CCRezQ’s is looking for foster families to help dogs in need of a home.
What started as a “pet project” between two friends, has grown exponentially over the years. The pair saw a need to help dogs that were living in northern Saskatchewan communities, and being neglected. The stray dog population in the north led the pair to help a few dogs – 7 years and hundreds of dogs later – the need continues to grow..
Foster families are what make this project possible. Intake on new dogs only happens when foster families are available. Without foster families – no dogs can be helped.
Stephanie Senger is the Foster and Vet Care Coordinator for CCRezQ’s, and she says a lack of foster families often leaves dogs out in the cold. During the pandemic many people sought companionship from four legged friends. Pet adoptions rose and now with the realities of a busy work life and less time on hand, many people are surrendering their puppies – which is putting a strain on the rescue’s resources.
“We don’t operate out of a facility. Every dog rescued, needs to be placed with a family. I can’t bring in dogs until I have fosters available. Sometimes that means dogs need to stay where they are until care is available.”
Senger says puppies adopted during the pandemic are putting a strain on the organization.
” I was cautiously optimistic as the pandemic went on that people were still adopting. We have seen a slight increase in the number of surrenders. Lifestyle factors and changes in schedules as life returns back to work. Which is hard – now we have to use foster homes for surrenders and not just the dogs coming from rural communities. Even a slight increase in surrenders puts more dogs back in care and using up foster homes. That has been a struggle.”
Understanding the time and energy necessary for having a dog is something that should be considered before a family takes on a new animal says Senger;
“We don’t surrender humans when we feel overwhelmed. Families have to remember the time and energy it takes to make sure the dog is happy and functioning. Know the commitment is 15ish years and be ready for the ups and downs of that timeline.”
Senger encourages anyone interested in fostering a dog to get in touch via the rescue’s website and facebook page. Senger says the requirements are pretty simple.
“We get newborns all the way up to 10 year old dogs. We let people have the freedom to decide the age, but we need people to know there is work involved, to get these dogs use to home life. The most important thing to have is the willingness to help – and a little bit of understanding.”
For more information or to become a foster family please visit CCRezQs website here.
