Have you thought about fostering a dog from a shelter or a rescue? My husband and I began fostering when we lived in Utah approximately 6 years ago. Now I wish I could say that we have fostered many dogs, but that isn’t true. I have become a foster failure. If you’ve checked out my about page, you’ll see my failures, Katie, Trixie and Mr. JoeJo. But I have also had some success, which includes a cute little guy named Charlie, and currently my newest foster Chicky (pictured below).
Fostering a dog is a very rewarding experience. The happiness you get from knowing that you helped save a life and being a temporary stop on their journey to their “furever” home is priceless.
Meet Chicky: 6 yo spayed female, Pekingese/Chihuahua mix who loves to give kisses.
If you are looking for a Shih Tzu to foster or even adopt, please check out Lonestar Shih Tzu & Lhasa Apso Rescue. If you can not foster, or adopt,they have many other volunteer opportunities.
If you are in the central California area, please check out Animal Compassion Team. I can’t thank this rescue enough for all the joy they have brought to my life!!
Facts about U.S. Animal Shelters:
There are about 5,000 community animal shelters nationwide that are independent; there is no national organization monitoring these shelters. The terms “humane society” and “SPCA” are generic; shelters using those names are not part of the ASPCA or the Humane Society of the United States. Currently, no government institution or animal organization is responsible for tabulating national statistics for the animal protection movement.
- Approximately 5 million to 7 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year, and approximately 3 million to 4 million are euthanized (60 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats). Shelter intakes are about evenly divided between those animals relinquished by owners and those picked up by animal control. These are national estimates; the percentage of euthanasia may vary from state to state.
- According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP), less than 2 percent of cats and only 15 to 20 percent of dogs are returned to their owners. Most of these were identified with tags, tattoos or microchips.
- Twenty-five percent of dogs who enter local shelters are purebred. (Source: NCPPSP)
- Only 10 percent of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered, while 78 percent of pet dogs and 88 percent of pet cats are spayed or neutered, according to the American Pet Products Association (Source: APPA).
- More than 20 percent of people who leave dogs in shelters adopted them from a shelter. (Source: NCPPSP)
UPDATE: Chicky is no longer looking for her furever home, she found it with me! I decided in the summer of 2013 that she would stay with me… she bonded with me and I just couldn’t let her go, I think it would have broke her heart.
Hi. Is there a reputable Shih Tzu rescue that you can recommend in Southern California? … or a reputable small dog rescue in Southern California? I would LoVe to read about the step by step process of rescuing, fostering and adopting a dog on your blog. I have NO clue about it. I’ve only just recently owned 1 dog (she in turning 5 yo this year) and have been educating myself from what I read on Facebook. I would love to volunteer at a shelter, but I am not emotionally strong for that. I would be crying everyday, which is what I actually do when I read about all the dogs (especially Shih Tzus) that are at the high kill shelters (I’ve only learned about those). Anyway, I think it would benefit homeless Tzus/dogs if people are exposed to the world of rescues, fostering and adopting … what it takes, what it entails, EVERY step of every thing! Who does the rescuing, how do these dogs get out, how do rescues chose the dogs, who pays for these dogs, how do these dogs get assigned to a foster, how does the foster get the dog, what does the foster do w the dog, do the fosters get paid for anything, how long does the dog stay with the foster, how far does the foster have to be from the rescue group, etc. I don’t know … maybe there’s a how to book that could answer these questions, but I haven’t found one. Thanks so much for your patience. I am self learning and any knowledge will help.
Let me get back to you on this… I will write a post over the weekend to help you out. I often forget that there are people wanting to know more about rescue, fostering and helping any way they can. There is always a place for someone here!!
Thank you!! I am following your blog. Maybe you can have a once a month rescue/fostering/adopting FYI’s for us newbies. Also, if you have any experience or info from your resources regarding different types of shelters ie: high kill, no kill, different rules about holding a stray vs owner surrender, why some owners surrender their “family” member (senior vs adult vs puppies being surrendered) to a shelter, how rescues deal with shelters and the difficulties rescues have to deal with (with some shelters and why). Sorry, these are all my questions, and I actually have more. I get so concerned when I hear the SAD stories of these dogs and they have no voice. I feel like I need to know all the true facts so I can spread the word in an educational and factual manner. I’ve already learned from the ASPCA regarding the differences between their organization and other SPCA’s … they are ALL NOT affiliated with each other at all!! I didn’t know that! Where has my donations been going to?! Oh, that would also be a good topic to go over to … where donations go to, different types of donations, how can you tell if your money is being used appropriately. Someone on FB informed me that some unreputable rescues take the donations to hold a dog in shelter and once they have the money and the dog, then the rescue kills the dog!!!!! Please feel free to email me privately if you want. I am still a beginner. Thank you again, and thank you in advance for whatever info you can provide.