Want to make the world a better place in one easy step? Foster a dog or cat. It’s a crucial part of the animal rescue world. It’s also amazing, for you and for the animals. Pets are much more likely to have successful, life-long placements in new homes when they come from a loving foster home.

What does it mean to “foster” an animal?

A foster home is a home (like yours!) that provides temporary shelter, care, and love for pets while they are awaiting placement in a new “forever” home.  As a foster family, you will take a rescued dog/cat into your home, based on the information you provide to the Humane Society of Loudoun County, your needs as a family, and the needs of the animal. 

What makes a good foster home?

If you have some experience with dogs or cats and have a basic understanding of their needs . . . you are a good foster candidate! Dogs and cats are just looking for a little love, meals, walks (dog), and a safe place.

You will care for a foster dog or cat as you would your own pet — providing food, shelter, companionship, and exercise; arranging for pre-approved veterinary care; and supplying patience and love. There may be times you will be asked to house train or work with a dog using simple training techniques or provide socialization for a kitty. HSLC is always there to help.

Some animals may not get along well with other dogs, cats, and/or children. We will work to identify this prior to placement in your home. At the same time, animals will sometimes behave differently in one environment than they do in another. Your observation of the animal’s character and temperament are invaluable. The more we know about an animal’s habits and behavior (positive and negative), the easier it is to match him or her to a potential adopter or in some cases identify a foster home that may be more conducive to his or her needs.

All veterinary care is covered by HSLC. Fosters are only asked to provide food, toys, crates, and other necessities. HSLC has set up a kitten registry to support feline fur babies.

HSLC’s Fosters are required to complete a foster application and then sign a foster agreement. The fostering period can last anywhere from a few days to a month or more.

If you think you can provide a temporary home and the care described above to an available dog or cat, you should consider fostering.

 Why Foster?

• Foster Pets Learn They’re Loved — Watching an animal that has been in a shelter environment, or hurt, or abused, or all of the above enter your home is a magical, beautiful thing. Though they may not be settled yet they surely seem to know they are safe and loved.
• It’s (Usually) So Fun For Your Other Pets, Too — Foster kittens may  end up snuggled close to a big pack of dogs,  an otherwise lazy dog or cat may suddenly find new vigor playing with a new foster.
• You’re Saving Lives — Not only are you helping get animals adopted, but you are freeing up space at shelters for other animals in need.
• Fostering Will Make You Feel Great — It is truly remarkable watching a foster dog or cat transition from a skittish, scared little animal to trusting, flourishing member of a family.  Fostering makes the animal feel better about their world and makes you feel great about yourself.
• Goodbye Is A Happy Ending — Don’t be put off fostering because you think it’ll be too hard when your sweetie gets adopted.  It’s never easy to say goodbye to these beautiful souls, but seeing their happy ending makes it all worthwhile.  And just when that chapter comes to an end there is another one waiting in the wings for a chance to be saved.
• And If You Really Fall In Love… Your foster is always available for you to adopt.

For more information on fostering, visit our website or contact us at foster@humaneloudoun.org

The new year brings 365 days of renewed hope, new goals, and new opportunities to focus on our furry friends. The custom of making New Year’s resolutions has been around for thousands of years. Today, most resolutions revolve around self promises and improvements. But why not make some resolutions around your pets? 

This year, consider your pets when making New Year’s resolutions. Just like us, they could benefit from improvements to their wellness routines. It’s easy. Think about the resolutions that you want for yourself. What makes you happy? What new activity do you want to try? What are the healthy lifestyle changes you want to make? Now, see if you can incorporate your pet into these ideas. 

Here are some New Year’s resolution ideas we think will help promote a happier, healthier year for you and your four-legged friends:.

1. Exercise/Play Regularly

Exercising and playing with your pet is a satisfying experience that can relieve pet stress and lead to relaxation. Playtime can also be a great way for you to get a little exercise at the same time as your pet. An increase in activity (like playing with toys or going on walks) is necessary in order for your pet to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you have a hectic schedule, aim to get in at least 15 minutes of pet playtime/exercise every day. 

2. Brush Daily

One of the best things you can do for your pet is to establish an at-home dental care routine. Both dogs and cats benefit from teeth brushing. At an early age, pets can develop dental disease which causes them pain. The build-up of plaque, tartar, and gingivitis can worsen their problems. You can start by brushing your pet’s teeth a few nights a week and working up to daily brushings. Try keeping your pets toothpaste and toothbrush in a spot that you see daily as a friendly reminder. 

3. Groom Often

While you’re making a resolution to brush your pet’s teeth daily, why not include regular grooming? Grooming your pet can remove excess fur from the coat and reduce the amount you find on your clothes and furniture. It can also help to keep their coat shiny and healthy. Plus, a majority of pets love to be groomed. 

4. Eating Better

This is the perfect time to evaluate what, when and how much your pet is eating. Resolve to ensure that your pet is eating the proper diet for their age and nutritional requirements. Don’t just eyeball the amount of food you are giving them, use proper measuring cups. Also, stay mindful of the food your pet is eating: both meals and treats. No more table scraps. Try healthier snack options like homemade pet treats.

5. Keep Up to Date

Entering a new year, it is a good time to make sure your pet has an updated tag and microchip information. Maybe you’ve recently moved to a new house, changed your phone number or maybe your pet has lost their ID tag? Making sure their information is up to date is the best way to ensure a lost pet can make their way safely home. 

In addition to their info, establishing regular check-ins with a vet makes sure their health is up to date. Common chronic issues (like diabetes and arthritis) can be managed better when diagnosed early. Regular vet visits mean earlier detection, which will lengthen your pet’s healthy years. Making sure your pets get their yearly checkups and shots is even more crucial if they have entered their senior years. 

