Submitted by Krista Boutte, a foster mom for over 33 animals
The first thing people always ask me as a foster mom is, how do you let them go? While few would argue that it is indeed difficult to say goodbye when it’s time for them to go to their new home, I find comfort in knowing I made a difference, I saved a life. Knowing that the animals I foster will be living the rest of their life in a safe, loving home, as it was meant to be, is alone an incredibly gratifying and rewarding experience.
Even our four year old daughter has become very involved with our fostered animals. She understands that these animals will be with us until they are adopted by their forever homes. And when one leaves, she asks when the next foster is coming home. It has helped us teach her responsibility and how to make a difference in our community, one life at a time.
Over the years we’ve fostered many different animals, from all sorts of backgrounds, all sizes and personalities. Each one has brought a different meaning to the impact of fostering for us, and for our other three dogs. One of our dogs, Broker, a large black and white Great Dane mix has taken on the roll of foster father to each of the dogs we’ve brought home. He welcomes each of them into their new environment, sharing his bed, his toys and his love with all of them. One foster in particular named Maddie, who was surrendered to WHS with a broken leg, malnourished and depressed came home with us one evening. Broker and Maddie immediately became inseparable; I frequently witnessed him giving her baths and lying toys down in front of her during her recovery. When she would get up, he would follow. Although we never planned on forcing our other dogs to enjoy the temporary company of a foster, they seem to know that when they arrive we need to shower them with extra love and attention.
Today Maddie lives on a horse farm in northern Virginia with several other dogs, and although she will never regain full use of her leg that was broken, she shows her new family everyday just how grateful she is to have been given a second chance. And Broker is busy mentoring and caring for our newest foster.
What many people don’t realize about fostering a pet from WHS is that you are helping to save another life by opening up additional shelter space for the next incoming animal. Bottom line, WHS foster parents save lives! Being in a foster home, rather than in the shelter, allows for more individualized care and attention. A foster parent can provide the animal with socialization skills, which makes them a more well-adjusted pet and easier to match to the right forever home. Fostering animals is a part of our family and always will be. It’s had a tremendous positive impact on our lives and we will continue to foster animals of all sizes for years to come.
Help make a difference in your community and an animal’s life, try fostering an animal and discover just how rewarding it can be.
If you’re interested in finding out more about fostering an animal through WHS, please contact Louisa Phillips at lphillips@washhumane.org 202-723-5730 x.136 or Krista Boutte at kboutte@washhumane.org 202-683-1838.
Broker and Maddie
I have fostered 23 cats and kittens the past two years. It is great to see them go to their new homes and to get pictures and updates. The shelter can be so overwhelming and a spare bedroom or bathroom can save a life. My son's cat who is staying with me while he is in flight school takes on each kitten as her own - bathing them and teaching them how to be a cat
Posted by: Cyndy martin | March 26, 2011 at 03:26 PM
WE ADOPTED OUR DOG THROUGH KRISTA AND ARE GRATEFUL TO THIS DAY. AS PARENTS OF AN ONLY CHILD "ROXY" HAS BECOME THE SIBLING WE WERE LACKING. SHE IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR FAMILY. THIS IS A GREAT HUMANITARIAN PROGRAM.
Posted by: RANDY, DEBBIE & JEREMY | March 26, 2011 at 12:25 AM
Great story! No one knows the reward you feel from saving a life Until you do it. Thanks for doing what you do.
Posted by: Lisa Wolf | March 25, 2011 at 02:11 PM
What a wonderful tribute to fostering! Anyone that has even considered fostering an animal would be encouraged by this story of the generosity and love.
Posted by: Robin Dunning | March 24, 2011 at 08:05 PM