Newbie advice for those considering animal fostering
We haven't had a chance to write much about another side of this journey which we feel is very important to share with those who may be considering animal fostering. We have absolutely no regrets that we've spent a large part of our rent money on this rescue and are not sure what we're going to do come Feb. 1st (if you'd like to help, we are able to accept contributions via paypal sent directly to the email: kurtschlough@aol.com or to Kurt Schlough, PO Box 25661, Albuquerque, NM 87125) nor do we have any regrets that we took the leap to help save these 11 (momma Sweet Pea + her 10 pups). What we do regret is listening to and relying upon the good intentions and well meaning words of others and not preparing ourselves for the worse. Below are 2 scenarios - one we'll likely never enter into again and another which we likely will.
22 days into this journey - lessons learned so far: Don't place stock in well meaning words, no matter how much you like the person/people and no matter how good the intentions. Align yourself with a reputable animal fostering program.
Foster Scenario 1 - our personal scenario in a nutshell: We responded to a craigslist '911-help' posting asking for help to get Sweet Pea and her 10 pups out of a high-kill shelter and safe from euthanasia. We were first told we'd be fostering for a rescue group and that we'd need to sign a contract with them. We asked if the rescue group would be taking care of any upcoming vet bills for these 11 and when the mom + pups were dropped off the next day (Jan 5th) we were told that we would not be fostering for the rescue group that we'd be fostering directly with the shelter but not to worry about vet bills and other expenses (although the shelter would not be providing any assistance). We were surprised that the rescue group had backed out without explanation after we asked about vet bills but thought that maybe that's just how this foster thing worked. We also expressed our concern over future heating bills since we would have to keep our converted industrial space (16 ft ceilings, etc.) at such a high temp. for the sake of the pups and was again told not to worry about it - help would be available. About 80% of that help never arrived and we have no indication that it ever will. Luckily, we have had some help from old friends and new friends along the way but we have a longer journey ahead of us.
We understand that the goal of the people we initially were working with was to prevent this mom and pup from being euthanized and that goal was achieved but it was not done in an honest manner and if we had not been the type of people we are, things may have, unfortunately been different. Luckily, we stay committed even though we lose sleep over how we were going to make it through.
On Jan 17th, momma Sweet Pea was diagnosed with Ehrlichiosis and the vet ordered her to begin doxycycline and supplements and also ordered the pups removed and to be bottle fed. Of course we panicked because Sweet Pea was much worse off than we thought she was and we were trying to wrap our heads around bottle feeding puppies (much less bottle feeding 10 puppies).
This is where Foster Scenario 2 begins - the vet and the shelter rep recommended we contact Boni Galarneau, the foster coordinator at Animal Humane New Mexico to get help with the pups. Her and Marie Privett (an AHNM foster rep) basically came to our rescue and took 6 of the pups to bottle feed leaving us with 4 to bottle feed. All was going ok for the 1st 24 hours until momma Sweet Pea began grieving and howling like we've never heard a dog howl before - the pups (now in another room) heard her and responded - a heart wrenching volley of howls ensued and the pups and momma Sweet Pea stopped eating. Boni, Marie and we decided that the 4 pups had to be removed and they were placed with another AHNM foster. After an unfortunate accident with Jami's adult dog rsulting in an emergency room visit, she was no longer able to help so the 4 pups had to be moved once again. These pups have been through so much but thanks to Boni and Marie and a fully supported foster program at AHNM, these pups are now getting everything they need - vet care, bottle feeding, general care and socialization, etc. AHNM has an amazing foster program and we would highly recommend becoming involved in their program. You'll be helping an animal in need and you'll get the support and guidance you need along the way. This is especially valuable to someone new to animal fostering.
Momma Sweet Pea is still our total responsibility but we're hopeful to get future foster support for her through the AHNM foster program. We have a vet follow up visit today for her due to recent increase in the rate and sound of her breathing. We'll post more news after we return from the vet along with new puppy pictures from Marie and Boni. We're counting down the days until pups Kink, Pinky, Bruiser and Kaiser return here for the end of their foster care.
~ The Animal Foster Newbies
22 days into this journey - lessons learned so far: Don't place stock in well meaning words, no matter how much you like the person/people and no matter how good the intentions. Align yourself with a reputable animal fostering program.
Foster Scenario 1 - our personal scenario in a nutshell: We responded to a craigslist '911-help' posting asking for help to get Sweet Pea and her 10 pups out of a high-kill shelter and safe from euthanasia. We were first told we'd be fostering for a rescue group and that we'd need to sign a contract with them. We asked if the rescue group would be taking care of any upcoming vet bills for these 11 and when the mom + pups were dropped off the next day (Jan 5th) we were told that we would not be fostering for the rescue group that we'd be fostering directly with the shelter but not to worry about vet bills and other expenses (although the shelter would not be providing any assistance). We were surprised that the rescue group had backed out without explanation after we asked about vet bills but thought that maybe that's just how this foster thing worked. We also expressed our concern over future heating bills since we would have to keep our converted industrial space (16 ft ceilings, etc.) at such a high temp. for the sake of the pups and was again told not to worry about it - help would be available. About 80% of that help never arrived and we have no indication that it ever will. Luckily, we have had some help from old friends and new friends along the way but we have a longer journey ahead of us.
We understand that the goal of the people we initially were working with was to prevent this mom and pup from being euthanized and that goal was achieved but it was not done in an honest manner and if we had not been the type of people we are, things may have, unfortunately been different. Luckily, we stay committed even though we lose sleep over how we were going to make it through.
On Jan 17th, momma Sweet Pea was diagnosed with Ehrlichiosis and the vet ordered her to begin doxycycline and supplements and also ordered the pups removed and to be bottle fed. Of course we panicked because Sweet Pea was much worse off than we thought she was and we were trying to wrap our heads around bottle feeding puppies (much less bottle feeding 10 puppies).
This is where Foster Scenario 2 begins - the vet and the shelter rep recommended we contact Boni Galarneau, the foster coordinator at Animal Humane New Mexico to get help with the pups. Her and Marie Privett (an AHNM foster rep) basically came to our rescue and took 6 of the pups to bottle feed leaving us with 4 to bottle feed. All was going ok for the 1st 24 hours until momma Sweet Pea began grieving and howling like we've never heard a dog howl before - the pups (now in another room) heard her and responded - a heart wrenching volley of howls ensued and the pups and momma Sweet Pea stopped eating. Boni, Marie and we decided that the 4 pups had to be removed and they were placed with another AHNM foster. After an unfortunate accident with Jami's adult dog rsulting in an emergency room visit, she was no longer able to help so the 4 pups had to be moved once again. These pups have been through so much but thanks to Boni and Marie and a fully supported foster program at AHNM, these pups are now getting everything they need - vet care, bottle feeding, general care and socialization, etc. AHNM has an amazing foster program and we would highly recommend becoming involved in their program. You'll be helping an animal in need and you'll get the support and guidance you need along the way. This is especially valuable to someone new to animal fostering.
Momma Sweet Pea is still our total responsibility but we're hopeful to get future foster support for her through the AHNM foster program. We have a vet follow up visit today for her due to recent increase in the rate and sound of her breathing. We'll post more news after we return from the vet along with new puppy pictures from Marie and Boni. We're counting down the days until pups Kink, Pinky, Bruiser and Kaiser return here for the end of their foster care.
~ The Animal Foster Newbies
posted by Animal Foster Newbies at
9:43 AM
1 Comments:
I have learned a few things along this journey as well. One of them being always read and agree to the contract before bringing a foster in to our home. Thank goodness you were there for them or this could all be playing out so differently!
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