a little more

When I brought Ceni home in 2009, she was a 7-month-old terror who had already been picked up by animal control twice.

In 2010 I started volunteering and fostering for PAWS (Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society) and about a year later I started volunteering at ACCT Philly (Animal Care & Control Team of Philadelphia). Throughout the years I've fostered and volunteered in a variety of capacities for a handful of local rescue organizations.

Ceni (#ItsAlwaysCeni) is still a bit of a terror and doesn't love all other dogs, but she has been amazing with all the fosters who have come and gone. One actually came and stayed (#PapitoMilito) so now Ceni and Papito and a foster make three. That makes for a full house, and my two are both seniors, so we've slowed down a bit with the fostering. I still try to get a couple in a year.

Each foster has their own process and makes progress in their own unique ways on their own timeline, but there are a few mini milestones that are consistent and they keep me coming back for me. One is the first deep deep restful sleep they get away from the noise and anxiety of the shelter, another is when you can first feel them trust you, and one more is the moment they first discover the joy of toys.

Of course I get attached, but that's why I love finding just the right home for each foster. Watching them go off to amazing forever families is part of the joy of the process. It's my responsibility to set the dog and the adopter up for success, so I make every effort to communicate as much as I can about both what to expect from the adoption process and as much as I know about the dog. There will always be some surprises, that's part of the fun of having a dog! But I'm always here to help work through them.

Nearly 18,000 animals enter through Philadelphia's public intake shelter annually. Some of these come from abuse and neglect, including those who have pumped out litter after litter of purebred puppies for people to buy. Some come from loving families who don't have the time, space, resources to provide proper care. Some never leave ACCT, some are adopted there, and many are pulled by wonderful local rescues. If you are ever thinking about adding a pet to your family, please consider adopting from your local animal shelter or rescue!

“And remember folks," as Bob Barker taught us on The Price is Right, "always spay or neuter your pets.”