'It's worth the tears': Animal rescues in need of more foster families

Foster dog. (Amanda Anderson/CTV News Edmonton)

The rising number of animals winding up in the care of animal rescues in Alberta means the need for foster families is also growing.

"We rely on fostering very, very heavily," said Leigh Melligan, operations manager at the Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS) in Edmonton.

"We do our best to make the shelter as comfortable as we can, but it's not a home, and it's not intended to be a home," Melligan added.

Still, it's an unfortunate reality for some animals.

"Their family is our rescue centre team and the volunteers," said Amanda Annetts, with Second Chance Animal Rescue Society (SCARS).

One eight-year-old dog named Turbo has been at the SCARS Morinville shelter for nearly a year.

"They're very relaxed, their energy levels are very low, they're very easy to take care of but we still can't even find an adoptive home or foster for them," said Annetts.

"Ideally, we would like to bring them in, get them into a foster home within about six months, but we have animals here that have been here for two years. And the crazy part is you'll see some of the amazing animals that we have. There's nothing wrong with them," she said.

As of the beginning of November SCARS had more than 475 animals in its care but only about 200 active foster homes.

"If we had even 100 more foster homes today that would be so beneficial for all the dogs waiting for placement," said Annetts.

On average AARCS has 600 to 700 animals in its care. Even though it has a roster of 800 fosters across the province, it said more are needed.

"A lot of those foster homes are constantly filled," said Melligan.

"Fostering does take up a lot of heart and I think it's fair to allow our fosters to have some time if they have a foster animal they've really loved and have just let go," she said adding, "sometimes they need a bit of a break."

"Fostering is nice because you can have the animals without necessarily having all of the financial stress and strain," said Summer Scott.

She first started fostering as a young adult and couldn't afford all of the bills that came with pet ownership.

"The rescue that you're working with pays for everything. So they will take care of all the food that you need. Any of the vet or medical expenses that come with the animal," said Scott.

"Your job is literally just to let them live in your house and love them until they get adopted."

Scott has fostered for a number of different rescues over the years and has lost count of how many animals she's welcomed into her home and heart.

"It's high double digits, maybe little triple digits now between dogs, cats and different small animals as well," she said.

After years of experience, Scott now tends to foster animals with behavioural issues.

She's currently fostering a one-year-old girl named Myr.

"She is just really nervous with new people. She's been in care for a very long time with very little interest mostly because she's not what you'd consider the perfect dog," said Scott.

She said they're working on leash control and her reaction around new people, which is usually to bark.

"It's more of a fear-based reaction, not an aggression-based reaction," she said.

Fosters play a pivotal role in finding out what an animal's personality is really like.

"People don't understand the emotional and mental turmoil that it takes on a dog being in a shelter environment," said Scott. "Foster homes are nice because it allows a dog to open up and show their true colours."

"After 48 hours you kind of see them decompress," said Annetts. "You'll see them relax, you'll see them just kind of be at home versus being at a rescue centre."

That provides information that can help rescues find the perfect permanent home.

"Are they going to get along with kids? Do they know how to ride in a car? How are they on leash? Those kind of things that we may or may not see in a shelter environment," said Melligan.

Rescue organizations said one of the main reasons people shy away from fostering is fear of getting attached to the animal they're caring for.

"It's gut wrenching. You get so attached," said Scott.

But the long-time foster said there's one thing people need to remember.

"It's worth the tears and worth the sadness of them leaving, because without you, some of them wouldn't survive," she said.

When it comes time to part with a foster, Scott plans a special day complete with treats.

"They don't really understand that I'm a temporary home so there's that feeling of abandonment that comes on their side so it's really important that I have a very special day with them," said Scott.

In most cases, Scott said she's been able to keep in touch or get updates from her foster's new families.

"At the end of the day, they're going to their forever family and I made an impact in their life," she said.

"That is very much worth the tears that might come when I say goodbye to them."