!

3. Pets are good for your social life.

Want to be more social? Pet ownership not only gives you an instant animal pal, but can help you make more human friends as well. For example, one study found that pet owners were 60% more likely to get to know people in their neighborhood! Just taking your dog for a walk can be a great way to meet new people and any kind of pet gives you an instant conversation starter.

Source: Pixabay

4. Pets are good for your mental health.

Source: Unsplash

If you ever feel stressed out, anxious, depressed, or lonely, having a pet can help to relieve these negative emotions and improve your overall mental health. Partially, for all the reasons listed above, like getting outside and being more active, but also because of the hormone oxytocin.

Oxytocin is released during physical contact and plays a big role in human relationships, causing us to feel more relaxed, trusting, and psychologically stable (PyschCentral). But did you know that interacting with your pet can also increase your oxytocin levels? For more on the psychological benefits of pet ownership, check out this Psychology Today article or this one from Huffington Post.

5. Pets are good for your children.

Have your kids been begging for a pet? There are plenty of reasons to give in. Not only can your children enjoy all the above benefits, but there is research that indicates having pets in the home actually reduces your child’s risk of developing some types of allergies. Is your child learning to read? Pets also make great reading buddies, since kids may feel more relaxed reading aloud to a pet than to an adult.

Source: Unsplash

Pets are great for all these reasons and so many more! If you live in Massachusetts or New Hampshire and are considering fostering or adopting a rescue animal, visit our website to learn more about Survivor Tails Animal Rescue. If you live somewhere else, we encourage you to seek out shelters and animal rescue organizations in your area. There are many, many healthy, loving animals just waiting for a good home!

Of course, pet ownership may not be for everyone. Next week, we’ll be talking about things to consider before you adopt, so keep watching for that!

In the meantime, if you already own a pet or are seriously thinking about getting one, take a moment to comment and let us know what you love about pets!

Adoption Spotlight: Check Out Some of the Amazing Pets Waiting for Adoption

Thinking about getting a pet? There’s no better way to bring a four-footed friend into your home than to adopt one in need! When you adopt through Survivor Tails Animal Rescue, or another rescue organization, you are saving a life and helping to offset the problem of overpopulation in America.

Here are two of the amazing animals currently hoping to be adopted:

Bullseye

Bullseye is a three-year-old Pit/Beagle mix who is great with people, children, and other dogs! His former owner loved him very much, but got into a situation where she could no longer care for him. Now he’s looking for a new home and a family to love! He weighs about 45 to 50 pounds and is good on a leash and in the car. You can check out his profile at RescueMe.org.

Lily

Lily is a Tiger Cat who enjoys head scratches and naps in warm places. A stray on the streets outside Boston, Lily was found when she had a litter of kittens in someone’s backyard. A kind stranger took the family into their home, but now that her kittens are growing up, Lily is ready to find a forever home of her own. She has been diagnosed with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). While cats with FIV can live long, healthy lives, Lily would be best as an only cat. If you think you might like to give this sweet kitty a home, check out her profile on RescueMe.org.

These are just two of the hopefuls waiting in Survivor Tails’ foster homes for a second chance at life. You can see more adoptable rescue animals at RescueMe.org and PetFinder.com. You can also check out our Facebook page for information about newly rescued animals and to find out more about what we do at Survivor Tails Animal Rescue.

7 Ways to Get Involved with Survivor Tails Animal Rescue

2.4 million healthy, adoptable pets are euthanized in shelters every year (Humane Society). Here at Survivor Tails Animal Rescue, we work with volunteers and communities to rescue cats and dogs from this fate and place them in loving homes. If you would like to get involved, here are seven ways you can make a difference today.

1. Foster a rescue animal.

Mattie is one of the many pets currently available for adoption.

If you are in the states of Massachusetts and Connecticut, you can become one of our foster families. Since we have no shelter, we rely on our incredible fosters to care for the cats and dogs we rescue while they wait to be placed in their forever homes. Fostering a rescue animal through Survivor Tails is free, aside from food and toys, and we ensure that every animal is fully vetted and spayed or neutered if of age.

You can learn more about our foster program or fill out an online application by visiting our website.

2. Adopt a rescue animal.

For individuals or families who are ready to welcome a pet into their home permanently, you can save a life by adopting a rescue animal. Visit our Adopt page to learn more.

3. Volunteer with Survivor Tails.

In addition to fostering or adopting animals, we always need people who are willing to help out. From processing applications to assisting with animal transportation, there are plenty of ways you can be a part of Survivor Tails. Click here to find out more or to fill out an online volunteer application.

4. Donate to Survivor Tails.

Each rescue comes with many financial costs, such as pull fees, transport, vetting, fixing, quarantining, training, and more. Since the money we receive from adoption fees does not always cover these costs, we depend on the generous donations of our supporters. Each donation helps us to save more lives. You can donate by visiting our website.

5. Shop from our Amazon Wish List.

Purchasing one or more items from our Amazon Wish List is a simple, but significant way to help us keep the animals we rescue safe, healthy, and happy. The list includes items like toys, leashes, treats, and bedding. Whatever your price range, your gift will go to help an animal in need.

6. Come to an event.

You can support Survivor Tails and meet some of our great volunteers and supporters by attending one of our community events. We don’t have an event on the schedule for the next few weeks, but you can watch for future events by periodically checking out our Facebook Events Page.

7. Spread the word.

Finally, the easiest and quickest way you can get involved today is to share our mission with friends and family on social media.

• Share this post.
• Like our Facebook page. While you’re there, check out some of our recent posts and share one or two with your friends.
• Follow us on Twitter and like or retweet some of our tweets.
• Visit the About page on our website and scroll down to the Press section. Read and share one or more of the news stories that have been written about Survivor Tails.

As a volunteer-only organization, we know the value of each person who decides to get involved. Whether your contribution is time, money, or a loving home for a rescue animal, there is something that you can do today to help us save lives and combat the problems of animal overpopulation.

How will you make a difference today?

Featured image via Pixabay.