Furry Paws Doggy Day Care in Midtown is currently fostering Zoe & Blackie. Lisa, the owner, loves helping by fostering at least two large dogs at a time.

-verb

Dictionary definitions:

1. To promote the growth or development of

2. To bring up or raise

3. To feed or nourish

Rescue definitions:

1.To save a life

2.To show an animal love and compassion

3.To make a PAW-sitive difference

Paws 4 You Rescue has saved over a thousand dogs since it's inception in 2006. A crucial role in ensuring that rescued dogs are adopted is being able to place them in foster homes. Being in foster care allows those dogs who are under socialized, previously abused, scared, or simply too rambunctious for their own good to learn critical skills needed for adoption. It is amazing to see the most scared or sick dog be healed simply by having a warm bed and individual attention from a foster home. Healing an emotionally or physically injured animal doesn't happen over night, but the difference between before and after are as distinct as night and day.

So what exactly is a foster home? A foster home is any home that can serve as a temporary shelter for an animal that is up for adoption until

Ceira with with her foster Jaggar

that animal can be permanently placed. Foster homes often times have other pets, but some people who can't commit to having their own pet long- term turn to fostering animals. Fostering is also a great way to find out more about a specific type of dog you've been considering adopting. A foster home is emotionally and financially responsible for daily care of their foster animal, including its meals, exercise, socialization, training, and grooming, while Paws 4 You continues to be responsible for any medical costs that animal might incur during it's stay in foster care. Additionally, since foster parents often spend more time with an animal than the rescue organization, they are usually called upon to report on the behavioral tendencies and personality of that foster animal when potential adopters have questions.

Gail with her foster dog Mama. Mama has three more pups in her litter available for adoption: Annie, Ozzie & Tinker

An ideal foster home candidate is anyone who is willing to take on the responsibilities of having a dog for a short period of time. This can range anywhere from one to four weeks. Foster homes will have to be up to the challenge of caring for and teaching a dog as it acclimates to a new environment.  Patience is critical on the human's part as being a foster parent means being able to handle potential doggie disasters, like inappropriate chewing, housebreaking accidents, etc! The good news is that Paws 4 You has a dedicated volunteer staff that can provide you with the tools and resources needed to set you and your foster dog up for success! Paws 4 You Rescue also works to match its foster dogs with foster homes through the same process that dogs are matched for adoption, meaning we'll only assign you a foster dog we know you can handle.

Yuki with her foster Scarlett

The biggest reason we hear about why more people aren't willing to foster a dog is because of the deep emotional connection foster parents will make with their foster dogs. But, trust us - it's better to have loved and lost, especially when losing your dog means that that dog has found it's forever home and will never again have to feel pain, abandonment, fear, or emotional distress. A potential feeling of sadness is expected when you sign up to be a foster home but the feeling of knowing you were responsible for saving a dog's life is well worth it! Plus, it does get easier with each and every new foster.

Interested foster home participants can complete the Foster Care Application on the Foster Page of our website.  Once it's received, a volunteer will be in touch to set up a meeting to discuss in detail the Foster Care Program and answer any questions you may have.

We're happy to introduce a sales promotion arrangement with Buzzy's Bow Wow Meow which benefits all of us. When you order pet supplies from their online store 50% of the profits go directly to benefit an animal organization you choose, such as Paws 4 You Rescue! You can purchase products your pets need at competitive prices and contribute to our animal organization from that sale.

Buzzy's Bow Wow Meow is a companion animal retail store located in suburban Philadelphia, PA which sells high quality products at competitive prices providing experience and knowledge to all customers. They have a mission to improve the lives of companion animals and the humans who love them. This socially oriented pet supermarket is now available online with an extensive variety of healthy foods, stimulating toys, all kinds of supplies, products and accessories for dogs, cats and pigs. Their brand name merchandise is carefully chosen to be nutritious, organic, safe and lots of fun for your "best friends".

Buzzy's e-commerce site offers this unique concept. They share 50% of all profits from the sales with animal welfare organizations who promote the health, welfare, rescue and advocacy of companion animals. The profits generated are distributed among the animal welfare organizations listed on their site, including Paws 4 You Rescue.

So, when you need to buy products and supplies for your pets, as we all do, why not visit Buzzy's e-commerce site to make purchases at competitive prices which also benefit wonderful animal welfare organizations simply by making a purchase.  In these tough economic times, we all are challenged to afford the necessities before being able to make any donations. This profit sharing arrangement by Buzzy's allows you to purchase pet items you need and gives us a much needed contribution from that sale.

Enter Coupon Code: 10off to receive a 10% credit through 4/30/12.