The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Friendship APL shares need, love of fostering animals
The Friendship Animal Protective League of Lorain County invited those seeking to foster dogs and cats Feb. 17 to a monthly foster orientation. Potential foster parents of four-legged-friends were informed of all there is to know if they choose to apply and eventually become a caretaker. Orientations are at the county animal shelter at 8303 Murray Ridge Road, Elyria. According to Kim Crock, volunteer and summer foster parent and Helena Prosowski, an APL staff member, they seek foster families or parents to care for the newest animals coming to the facility. Both said having foster families is crucial to having a suitable and well-orchestrated facility for all animals that need care. Because of a vast increase of dogs and cats seeking a home, these are the animals most in need of foster care. Foster parents open their homes for a certain amount of time while the animals become vaccinated. Crock said keeping newer animals away from their current animals is best. “Basically, when (dogs or cats) first come in, the less time they spend in the shelter the better, because if they are not vaccinated and some others come in with things we don’t know about, it can infect others already here,” Crock said. Those who foster will monitor and care for dogs for up to three weeks and cats for four to five weeks, Crock added. The APL will supply foster parents with equipment needed, such as: food, medicines, crates, cages, toys, blankets, litter and more.
“It’s so much fun,” Crock said. “It’s such a blast.” To become a foster parent, an applicant must attend an orientation on one Saturday a month. If approved, they will have a home visit done by APL staff to make sure their home is suitable and safe enough to shelter animals. After shots and observations are finished, the animals are ready to stay at the shelter to be put up for adoption and find their forever home. Prosowski said fostering works on several levels. It opens up more room to save more animals, as well as saving that animal who needs to first be sheltered, she said. For dogs or cats who are young or sick, fostering can better help them grow or recover while in a more homey environment, rather than staying at the shelter. Prosowski said fostering gives an animal the chance to experience individualized attention and socialization. She added those who foster and have children are also a plus for both the animal and the child to develop closer relationships. The APL has more than 100 foster parents for their animals, so, having more is better because there are always animals in need, Crock said. “Fostering is needed 365 days a year, especially in the spring, summer and into the early fall for cats and kittens,” Prosowski said. “For puppies, it’s year-around.” Crock said although their shelter provides enough space and care services for plenty of its animals, fostering and volunteering one’s time is helping everyone. “It saves lives on all different levels,” Crock said.