A volunteer at the HBSPCA is taking scared and uncertain puppies and dogs and helping them get ready to meet their new parents. Sandra Holmes started volunteering as a foster parent in June 2023. She’s taken in nine dogs – all female – since.
Fostering is an incredibly rewarding experience that provides a loving and temporary home for deserving companion animals. By opening one’s heart and home to an animal in need, you become a vital part of our mission to create a better world for the animals in our communities.
Sandra’s not quite sure why she decided to start fostering. She’s a nurse and her daughters are young adults. Over time she decided it would be good to try – to make a difference. She put her name forward and was happy when she was accepted.
She’s usually had one dog at a time, but a couple of times has had two at the same time.
She said the number of dogs available to be fostered ebbs and flows. There is an online board that offers educational materials for fostering and lists all the pets available for fostering. You then ask for more information, and you could be matched with that dog.
Of course, volunteers must have a criminal reference check and there are modules online that you must complete for your preferred kind of pet. Sandra has gone through the modules for puppies and dogs, so she is ready to foster them at any time.
The length of time she has the fosters depends on where they are in their journey. She has had them from a weekend to a month – so an average of about three weeks.
Their journey means that a lot of them have gone through some kind of trauma caused by the abuse or neglect that caused them to be surrendered to the HBSPCA.
“They need to be in a quiet place, away from the noise of the shelter,” she said. “Once they’re in a home, they can relax.” Becoming a foster parent for animals is a deeply rewarding journey filled with compassion, healing, and love.
Foster parents’ dedication leaves a lasting impact on their lives and yours. Every moment spent nurturing these vulnerable beings contributes to a future where all animals are valued and cared for.
Before she became a foster parent, she had to bring her own dogs in for an assessment to see if they would be amenable to having other animals in their home.
Her own dog is a four-year-old golden retriever/lab cross, Willow. She’s laid back and relaxed with the visitors to their home. She will lie with the newcomers and let them sleep with her; so lovely.
Her daughter has a three-year-old cockapoo named Honeybee. Sandra says the experience brings the whole family together.
“Everyone has to be on board,” she says. “You do need help to care for them and socialize them.“
Is it hard to give up a foster dog?
“Absolutely,” says Sandra. “You form a special bond. But I also have to remember that I can’t keep them all.”
Sandra’s 81-year-old Dad says – every time – “you have to keep this one!”
One thing that really helps is that she gets to meet with the potential adopter at the meet and greet. She says that makes her feel so much better that she is part of the process.
What Does Sandra Have to say to Potential foster volunteers?
“It’s just such a wonderful experience,” she says. “Really and truly, they’ve been through so much and to watch them come in and relax and give back unconditional love – it’s amazing.”Sandra also points out that Amanda and Natalie, in the foster department, are just wonderful.
“They are amazing – approachable, and they offer all the support you need,” she said. Sandra is one of those wonderful people who make it possible for dogs, cats, and other small animals to have the best chance at a new life.
Thank you, Sandra from all nine fosters you have helped so far – and from the whole HBSPCA team!
Why is The Role of a Foster Parent Invaluable?
Pets in foster care receive essential personal attention and affection, crucial for their well-being, particularly during their most vulnerable moments. Your home becomes their safe haven, where they can learn to trust, love, and recover. By opening your heart and home you are preparing them for their forever family. Foster parents do not just provide a place to rest; but they offer them a fresh start in life.
Some animals need a short-term placement for a few days or a few weeks while they wait for their furever family. By becoming a short-term foster, you offer a loving and comfortable environment while our animals transition from being a shelter pet to an adopted one.
Some animals need additional time to recover from trauma or illness or to find their perfect furever family. By becoming a long-term foster, you offer a steady and nurturing environment, aiding in their healing journey until they're prepared for their permanent home.
Share your heart in their final days. This compassionate commitment involves caring for terminally ill animals, ensuring they live their remaining days surrounded by love, comfort, and dignity. It's a profound act of kindness, honouring their lives by providing peace, comfort, and joy in their final chapter.
Supporting a foster home means becoming part of a caring community. Whether through donations, supplies, or spending time with the animals, you contribute to their well-being, ensuring they receive the love and resources they need. Together, we strive for a world where every animal is cherished.
By Pearl Wolfe
