Fostering a lab is so much fun. It is really great to bring a dog home to foster and introduce him to our 2 dogs. Teaching them to be social with other dogs and work with them to become a welcome addition to a warm and caring family. Spending time with a foster dog is such a rewarding experience to see them learn to love and be loved is one of the best things we have ever become a part of. To rescue and care for them and the best part of all, to see them connect with a family and know they will be loved and well taken care of. Being a foster parent is an experience that is so much fun that when a foster dog leaves us we are already looking forward to the next one…
– Foster Parents Bill and Todd

Why we love fostering Labrador Retrievers…knowing we’ve rescued a Lab from an untimely death; teaching them to trust again; giving them safe experiences…going to the beach, playing in the park, meeting neighbors during walks around the neighborhood; realizing that the refresher in manners that we’re giving them is worthwhile so they’ll be safe, happy and secure; watching their personalities develop; and looking into the eyes of a rescued Lab and seeing their tail wag like there’s no tomorrow. But the heartfelt reason we love fostering Labs is because we know we’re getting them ready for their forever home where they’ll be a companion, four-legged family member, best friend and giver of unconditional love, laps and warm fuzzies!
– Foster Parents Michael and Gia

For me, fostering is helping one dog find that perfect family, and having a very real impact on all their lives. Seeing a once “thrown away” dog become a beloved member of a family makes all the work worth it. People always ask “How can you give them up?” I tell them that every time I help a dog find a new forever home, it makes room at my house for another to get out of the shelter. I feel like I’m making a difference in my corner of the world. I know it makes a huge difference for every dog that I foster.
– Foster Mom Michelle

Being a foster mom is one of the most rewarding things I do. I am a sucker for a sweet senior and a lab needing medical attention. My last two foster dogs were paralyzed and required surgery. Royal found a great home after being with me for almost a year. Fozzie is still with me going through physical therapy to help him get stronger after having 4 inches of the top of his spinal column removed. Every day when I see him I smile…he is my sunshine…fostering is a gift not only for the dog but for the foster parent too...
– Foster Mom Lauren

We have fostered more than 20 adult dogs and 30 puppies in the last 6 years and all of them have been adopted out into loving happy homes. People ask “How do you bear to give them up?” We say it’s easier when you know that they will have an amazing life with their new family and you know that their adoption means you now have room to help save one more soul. Each foster comes with a story and is unique and teaches us something wonderful. Here are a few of the lessons we have learned: Onyx taught us that life is about loving and not dwelling on the past. King taught us that when you find your place in this world it comes with great inner peace. Montana taught us that it’s ok to be sad when you lose loved ones but as time passes new loved ones help fill the void. Daisy taught us that physical wounds will heal and scars give you character. Faith taught us that it’s never too late to learn to trust again. Mia taught us that family is about loving each and every one in your home even if they start out as strangers. Henry taught us that if you smile at the world it will smile back at you. We wouldn’t trade any of the experiences we have had fostering, they have given us such joy we are happy to have had the privilege to welcome them into our home even for a short time.
– Foster Parents Andrea and Robert

Fostering dogs has proven to be a positive experience for both the dog and myself. Because of them I have come to know SD. It is true; a great dog leads to lots of great beginnings. I take my foster dogs everywhere and I have met lots of great people. I assist the dogs with behavior modification, socialization and at the same time get to know their personality and occasionally assist with modifying their behavior. They get to experience life, sometimes for the first time; usually they love hikes and beaches. Although I can’t fully enjoy the beaches of SD (too cold!); I get enjoyment from watching my foster dogs swim in the ice cold water of the Pacific. Also, I love photography, so my foster dogs have always been my little four legged models. They never object! I have lots of great photos and memories of each foster dog. Although, fostering is short term, the experience is one that will last a life time. I am a better person because of them…I have enjoyed more sunsets and sunrises this past year and a half because of my canine friends. I think in this society of such high stress, it is the canines that carry us away from day to day activity and allow us to enjoy life on a different level, even if it means acting like a goofball to please your foster dog!
– Foster Mom Ruby