Animal Welfare Professionals

Hi All -  I'm looking for ideas in what people do when their foster parent wants to adopt a long stay pet, but can't afford their monthly care? In our case, the monthly care of April, a 6 year old pitbull who has bad allergies requires monthly Cytopoint and daily apoquel to keep her allergies in check. April has been in foster care for 2 years without one single adoption application. April loves humans but not a fan of other dogs, and has prey drive so cats are out.

Our foster has been great and loves her deeply, but can't afford the monthly (about $300) expense for allergy medication, and this dog would obviously not qualify for pet insurance.

Any innovative programs out there where we can keep pets in foster homes as forever pets without funding their care for the rest of their lives?

Would love any thoughts on this topic! Thank you!

Hi, We have actually had this scenario a few times. One was such a difficult to place dog due  to behavior and the dog was thriving at the foster's that it was worth it for us to pay for the dogs care.

But try this...there are many animal lovers out there that cannot have a dog for various reasons or want to help but want to know directly what impact there donation will have. Put out a call/plea for a virtual dog guardian/s that have the means to pay for  the monthly support or share the monthly support with another virtual dog guardian/s to ensure this dog stays right where he is.  Pull  at heartstrings about his situation and the unlikelihood he will ever get adopted. 

Hi All -  I'm looking for ideas in what people do when their foster parent wants to adopt a long stay pet, but can't afford their monthly care? In our case, the monthly care of April, a 6 year old pitbull who has bad allergies requires monthly Cytopoint and daily apoquel to keep her allergies in check. April has been in foster care for 2 years without one single adoption application. April loves humans but not a fan of other dogs, and has prey drive so cats are out.

Our foster has been great and loves her deeply, but can't afford the monthly (about $300) expense for allergy medication, and this dog would obviously not qualify for pet insurance.

Any innovative programs out there where we can keep pets in foster homes as forever pets without funding their care for the rest of their lives?

Would love any thoughts on this topic! Thank you!

Hi All -  I'm looking for ideas in what people do when their foster parent wants to adopt a long stay pet, but can't afford their monthly care? In our case, the monthly care of April, a 6 year old pitbull who has bad allergies requires monthly Cytopoint and daily apoquel to keep her allergies in check. April has been in foster care for 2 years without one single adoption application. April loves humans but not a fan of other dogs, and has prey drive so cats are out.

Our foster has been great and loves her deeply, but can't afford the monthly (about $300) expense for allergy medication, and this dog would obviously not qualify for pet insurance.

Any innovative programs out there where we can keep pets in foster homes as forever pets without funding their care for the rest of their lives?

Would love any thoughts on this topic! Thank you!

Hi,

What a cutie!  I also love the idea of guardian fund that donors can contribute to on a monthly basis.  Could you have a webpage that lists the dogs that need sponsoring and  people could either donate to an individual dog or the general fund? e.g., i could envision (for example) four dogs on the page. You'd have April listed with her monthly support cost.  A donor could either sign up to be a monthly donor for her, a different dog, or you could donate to the general fund (lump sum or monthly).    The other option would be crowd fundraising, but this other idea seems better for long term fundraising. Love it!

 Sheila

Hi All -  I'm looking for ideas in what people do when their foster parent wants to adopt a long stay pet, but can't afford their monthly care? In our case, the monthly care of April, a 6 year old pitbull who has bad allergies requires monthly Cytopoint and daily apoquel to keep her allergies in check. April has been in foster care for 2 years without one single adoption application. April loves humans but not a fan of other dogs, and has prey drive so cats are out.

Our foster has been great and loves her deeply, but can't afford the monthly (about $300) expense for allergy medication, and this dog would obviously not qualify for pet insurance.

Any innovative programs out there where we can keep pets in foster homes as forever pets without funding their care for the rest of their lives?

Would love any thoughts on this topic! Thank you!

Hi All -  I'm looking for ideas in what people do when their foster parent wants to adopt a long stay pet, but can't afford their monthly care? In our case, the monthly care of April, a 6 year old pitbull who has bad allergies requires monthly Cytopoint and daily apoquel to keep her allergies in check. April has been in foster care for 2 years without one single adoption application. April loves humans but not a fan of other dogs, and has prey drive so cats are out.

Our foster has been great and loves her deeply, but can't afford the monthly (about $300) expense for allergy medication, and this dog would obviously not qualify for pet insurance.

Any innovative programs out there where we can keep pets in foster homes as forever pets without funding their care for the rest of their lives?

Would love any thoughts on this topic! Thank you!

Hi All -  I'm looking for ideas in what people do when their foster parent wants to adopt a long stay pet, but can't afford their monthly care? In our case, the monthly care of April, a 6 year old pitbull who has bad allergies requires monthly Cytopoint and daily apoquel to keep her allergies in check. April has been in foster care for 2 years without one single adoption application. April loves humans but not a fan of other dogs, and has prey drive so cats are out.

Our foster has been great and loves her deeply, but can't afford the monthly (about $300) expense for allergy medication, and this dog would obviously not qualify for pet insurance.

Any innovative programs out there where we can keep pets in foster homes as forever pets without funding their care for the rest of their lives?

Would love any thoughts on this topic! Thank you!

Hi All -  I'm looking for ideas in what people do when their foster parent wants to adopt a long stay pet, but can't afford their monthly care? In our case, the monthly care of April, a 6 year old pitbull who has bad allergies requires monthly Cytopoint and daily apoquel to keep her allergies in check. April has been in foster care for 2 years without one single adoption application. April loves humans but not a fan of other dogs, and has prey drive so cats are out.

Our foster has been great and loves her deeply, but can't afford the monthly (about $300) expense for allergy medication, and this dog would obviously not qualify for pet insurance.

Any innovative programs out there where we can keep pets in foster homes as forever pets without funding their care for the rest of their lives?

Would love any thoughts on this topic! Thank you!

Melissa,

I totally agree with Dr.  Segurson's recommendation of crowdfunding.  There is also an organization set up specifically for this: Waggle.org. 

Previously, I donated to a Go Fund Me campaign for a dog named Fiona who had Cushing's Disease and her monthly treatment was similarly $$.

Although she has now (sadly) passed her "mom" raised $20,000+

So many people gave to help--a donation makes one feel like they are helping even if they cannot provide the home.

Interestingly April looks a lot like Fiona!!

Good luck and let us know!!

Susan Murphy

Hi All -  I'm looking for ideas in what people do when their foster parent wants to adopt a long stay pet, but can't afford their monthly care? In our case, the monthly care of April, a 6 year old pitbull who has bad allergies requires monthly Cytopoint and daily apoquel to keep her allergies in check. April has been in foster care for 2 years without one single adoption application. April loves humans but not a fan of other dogs, and has prey drive so cats are out.

Our foster has been great and loves her deeply, but can't afford the monthly (about $300) expense for allergy medication, and this dog would obviously not qualify for pet insurance.

Any innovative programs out there where we can keep pets in foster homes as forever pets without funding their care for the rest of their lives?

Would love any thoughts on this topic! Thank you!