Awww, she’s soooo cute, Mommy! Can we keep her? So Mommy replies, “Let’s see what Daddy says”, passing the buck. Then Daddy gets home, tired after a long day at work, and just wants to relax. “Daddy, we saw the cutest kitty (or puppy) and Mommy said if you said yes, we could keep her! Okay, Daddy, okay? Please? PLEASE?!” So Daddy says yes and the adventure begins. Or maybe misadventure.
The family soon learns that a kitten or puppy requires a lot of work to take care of them. There are costs of pet food, litter, bedding, toys, and collars, not to mention vet costs for checkups, shots, and neutering. And who’s responsible for the day-to-day care of the new family member? Or, rather, who continues doing it when the newness and cuteness wears off? If you’ve been there you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Then comes enduring the life cycle of your pet as they get older and require more care, until they pass on amidst many shed tears. So, are pets worth it all? Yes, absolutely! They offer so much love, joy, and comfort that many people own several pets over their lifetime.
But what if your family has never had a pet and want to have a “trial” period before taking the plunge of ownership? Or maybe you want to experience caring for a pet but for whatever reason just can’t commit to a long-term care situation?
Good News Bob has a suggestion, based on personal experience. Have you ever considered fostering a puppy or kitten? It’s actually quite wonderful for multiple reasons. It can introduce your family to the responsibilities it takes to own and care for a pet long-term without a long-term commitment. You get that new pet cuteness and then return them for adoption after just two to four weeks. Or, you can decide to adopt them yourself and keep them permanently if they steal your heart.
Our twin girls, Rachel and Rebekah, have been fostering kittens from the Abandoned Animal Rescue (AAR) facility in Magnolia for the last couple of years. And there are definite benefits to becoming a Foster Parent. Here’s a list taken directly from AAR’s website:
Foster Parent Benefits:
- Fostering is free of financial expenditure.AAR provides the necessary food, litter, medications, etc. needed for our foster animals. Reimbursement will be provided with prior approval.
- Fostering is funand full of ever changing and entertaining experiences.
- Fostering provides a realistic outletfor animal lovers who must put a cap on the number of their own personally owned pets.
- Fostering provides ready-made hugs and kisses in an ever-changing variety of sizes and colors.
- Fostering will enhance your photography and video skills as you document every cute furry thing your temporary pet does.
- Fostering is an automatic entry into a groupof like-minded individuals.
- Fostering provides enriched household experiencewhere everyone learns about animal care, responsibility, and respect for living beings.
- Fostering provides personal fulfillment and satisfaction.There is nothing as wonderful as knowing that you are helping to save homeless pets and ready them for adoption into forever homes.
- Fostering makes a small piece of the world just a little better.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about fostering, or, better yet, find out more about AAR directly at their site. They’ve been fantastic to work with and I’m confident you won’t regret it!
And remember, as “Good News” Bob I have over 17 years’ experience helping clients with their real estate needs. Because giving good service is what my dad taught me, and it’s just the right thing to do. Experience Good News!
