Issue link: https://www.cominghomemag.com/i/1459209
7 Q U E S T I O N S W I T H A P E T F O S T E R PA R E N T Beth Hisey tells us what it takes to care for the most lovable furry friends. Do you enjoy long walks around the neighborhood and snuggling with adorable little pooches? A volunteer job as a pet foster parent might be for you. As a pet foster parent, you partner with an animal rescue group to temporarily house dogs, cats, or other animals, and provide them with a safe, loving place to live while agency staff work to secure their forever homes. Beth Hisey has been throwing tennis balls and saving shoes from puppy destruction as a dog foster mom for more than a decade. We sat down with Beth to get an idea of what it takes to become a pet foster parent—the time, money, and commitment involved. Read on to learn what she digs about the role. When and how did you decide you wanted to become a pet foster parent? I started taking in dogs 12 years ago when a dog that I really loved, Zoe, passed away. It took me a while to cope with that loss, so I wasn't ready to commit to a dog permanently. My daughters were also young then and didn't understand what had happened. Zoe was part of their life and their routine—they didn't know what it was like to not have a dog. Even though Zoe was gone, I still wanted them to be able to feel the love of a dog. 1 How did you find and get started with an adoption agency? We signed up with several organizations. I already knew of Dallas Animal Services and had donated to them for a long time. I went from "liking" their posts on social media to going through their pet foster program. There are rescue groups across the country that you can reach out to. Start by being honest about what you're comfortable with—the breed, size, and age of the animal. Then, look to online resources like petfinder.com to quickly and easily locate appropriate rescue groups in your area. There are rescue groups for all types of pets, so you're sure to find the perfect fit. 2 6