6. Volunteer

Still in need of another New Year’s resolution? Why not make one of your resolutions about helping your local animal shelter or rescue organization. Whether it is by fostering a rescue pet, making a monetary or food donation, or volunteering your time, giving back is one of the best resolutions you can make for the upcoming year! 

Follow this link to learn more about volunteering through the Humane Society of Loudoun County.

Follow this link to learn more about fostering through the Humane Society of Loudoun County.

Because the Humane Society of Loudoun County is a foster-based rescue – WE NEED FOSTERS – especially dog fosters. Fostering saves lives. If you have ever thought about fostering, now is the time. We need your help to help them.

HSLC rescues both cats and dogs. The problem we have right now is our lack of foster homes for dogs. Over the last few years we have helped many dogs from some overcrowded shelters – all sweet, loving dogs that just needed an understanding foster to teach them what it means to be loved.  Right now we can’t take in dogs because we don’t have fosters. The picture below is of some of the fabulous dogs we have helped.

How do you foster a dog or cat without getting attached? You don’t. You love them with all your heart. From the minute you bring him home, there’s no better feeling than getting him out of the shelter, giving him his first hug, cleaning him up, and watching what happens when he finally finds out what family is and starts to fall in love with the world.

Sometimes it just takes a few days, and sometimes it takes months. But when his fur shines and he’s smiling nonstop, that’s when you know your job’s almost done.  You’ll want to keep him. You’ll cry. You’ll say no one is good enough for him. But when you see him with his new forever family, and see the love in their eyes, you’ll know that you gave him this life and he gave you the sweetest memories. You’d much rather cry over him going home than over him being stuck in a shelter.

The house might be empty without him but that just means one thing – there’s room for someone else who needs you, who will steal your heart all over again.

(adapted from “The Dodo”)

Contact us at foster@humaneloudoun.org for more information about fostering or visit https://humaneloudoun.org/adopt/fosters-needed/

by Heather Nokes

Have you ever been to a shelter or looked at adoptable pets online, and most of them seem older? Distinguished grey faces. Lovely cloudy eyes. Unfortunately designated retirement homes for these pets are rare, so these animals need a loving home to live out the rest of their golden years. 

What do we mean by “senior?”

Dogs are considered senior between the ages of 7 and 11, depending on size; while cats are considered senior at the age of 10. It is often at this time that they begin showing age-related changes: loss of vision, loss of hearing, weight gain, loss of energy, and/or arthritis and other joint problems. These changes are common reasons for senior pets to be surrendered to rescues and shelters. While these ailments might seem daunting, most of them are easily treated with regular veterinary care and medications. Love and patience also help! 

What you see is what you get! 

When first adopting a pet, it is most likely that you will want to get to know them. With senior pets, they have an established personality and, as AdoptaSeniorPet.org says, what you see is what you get with a senior pet! In comparison to a puppy or kitten, you do not need to wait months for their personality to blossom. It is also more likely that senior pets have experience with people, just as a seasoned pet owner does with animals. They know what they like just as you do. Again, what you see is what you get!

Senior pets also tend to be more loyal. They are grateful to be around people, to have toys, and to be fed. It is not hard to please them. They tend to be more relaxed than a young pet; napping and eating all day is enough for them to be happy. Unlike puppies and kittens, senior pets do not demand constant attention. They don’t need to play as often, and they do not need as much training! 

Save a life! 

Possibly the best reason to adopt a senior pet is the fact that you are saving a life. Many senior pets in rescues and shelters don’t find a home due to the fact that they are not as outgoing and active as younger animals. They just don’t “stand out.” This also means that they tend to be euthanized if health issues arise or if space in the shelter is needed. By adopting a senior pet, you are quite literally saving a life while making your life more fulfilling in return. Be a hero and adopt a senior pet!

By Madeleine Devost

Hops and Malt are two special needs cats with a rough past. Before they were rescued by the Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC), they experienced a horror story—living in a windowless cement office building for three years with up to thirteen other cats. When they came to us, Hops and Malt were terrified of people and it became very clear that they would need a loving home with a patient owner.

Lucky for them, Hops and Malt found Jennifer, a wonderful HSLC volunteer and foster.

Although they began to slowly come out of their shell for Jennifer, Hops and Malt were uncomfortable around other people. This made adoption events very difficult for them. Like many cats, they did not show well at these events which reduced their chances of being adopted. Their severe dust allergies posed another challenge. Jennifer had to take extra special care of the pair as they endured ongoing allergy shots.

Despite their issues, Jennifer fell in love with Hops and Malt and all of their unique quirks. Throughout the foster experience, she realized that Hops and Malt would have a hard time finding a home that they would feel comfortable in as much as they did in hers.  So after roughly 18 months, she decided to adopt them.  When a foster parent decides to keep their foster, it is called a “foster fail.”  Jennifer has foster failed three times, all with black cats for which she has a very soft spot.

Cynthia O’Connell decided to sponsor Hops and Malt’s adoption fees through our Guardian Angel program after finding them on our website. Hops and Malt are the second and third cats that Cynthia has helped out through this program. Her living arrangement won’t allow for more pets so she finds the program to be an incredibly rewarding way to make sure that HSLC’s amazing animals find great homes. She’s looking forward to doing it again soon.

The HSLC is overjoyed that Hops and Malt have found such a loving home and two new ‘siblings,’ Janxi and Charlie. Special thanks to Jennifer and Cynthia for giving these special cats their happy ending.