At Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS), there is a dedicated group of volunteers that foster and take care of animals that come through the shelter. Sometimes, these animals need a different environment than the one provided at SAS. Other times, an animal may need extra one-on-one training that can be provided by a foster parent in their own home.
Foster parents Karen S. and Bill H. are two of the shelter’s valued Critter Foster Parents that help the shelter’s smaller animals (think birds and rabbits) on their journey to a forever home. We had the chance to chat with Bill about his (and Karen’s) fostering experience.
How long have you been fostering?
About 20 years ago, Karen fostered SAS kittens for a couple of years. About 10 years ago, we talked with a shelter representative at the Seattle Dog Show and learned about critter fostering. We’ve been fostering critters ever since.
What made you want to foster?
We were interested in helping out the shelter; well, to be honest, we were interested in helping out the animals. We were especially interested in helping support the shelter’s work. We had a nervous cat, so fostering dogs and cats wasn’t going to work. We decided to try critters.
What is the best thing about fostering?
We love getting to meet and know the animals we foster. Each one has a unique personality and we like to get to know them. We are always amazed at the ability for interspecies understanding when two living beings want to connect.
Why do you believe fostering is important?
Through fostering, we have helped animals rebuild trust in humans; learn how to live with humans in a home; understand how to interact with a human; and recover their health in a less stressful environment. Of course, it also reduces the load on the shelter staff and frees space for new animals. We especially like to foster chinchillas – to give them a chance to get their sleep during the day so they can party all night.
How has fostering made a lasting impact on your life?
We found out we love rabbits. We had no idea how engaging they are and what personalities they have. We’ve had fosters that were immediately affectionate and some that need some more time to warm up to us. We had one foster, Hershey, that was the perfect house rabbit. He came when called, sat in our laps, and never nibbled on wires or furniture. Teddy, another foster, was very smart and eager for interaction. Unlike Hershey, he did have a penchant for chewing on electric cords. Our current foster, Harvey, craves human contact and snuggling next to us for ear massages and petting. It’s fun getting to interact with all these types of personalities.
Fostering has had a huge impact on us during the time of COVID. We needed the animals as much as they needed us. Nurturing an animal in need helps us feel needed, important, and connected. We think this is true as we age. Karen has retired and felt some of the effects of not feeling valuable to society any more. Fostering is a great way to stay connected to important work.
We had an amazing experience with two mice. One of them, Kate, was ill, and we had to medicate her a couple of times a day. Her friend would attack us as we tried to reach in for little Kate to give her meds. As soon as we put Kate back in the cage, her friend would check her all over and curl up next to her. It was a beautiful friendship; witnessing special connections like this has taught us that animals care for each other as much as we humans care for each other.
What advice would you give to first-time fosters?
Choose an easy animal – not necessarily one that you are drawn to, but one that is easy to care for. Learn the foster system and how it works, how communication happens, etc. We would also say don’t be afraid to learn how to do something new – medicate a mouse, rinse an abscess, weigh a baby rabbit, etc. You will be amazed at the new skills you will develop and the confidence that comes with it. We would also say don’t be afraid to take on an animal that requires more from you – more time, more patience, more care. It’s a growing experience.
We have remained committed to fostering rather than adopting the ones we love because we feel it’s important to have strong foster homes for animals in need. Once we adopt, we won’t have capacity to care for fosters as much. We cry when they leave, and we are happy we have done our job and sent them off to their forever home.
Do you have a foster story you’re particularly proud of or excited about?
We fostered Flori, a Florida white rabbit, who had a lot of personality. She lost what trust she ever had in people and would lunge at caregivers at the shelter. She had become the “demon” rabbit. We took her in — and through hours of sitting with her and reading body language, we learned her hot buttons and her likes. Dried strawberries were her weakness and we made use of those for training her to come closer, to touch us, and to allow touch. Being very smart, she was easily bored. We discovered dog puzzles (now known in our house as rabbit puzzles) and stuck dried strawberries into the little slots. After a week or two, Flori was working that puzzle in less than 30 seconds.
We despaired of Flori ever finding a home, given her peculiarities, but love did come her way; she is now happily in the home of the SAS exotic animals foster coordinator and is a beloved companion to one of her cats.
Anything else you’d like to share about your experiencing fostering with SAS?
Thank you for this opportunity to share our story. We haven’t mentioned how much we appreciate the staff at SAS. In a good year, they have so much to deal with and always face tough decisions with animals. We know they see many things that can’t be unseen, yet continue to work for the betterment of the animals. We know that this year has been extremely difficult. It’s difficult, as volunteers, to know that because of COVID we can’t be there to help. We are hoping that by taking in several of the animals, we can be of some help.
What would you say to supporters/donors of Seattle Animal Shelter and the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation?
The supporters, donors and members of SASF play a valuable role in providing resources — economic, political, and legal — in our service to animals and their humans in Seattle. The long-term, ongoing commitment of SASF, other supporters and donors has been valuable in building the hard-working, committed shelter we currently have. The constancy of this support has continued to make the shelter stable and growing in its influence.
If you’re interested in supporting Seattle Animal Shelter and its programs, consider donating to the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation.