Saying Goodbye is Hard, but Fostering Saves Lives: An Interview with a Foster Dog Mom | Hamilton, ON Pet Photographer

Have you considered fostering, but you’re not sure if the process is right for you?

Fostering a dog is one of the most important decisions that you can make as a dog lover. Not only are you helping dogs experience loving and caring homes, sometimes for the first time in their lives, but you’re also helping to prevent more dogs from being euthanized.

Working with a rescue organization can make fostering a dog easier than ever. That’s why I’m so excited to share this interview with you!

I sat down with a local foster mom who fosters with Southern Connection Dog Rescue, a fantastic foster-based rescue organization working to find homes for dogs in the Greater Toronto Area.

Read on to hear all about her experience with fostering and her advice to first-time foster parents or those thinking about fostering a dog for the first time.

How long have you been fostering? How many dogs have you fostered? 

We’ve been fostering for 6 months and have fostered 6 dogs.

What is it like for the dog on their first night at your house? What is it like for you? 

The dogs don’t usually sleep through the first night. They seem excited and nervous about being in a new location.

For us, we are very excited when new pups come into the house. We try to get everything set up in a way for the dogs to feel comfortable. We also don’t sleep much on the first night because the dogs don’t sleep

What made you sign up to be a foster dog mom? 

We wanted to have more dogs, but we also wanted to help the rescue (Southern Connection), so fostering was a perfect fit for us.

What is the hardest part of being a foster dog mom? 

For us, the hardest part is watching the pups leave…but we’re happy to see them go to good and loving families on adoption day.

What is the most rewarding thing about being a foster dog mom? 

The most rewarding part is on adoption day when we can see the happiness on the faces of the families that are welcoming a new member to their family.

To anyone that is thinking about fostering, what advice and tips do you have for them? 

Anyone who is thinking about fostering, do it! It’s a very rewarding experience, and you play an important role in a pup’s life. I’d say it’s important for a foster to be patient and also show the dogs as much love as possible—love them like your own pup.

Does it cost any money to foster, and are you supported by the rescue when you have issues? 

The Rescue takes care of all the costs, and we are totally supported by the rescue if we have any issues. Southern Connection has been an amazing rescue to work with.

Are You Interested in Becoming a Foster Dog Parent?

Southern Connection Dog Rescue is currently in need of foster parents to help them provide even more dogs with caring, loving fur-ever families. The organization depends on fasters to continue doing the amazing work that they do.

If you’re interested in becoming a foster dog parent, fill out an application form on their website, or reach out to the rescue with more information.

Becoming a foster dog mom or dad is truly a selfless act that can make a difference in so many lives—including yours.