Foster Testimonials
Hear firsthand from some of our Five Acres Foster Families about their experiences welcoming a shelter pet into their home.
Sandy & Justin
“When I first met Sandy, she was very reactive to other dogs. She did everything she could to run up to them and be right in the middle of the action—it was a lot! I knew I would have my hands full, but I was determined to help her not only find the right home, but also overcome her reactivity.”
“With patience and plenty of walks alongside my own dogs, things gradually got easier. Sandy went from absolutely needing to be in my dogs’ business during every walk to becoming calm and content, simply enjoying her time outside. She even found a friend in my cat!”
“I cared for Sandy for almost two months, and the day I got the news that someone was interested in adopting her, I was thrilled! Sandy deserved so much love, and from what I’ve heard, her forever family includes another dog she adores. I’m so grateful to have given Sandy a safe and loving place to stay while she waited for the home she truly deserved.”
Sandy was adopted and is thriving in her new home!”
Jane & Co.
“It has been a really great experience fostering with Five Acres. The canine team matches the dog to the family and are available for questions.The main role of the foster is to give a safe place for the dog to decompress and learn more about them. We have fostered 2 days or 2 weeks, to a few months at a time. After their time with us we were then able to answer questions about habits and manners. It’s really rewarding to know that you were part of the dog’s journey to a forever home. I love being a foster and there were some tears but lots of laughter and memories.”
“Ginger’s owner had died and she needed a safe place to grieve.
Sage was recovering from skin allergies and wasn’t feeling her best.
Dream was 11 months wild adolescent and needed structure and basic commands.
Daisy May was a lovely 4 yr old that wanted to hang out. Stark didn’t like many people and disliked men.
We found out that Vinnie didn’t like men and found a female-only home.
Elaine was with us for a few days and was really cute. The neighbors ask about her.
Our favorite foster was Snow White who was found with her seven puppies. Snow White was painfully skinny and we provided a safe home to recover in. All the dogs we fostered found their forever homes.”
Dena & Alice
“I have been a dog walker volunteer at Five Acres Animal Shelter for 7 years. My favorite thing to
do with the dogs is to take them in the yard, and simply figure out what that particular dog likes to play around. I found it very entertaining and hilarious to see Alice zoom around the yard, skid to a stop, look around and zoom in the other direction. After that, Alice would press into you for affection and a massage. I began to realize how much Alice needed this as she was filled with anxiety. Knowing Alice’s awful backstory and realizing the anxiety she carried, Alice began to tug at my heart. I kept pushing back, making excuses in my mind of why I couldn’t foster Alice. This went on for months even hoping someone else would foster her. Finally, I knew I had to become a first time foster to Alice. My husband and I have found it so rewarding to be a part of Alice’s journey and see the difference we have made for her.”
A Message from our Behavior & Training Manager, Elizabeth:
“Fostering has such a positive impact on the animals in our care, and really sets them up for success in their future homes! Puppies and kittens benefit greatly from the socialization time, and learning all about how to live in a home. Taking home an adult dog or cat for foster gives us vital information about how they interact with the world around them, which helps staff make great adoption matches. Shy or anxious animals get a chance to decompress away from the noise and bustle of daily shelter life. Some animals with challenging behaviors thrive away from the shelter with a foster parent willing to work with them. Dogs and cats with medical conditions have the chance to rest and heal in the comfort of a home, making their recovery that much easier. Some pets even find their forever home directly because of their foster! Fostering truly helps us save so many lives!”