I have always loved dogs and have been a dedicated rescue doggy mama for over 25 years, but I have always felt like I could be and should be doing more. A few weeks ago, a call came from one of the local shelters near me asking for a foster parent for a blind pup, Benny. He was a sweet dog, but because of his special needs, he wasn’t likely going to rehab successfully and getting adopted from the shelter. I knew my home would be the perfect place for him to rest up and heal so he could find his forever home.
I am not the only animal foster parent here at ROI! Several other staff members have fostered dogs and cats, so when I brought Benny into my home, I asked them for feedback on their experiences and any advice they could share.
Every single person spoke of the joy fostering brought to them. “You get extra love, AND you are giving the animal another chance to find a loving home,” said Jackie Moyse-Parkes, Account Director and doggy foster parent.
I love that while I am sitting and playing with my dogs, I am doing a little bit to change the world. It’s incredible to see the IMMEDIATE impact of your work. Benny was a whole new dog within 24 hours of bringing him home.
I will also be honest. Fostering comes with its challenges. Depending on the new family member’s needs, your schedule gets a bit disrupted. Every ROI animal foster parent told me it requires patience, and I couldn’t agree more. Moyse-Parkes points out, “Not all dogs are the same. Each dog has different needs.” Even though I have had dogs all my life, I learn something new with each one and have to adapt.
Colleen Cooke, a Technical Account Manager who has fostered close to 20 cats and four dogs, says, “It doesn’t take as much as you might think! Just a safe and loving environment and a ‘can-do’ attitude. A responsible rescue will help determine if you are a good fit.”
She also offered this important advice: “Fostering is such a beautiful gift to animals and their future humans, but you can’t be of service if you are burnt out or resentful. Take breaks…lean on the other fosters with the rescue. Also, don’t feel like you have to take in every animal …you can set the boundaries you need to.”
One of the reasons I love working at ROI is that we walk the walk and support the excellent work of our clients, not just with technology but with our day-to-day efforts. We can be animal foster parents because of our remote work and the overall company culture that values service, kindness, generosity, and, most definitely, animal rescue! I have received so much support from my colleagues, and I thank them in advance for all their continued enthusiasm with my oversharing of cute dog pictures.
For more information on being an animal foster parent, check out these resources from The Humane Society of the United States. There are countless rescue organizations and shelters that need your help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help locating one.
My Benny is available for adoption at the time of publication if you live within four hours of Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina.
