There are many sad stories at SC4Pets Network and because of our wonderful foster families many of these stories have happy endings. Sadly though, some of these wonderful pets are still waiting for their forever home.
One of our stories is about sweet Skidz, a beautiful 8 year old black and white male cat whose family home caught on fire and he was left behind in the garage. Poor Skidz suffered from smoke inhalation and had to be hospitalized while he recuperated. Even sadder is that after the fire his family no longer wanted him and he was relinquished to SC4Pets. We think the reason poor Skidz was in the garage was because he had pancreatitis and the family did not want to deal with the diarrhea in the house. So Skidz was placed in one of our wonderful foster homes and given good care and he is now the picture of health. No more diarrhea. Skidz is, however, still at his foster home while he searches for his new forever home.
A story with a happier ending involves Hope, a 12 year old min pin that our volunteers pulled from HSCA because they were going to euthanize her just because she was blind and deaf and they needed to make room for more adoptable pets. Hope’s foster family knew the chances of her being adopted were pretty slim because no one wants a senior dog let alone one that is blind and deaf. But they were ok with her living out the rest of her life in their home and receiving the love and care she needed. Happily, something wonderful happened for Hope, she was seen on Petfinder and an application was filled out for her. Her new mom plays the organ at a memory care retirement community and knew that Hope would be perfect as a therapy dog for the residents. Hope loves to be held like a baby and she really enjoys getting all the love and attention lavished on her by the residents. She is a big hit with the residents and even gets some of the quieter residents to respond to her. This is definitely a win-win situation for both Hope and the residents.
So just who are foster parents? Foster parents are the wonderful caring people who open their hearts and homes to the many homeless animals rescued by the SC4Pets Network. The public sees SC4Pets volunteers in many roles but they seldom see the faces of these wonderful foster heroes. Heroes they truly are. They are the ones who rise every few hours to bottle feed orphaned kittens or puppies. The foster families reorganize their lives around their charges needs and risk losing their heart to every animal that comes into their home. They are the ones who have to face the bittersweet goodbyes. Sometimes, in spite of giving everything they can, a puppy or kitten just doesn’t have the strength to make it or a dog or cat develops a health issue that just cannot be cured. The foster families must take comfort in knowing that, thanks to their efforts, the forgotten soul was remembered and knew, for whatever length of time, what it meant to be secure and loved. Success also is bittersweet and also means saying goodbye. Foster families’ shed tears of both sadness and joy as their cats or dogs leave them for their new homes and families.
So what on earth would make anyone want to volunteer for such a job? Two things: compassion and commitment. We at Second Chance 4 Pets Network know and celebrate the compassion and commitment of all of our foster parents. We realize that not everyone has the capacity to be foster parent but we ask that you at least consider helping these poor innocent creatures. It is one of the most rewarding experiences you could ever know. And most importantly, you just might just be saving a life. Without our foster parents we cannot help the many kittens, puppies, cats and dogs out there that need us. Right now we have several pets in need of help but we don’t have any foster homes available. Won’t you please consider being a foster parent for the Second Chance 4 Pets Network? For more information please contact the SC4Pets Network by going to our website, www.sc4pets.org and completing a foster parent application. Or call us at 219-771-6768 or email us at sc4pets@att.net. We need your help! They need your help! Please help us to save a life by volunteering with us today.