Animal Welfare Professionals

I recently experienced a situation that is very new to me, even though I've been in animal welfare/rescue for over a decade. We posted a Boston Terrier to find a foster home and no one stepped up for it. I'm used to not being able to place large dogs, or certain looking types of dogs, but we've posted several smaller, cute, or apparent pure bred dogs (mini aussie, the boston, etc) recently and no one snaps them up.  Is this a new national trend that is piggy backing on the current national trend of lacking in foster homes?

#FosterPrograms

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Sandra Thomas
Vice President of Operations
The Oklahoma Humane Society
OK
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We had these kind of weird situations happen but then, this week, we posted an older bully-breed mix, a terrified bully breed mix and 2 large GSD's and all have been "claimed" for foster.  It's so odd to me that for months, we haven't been able to get any adult dogs-large or small-placed, even last week we couldn't place 2 four to five month old puppies (so they came home with me)-and this week, we have all these difficult to place big dogs going to foster!

Perhaps someone has some actual words of wisdom.  I can only say, I have no idea what is happening on this planet anymore!

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Ellen Gratch
Capital Area Humane Society
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-09-2024 03:42 PM
From: Sandra Thomas
Subject: Foster placement

I recently experienced a situation that is very new to me, even though I've been in animal welfare/rescue for over a decade. We posted a Boston Terrier to find a foster home and no one stepped up for it. I'm used to not being able to place large dogs, or certain looking types of dogs, but we've posted several smaller, cute, or apparent pure bred dogs (mini aussie, the boston, etc) recently and no one snaps them up.  Is this a new national trend that is piggy backing on the current national trend of lacking in foster homes?

#FosterPrograms

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Sandra Thomas
Vice President of Operations
The Oklahoma Humane Society
OK
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As someone who has been a foster for several years, I'd suggest asking them (there is an excellent Foster Survey available through Maddie's Fund). 

Some possible reasons for a lack of response to fostering might be:

(1) the holiday season and not wanting to take on another responsibility until it's over;

(2) misperceptions about the breed and its needs (some look at all dogs of a certain breed as being the same instead of individuals);

(3) fostering for other rescues and the foster cannot take another dog;

(4) age and general factors of the foster's resident dog (my 12 yr old Golden does not tolerate young, exuberant dogs).

Hope this helps!  

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Elizabeth Smiley
Desert Labrador Retriever Rescue
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-09-2024 03:42 PM
From: Sandra Thomas
Subject: Foster placement

I recently experienced a situation that is very new to me, even though I've been in animal welfare/rescue for over a decade. We posted a Boston Terrier to find a foster home and no one stepped up for it. I'm used to not being able to place large dogs, or certain looking types of dogs, but we've posted several smaller, cute, or apparent pure bred dogs (mini aussie, the boston, etc) recently and no one snaps them up.  Is this a new national trend that is piggy backing on the current national trend of lacking in foster homes?

#FosterPrograms

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Sandra Thomas
Vice President of Operations
The Oklahoma Humane Society
OK
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Yes, apparently we all rescues having same problem finding fosters no matter what are the sizes of the pets nor if these are Cat's or dogs sadly 😢  I can say this about California It's all about landlords security Pet deposits some are way to Expensive. I know it because I'm an active staff Member from a Rescue Organization, I do foster, Drives, and Rescues too my Cats if it happens, and no one wants to fosters my cat's 😔😢 so I'm overwhelmed and overloaded too.

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Mabel Harlet Gastelum
B.A. Psychology
Southern Counties Rescue Organization
Calexico CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-09-2024 03:42 PM
From: Sandra Thomas
Subject: Foster placement

I recently experienced a situation that is very new to me, even though I've been in animal welfare/rescue for over a decade. We posted a Boston Terrier to find a foster home and no one stepped up for it. I'm used to not being able to place large dogs, or certain looking types of dogs, but we've posted several smaller, cute, or apparent pure bred dogs (mini aussie, the boston, etc) recently and no one snaps them up.  Is this a new national trend that is piggy backing on the current national trend of lacking in foster homes?

#FosterPrograms

------------------------------
Sandra Thomas
Vice President of Operations
The Oklahoma Humane Society
OK
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