posted November 20, 2014 04:58 AM            

It takes people and partnerships to realize the possibilities of homeless animals. As I looked around at City-Wide Pet Day, it was clear that people in Richardson see these possibilities. When a community cares about its weakest members, it means not just seeing possibilities, talking about it, but acting. Action means fostering homeless animals, adoption, responsible pet ownership, support of shelters, community advocacy and partnership.

I saw all these in action Nov. 8 at the City-Wide Pet Day, organized by Richardson AnimaLuv. Walking along the path at Huffhines Park, I saw pets, people, partners and possibilities come together.

I met dogs who went on to a happy forever home because they had a foster home when they needed one. I also saw more dogs and cats waiting for new homes. Cats, dogs, puppies and kittens looked hopefully out of crates at prospective adopters.

Yes, there they were, possibilities. At my stop at the Richardson Humane Society, adopters were hugging potential new best friends. Eager pets were interviewing humans.

Richardson Humane Society has re-homed more than 2,000 otherwise unwanted pets and is working to do more. Like most rescues and shelters, the availability of foster homes impacts its capacity to take in more pets and to increase adoptions. A foster home is a temporary home where an animal can live until they find a permanent home.

“Our greatest need is always more foster homes.” said Karen Bearman vice president of RHS.

RHS also needs volunteers Bearman added.

Adoption and fostering are part of a continuum of care rescues and shelters provide for homeless animals. As homeless animals come into a rescue, they need a home to stay in as they wait for adoption. Foster homes are a critical need. The number of foster homes determines the capacity of new animals of “intakes” a rescue can accept. A foster home and living with a family has many benefits for the animal and helps a rescue get to know the pet. People considering fostering a pet often ask, “Isn’t it hard to let the animal go after getting attached?”

The answer is yes. And no.

Sometimes a foster relationship does result in a permanent adoption by the foster family. But when a foster pet is adopted, it can be hard to say goodbye to a foster animal. It helps that the fostering family knows that when animals go on to forever homes, the foster family can then help another animal .

Becoming a foster for an animal takes thoughtful consideration. Those considering it should assess their physical and emotional limits and start slow. For example, I fostered just as a “relief weekend foster” providing relief to other foster families who needed to go on vacation or be out of town. Before deciding to foster, I found it helps to be clear on my expectations and those of the rescue or shelter with whom I am working. OK, I admit it. My dog Junior was my very first foster dog. He came to our home and into our hearts as a foster and never left. Lucky for all of us, he found us.

Opening a home to a foster pet is a rewarding and important contribution to the partnership for pets that makes Richardson a community that cares about its weakest members. Richardson foster homes, rescues, shelters, city services and volunteers all work to create adoption success stories.

Every day a pet finds a foster home is a good day.

Richardson City-Wide Pet Day was a good day for Richardson animals. Where else could I meet a dog in a tutu, dancing golden retrievers, a cat wearing a tiara and see first meetings of Best Friends Forever?

The way Richardson cares for its animals says so much about who we are as a community.

If you would like more information about fostering a pet or helping shelter animals, contact the Richardson Humane Society, Richardson AnimalLuv or an animal rescue.