If you love dogs and would like to help some in your area, a couple programs in need of volunteers 24/7 are foster care and rescue organizations. Foster care is when dogs need a little help getting back on their feet before being adopted by the local Humane Society or other organization. And rescue operations abound for breeds and also for dogs in general.

What opportunities are available depends upon your area and needs there. Start with a call to your local Humane Society and ask questions. Also check online.

Foster Care for Dogs

You’ll find some foster care opportunities for new puppies that arrive at the Humane Society that are perhaps not ready for showing; i.e. maybe they need to age a few weeks until they have their shots or maybe they need socialized in a home environment for awhile to get used to people.  You may also find older pets that have been abandoned in need of TLC (tender loving care) or maybe that need a place to help transition them between placements where there are plenty of resources to help, like maybe dog steps for elderly arthritic dogs along with TLC.

Don’t worry about needing any special dog accessories, foods, etc. When you contact the Humane Society, you can interview with them and they’ll see what you have to offer, sharing items with you that you may need like some sturdy elevated dog feeders and bedding. They can help you find items nearby, too, at affordable rates as needed.

Rescue Organizations for Dogs

Dogs in need of rescue can often be victims of domestic violence, abandonment or they may simply be lost and need help getting home.  For example, you may find a German Shepard wandering around your fenced yard. A quick snack in your backyard of dog food you have on hand can bring this weary, hungry dog in through your fence where you can keep him safe, offing water, too, while you call around or check online with German Shepard rescue organizations in your area.

Hint: Online, simply key in words like, “German Shepard rescue your state” for starters.

Then once you have a contact, you’ll find out if someone can come out to take the dog from you, bringing dog carriers of various sizes along with leashes and other pet accessories. Or you’ll find out if you can join their rescue and keep the dog at your place, list him along with others in need of homes, and take good care of him until you find a permanent home for him.

Other Animals

What you’ll need to do regardless of which type of organization you work with, is make sure any and all pets you now have are current with their shots. Because if you bring in a stray with heartworm, for instance, it could be contagious and harm your other dogs.

Other things to consider are:

1. Where the dog will sleep at night (many may cry or howl their first night).
2. What type yard you have and seasonal conditions (example: Spring means muddy yard, most often, and dirty rugs as pets run in and out).
3. Your families’ ways of coping, of acceptance, attachment and stress (example: does everyone agree to the arrangements? Will everyone chip in to help with the animal care?)

Always seek help and tips from local pet stores and the Human Society, as well as pet organizations. Many places have print newsletters you can keep handy with lists of local resources and phone numbers. So reach out and help your local dogs and your family in the meantime, adding a new family member, even if temporarily, who will bring plenty of love, wags and licks along for all!

and your family in the meantime, adding a new family member, even if temporarily, who will bring plenty of love, wags and licks along for all!

at your place, list him along with others in need of homes, and take good care of him until you find a permanent home for him.

Other Animals

What you’ll need to do regardless of which type of organization you work with, is make sure any and all pets you now have are current with their shots. Because if you bring in a stray with heartworm, for instance, it could be contagious and harm your other dogs.

Other things to consider are:

1. Where the dog will sleep at night (many may cry or howl their first night).
2. What type yard you have and seasonal conditions (example: Spring means muddy yard, most often, and dirty rugs as pets run in and out).
3. Your families’ ways of coping, of acceptance, attachment and stress (example: does everyone agree to the arrangements? Will everyone chip in to help with the animal care?)

Always seek help and tips from local pet stores and the Human Society, as well as pet organizations. Many places have print newsletters you can keep handy with lists of local resources and phone numbers. So reach out and help your local dogs and your family in the meantime, adding a new family member, even if temporarily, who will bring plenty of love, wags and licks along for all!

and your family in the meantime, adding a new family member, even if temporarily, who will bring plenty of love, wags and licks along for all!

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