Meet the Caring People Who Foster Dogs March 14-16 in Chantilly

What part do foster families and organizations play in preparing a pet for its forever home? Visitors to an upcoming event at the Dulles Expo Center, Chantilly March 14-16 can find out. There will be nine nonprofit animal foster and rescue organizations and an association that envisions a future with expanded opportunities to enjoy the companionship of healthy and well-treated pets. They will gather with 150 other exhibitors that celebrate pets.

The first 500 veterans and first responders who sign up at www.vettix.org will receive a free ticket for Friday, March 14.

What characteristics describe a fitting foster family willing to give up a dog they’ve rescued? Bonnie Lundin, who wears many hats at Virginia German Shepherd Rescue, [VGSR] Centreville, said “A foster mentor told me that when he adopts out a dog there’s another space in his home to save another life.” She tells foster recruits that it also helps her to foster by keeping that last little piece of her heart closed. And when people thank her for what she does to help the dogs, she tells them that “it’s our privilege to help the dogs in their time of need.”

Becky Broussard, Vice President of Shenandoah Shephard Rescue, [SSR], Stephens City, said “We try to set up the foster dog for success,” by making sure they will be cared for in the right home. “We verify that a foster applicant’s dog’s vaccinations are up to date. We make a home visit to establish that the environment is safe. If a dog needs to decompress and will not do well in a home with a lot of activity, we try to place him in a quieter home.”

Helen Lake, who adopted Jack from SSR, is a committed volunteer who writes about dog clients in Facebook postings. She’s a boarding coordinator when there aren’t enough foster families to care for a dog and also conducts home visits of potential foster and adoptee families to name just a few of her responsibilities. She admitted that she is not a candidate to foster pets.

Both Lundin and Lake underscored how important it is for foster parents to attend events such as Super Pet Expo this March to share with potential forever families what they can about the pet. “Do they like to ride in a car? Know commands? Know their name? Play with a toy?” Lake tries to learn such things when she first meets a dog to give a leg up to the foster family.

Lundin and Lake mentioned the “foster fail.” In dog rescue circles it describes a foster family that adopts a dog when their role should be to prepare the pet for his/her forever home. Broussard said, “if all of our fosters ‘foster failed’ and adopted their foster dogs, we would no longer have fosters.”

The foster family determines who will adopt their dog at VGSR, said Lundin. Both organizations provide food for fostered pets, if necessary, and pay for vet visits.

VGSR also rescues shepherd mixes said Lundin. Said Lake of SSR, “In spite of Shepherd in our name, we won’t turn our backs on any dog that needs help.” The organization regularly sends rescue parties to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. On one trip, Broussard found Arthur, a mixed lab/husky, hanging out in front of a store. The dog was very thin and at loose ends. When he saw Broussard, he embraced her and subsequently got rescued. [Smart dog.]

Another exhibitor will be Pet Advocacy Network. Its members are retailer/groomers; companion animal suppliers; distributors; manufacturers and manufacturer representatives who “strive to ensure that regulations are balanced, transparent, and conducive to the well-being of both animals and pet caregivers.”

In addition to SSR and VGSR, nonprofits exhibiting at Super Pet Expo will be Akita Rescue Mid Atlantic Coast, Inc; Furever Haven Animal Rescue; K-9 Caring Angels; Katies Kats Island Rescue; Margaret's Saving Grace Bully Rescue; Nalani Horse Rescue and Only Maine Coons Rescue.