A Holiday Retreat
Family, home, and love are all abundant during the holiday season, and some of our shelter dogs got to experience the joy of having a family of their own over the 2024 winter holidays thanks to Rescue Village foster volunteers.
Foster individuals and families make up Rescue Village’s largest volunteer group and play an essential role in the shelter’s capacity for care. In 2024, over 50% of homeless animals went into foster prior to being placed up for adoption. Rescue Village relies on fosters to allow animals to recover from special surgeries, heartworm treatment, or to learn more about their special needs or behaviors so that we can pass that information on to potential adopters. Sometimes, certain behaviors witnessed at the shelter completely disappear upon returning from foster. And other times, we discover behaviors that weren’t previously apparent.
Myrtle and Squash were wonderful candidates for the retreat. While most dogs stay on the adoption floor 12-14 days before finding their forever homes, each dog had been at Rescue Village nearly 2 months. Myrtle’s foster shared that she spent a large portion of her time sleeping, and her favorite spot was at the foot of the bed. She loved feeding time and treats, and would even sit nicely when asked. Myrtle got to enjoy car rides with the foster family, getting brushed, and was a gentle giant inside a new space.
Squash, a transfer to Rescue Village, was battling kennel cough and tapeworms after she arrived. Medical staff began treatment and monitoring, so by Christmas, Squash was cleared as a candidate for a holiday break because she was very shy and fearful at the shelter. Her holiday foster reported that, even though she was very timid at first, she warmed up to the family very quickly and was so sweet and gentle.
Other holiday retreat pups, like Delilah and Otis, enjoyed specialized care and relaxation at a foster home as they waited for their complex medical surgeries, and would need to return to a foster home to recover.
Delilah, a Pit Bull mix, arrived at Rescue Village in early November, abandoned at Rescue Village after having puppies. She needed a complex ear surgery that would end a chronic, painful condition. Her surgery was scheduled for mid-January, and she was becoming so stressed at the shelter that sending her to a holiday foster home was just what she needed.
Otis, an American Boxer, was surrendered by his owner due to his failing health and he could no longer care for Otis. While at his holiday foster home, we learned that Otis loved to cuddle on the couch, but preferred to sleep on his dog bed at night. He loved being around people and listened well, and did great around their cat! After several days, the foster family reported that Otis was exhibiting signs of resource guarding, so we learned that his future home would require resource management in the home, especially if he were to go to a home with other animals.
Myrtle and Squash were soon adopted shortly after their holiday break, while Delilah and Otis, are still in foster recovering from their surgeries and will be available for adoption once they are cleared by our medical staff.
The holidays brought much to celebrate, and the start of the new year calls upon the continued generosity of the community to provide critical care for homeless animals through Rescue Village’s volunteer foster program. Fosters are always needed, so consider opening your home to a shelter pet and aiding in their road to adoption! Rescue Village provides all the necessary food, treats, toys and supplies, along with the proper training and guidance to make every foster experience a success.
