The holidays are a time for bringing family together: for eating too much good food, watching movies, enjoying pick-up games of football in the yard, snugging in with books and blankets, or playing board games together in the evening. What better way to bring a little extra magic into the season than by fostering an adoptable dog?
To you, spending a holiday weekend with a dog from a local shelter may be just a fun few days of furry belly rubs and games of catch. But to the dog, it’s a launch pad into a new way of life. Studies show that dogs who spend even just a few days in a foster home are typically adopted more quickly than their kennel-mates who have not had that experience.
A weekend in a foster home gives a dog time to decompress from the noise and monotony of the shelter. It also lets them experience the little daily luxuries of a home: a soft bed by the sofa, the presence of people around them all day to provide pets and snuggles; walks around an exciting new neighborhood; or maybe even a foster sibling to pay with in the yard. It’s a glimpse into what their life will be like when they have a home of their own, and it can change their life.
Dogs come back from their foster experience with a spring in their step. They are often more engaged and open to new people, and dogs who are more approachable and friendly are more likely to be adopted.
So visit your local shelter and arrange to foster a dog over the holidays. It will add an extra element of love, comfort, and joy to your family gatherings, and could be the point from which an adoptable dog will start a whole new life!
For information about fostering, reach out to your local shelter, or contact Best Friends Animal Society at fosternwa@bestfriends.org.
Learn more about fostering with Best Friends here.
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