There are many reasons people investigate what fostering is all about and the reasons for choosing to jump in and give it a try are many.

Perhaps you’ve never had a dog and you want to see if dog ownership is for you.  You might have a dog and want to add a companion but know that you have to find just the right dog as a match.  There could be children that are begging for a pet and as parents you want to see just how responsible the kids are going to be with care taking.  Or you simply want to enjoy the temporary responsibility of having a dog and helping a dog in need.

For many fostering is a very rewarding experience and becomes an addiction of sorts like eating potato chips – you can’t stop at one.

It’s a golden opportunity to touch the lives of a zillion dogs and people.  And if the years go by like they have for us it makes a great story to say we’ve had “dozens,” “hundreds” or “thousands” of dogs in our life.  (easy to do over 20+ years in rescue)

If you worry about getting attached I assure you that you indeed will get attached BUT if you do your job well in matching your foster to a lottery winning life you’ll be thrilled to sing Happy Trails To You.

We’re also here to help you keep things in perspective if you waiver on the brink of becoming what we amusingly call “A FOSTER FAILURE” – meaning you can’t let go and adopt the dog yourself.  And that’s OK too!

What I tell our foster parents when they get weak in the heart and knees is this:  You can help this ONE DOG for the next 12 years OR you can let go and help 12 more dogs this year.   It’s a choice.

HOW IT WORKS

We sit down and communicate the old-fashioned way – we have a conversation.  In that conversation we make a bucket list of all the who, what, where, when and why’s.  

Next we find the dog that meets your criteria and skill level.  I bring the dog in to evaluate, bathe and groom.  If there is more veterinary care to be address we do it.  When we’re confident the dog is good to go you take the leash.

Some fosters supply the kibble (+miscellaneous) and receive a tax donation letter at the end of the year that indicates the dollar value of what they’ve spent.  The other options is that we supply what you need.

Depending on your comfort level the dog is either seen at your home by appointment and ALL CANDIDATES ARE SCREENED IN ADVANCE.  Otherwise the dogs can be seen at Aunt Mary’s.  FYI – after years of service Aunt Mary is now too tired to stage and attend public adoptions.  She’d rather take less dogs and spend more time with each pooch and proceed more like an adoption agency.

This pretty much sums it up.  Call 908-362-1333 or e:mail auntmarysdoghouse@yahoo.com with questions and TO GET STARTED!

Below you’ll find feedback from a few of our former foster volunteers.

What Other Volunteers Have To Say

“I volunteer because I feel many people work with homeless people and not enough volunteers know about all the homeless animals who can’t speak for themselves and don’t have anyone looking out for them.” Debbie from Chatham

 

“People that work rescue have a very strong bond. It makes volunteering to save homeless animals the best experience in the world. I will do this as long as I can, with every resource I can, every minute that I can. I will tell you why– because the pay is great. By pay I mean the feeling I get in my heart.” Claudine from Randolph

 

“Fostering has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. It is so hard to let each one go, but when I think I am helping one more dog out of a shelter find a new life, it’s worth it.   Just one person/family can make a difference.” Denise from Cedar Grove

”Our family fostered 5 newborn puppies.  For me it was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life.  Knowing that my efforts helped save these puppies made me proud.” Tom Z from Cedar Grove

 

What Kids Say –

 

“Fostering dogs is great! You get to meet all new dogs. Sometimes you have to give them up but you know you are doing something great for a dog and making a person happy.” Michael age 10

 

“It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to experience helping the dogs. It means a lot to me that they find wonderful places to spend their lives and I was a part of it. It’s even more worth it when you see them happy.” Paige age 13