April 30th is National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day. In recognition of the day, we’d like to give an update on Church, the labrador mix we featured in the summer, who needed a home. Church was on the euthanasia list at Stanislaus Animal Services due to overcrowding at the shelter and was fostered by one of our staffers.
When the staffer moved to another home, Church needed a temporary boarding facility until the staffer could reclaim him. The Ranch Pet Resort stepped up to temporarily board this sweet boy who had been displaced so many times.
Within a short time, another volunteer rescuer stepped up to foster Church. She allowed him the time he needed to decompress, a practice standard with all dogs who have been displaced. This time allows them to calm down, relax, feel safe, and show their true personality which they can’t do in a stressful shelter environment.
When Church was brought inside with his new foster, he showed his appreciation by wrapping his paws around her leg, putting his head on his new foster mom’s lap, and not leaving her side.
Church’s big brown eyes were more than the foster could take, and she did what many in fostering do-fail.
Church has now found a permanent home, and he and his foster mom are thrilled. The original foster, our staffer, is happy for Church and is on the lookout for another foster dog to call her own.
Shelter Pets Need You
Not all dogs have a happy ending. The sad truth is, the state of animal welfare in our country is dire. Animals are flooding the shelters all over the country due to overbreeding, neglect, a lack of available and affordable spay and neuter services, people losing housing, jobs, or having financial issues, and the thinking that animals are disposable.
Rescues are full and some have stopped taking in animals who need help. Adoptions are down. Yet, there are so many adoptable dogs and cats, pups, kittens, rabbits, birds, and farm animals that are waiting for someone to adopt them.
Shelters are flooded with every type of dog imaginable, from purebreds to puremutts, each deserving a home of their own.
Consider Foster or Adopting a Shelter Pet
If you have time and space in your home for a foster pet, please consider fostering the animal. The shelters or rescues provide you with all of the materials you need to temporarily care for the pet.
In return, you are helping ease the life of a shelter pet and conditioning it to become the best pet for someone else or you if you choose to adopt the pet.
The experience is truly rewarding! Contact your local shelter or rescue for more information.
