There’s a special kind of magic when a shelter pet trades a noisy kennel for a cozy living room. For animals waiting for adoption, a foster home is the bridge between a frightened past and a bright, loving future. It’s a true game-changer. According to Best Friends NWA, shelters with foster programs see a 30 percent higher adoption rate, as pets in homes are healthier and less stressed. This impact is twofold—not only are more pets adopted, but shelters create crucial space for new arrivals. Today, you’ll read testimonials from four NWA families who prove that opening your heart and home to a shelter pet is transformative for both the animal and its caregivers. Visit: BestFriends.org/Northwest-Arkansas/Foster
Mindy Tucker
"Fostering for Best Friends’ has been an incredible experience for our family, especially for our children. It gives kids the opportunity to learn responsibility in a meaningful way through helping with daily tasks like feeding, walking, playing, and providing comfort. Beyond responsibility, fostering teaches empathy and the importance of helping others. Watching a scared or uncertain dog transform into a happy, trusting companion helps children understand the impact kindness can have on another life. While saying goodbye can be bittersweet, it gives children a sense of pride knowing they played a role in helping that dog succeed. It is a hands-on lesson in compassion, resilience, and giving back that benefits both the dogs and the families who open their homes to them."
Silas & Elisabeth Murders
“We've always been drawn to fostering because of the need to help animals in our community. We tend to foster dogs who need a bit more TLC than others. When a dog receives love and feels safe in a foster home, they come out of their shell and become much more adoptable. Some people might wonder if seeing dogs come and go is hard on a family with small children, but for us, it's been a meaningful opportunity to teach our daughter about care, responsibility, and the love pets need. Take Kloe, for instance. When we first met her at the shelter, she didn’t want to leave her crate. Over time, she grew more confident and became the sweetest cuddle buddy. We poured our love into her, and she poured hers right back into us. We hope that more families will consider fostering animals–we know it's played a special part in our lives!”
Lindsay Wilson
“I have been fostering animals since I was sixteen years old. Over the years, I have become experienced in caring for animals orphaned or separated from their mothers, too young to survive without constant care. My family and I are followers of Jesus Christ, and we believe that compassion is more than a feeling; it is something we are called to live out. Love is never wasted. Whether we have them for a few days or longer, they spend that time knowing warmth, comfort, and gentle hands. If I have learned anything through fostering, it is this: the size of a life never determines its value.”
Lorie Comer
“In a foster home, puppies can experience proper socialization and specialized care needed to thrive, so they can go on to get adopted into loving homes. As hard as it is to say goodbye to the puppies and mommas I foster, the most rewarding moment is when I get to send them off to their new families. I love getting to meet the adopters and tell them everything I’ve learned about the puppies. I often stay in touch with adopters and look forward to receiving updates and photos as the puppies grow up. I handle saying 'goodbye' with the mindset that I am one person in an entire village that makes rescue work. My job in the village is fostering the babies.”