Taking in a mama dog and her puppies for fostering can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be challenging, especially if you’ve had a difficult experience with a previous foster. However, when Shelby, who runs Hank’s Legacy Foundation, contacted my mom and asked if my mom and I could foster the mama dog and her four puppies, we knew that we had to give them a chance. Shelby is one of the rescues I work with, and she has been a great help in finding homes for the animals I foster.

We knew that we had the space, time, and resources to provide them with the care they needed, and we didn’t hesitate to say yes.

Bringing the mama dog and her puppies home was both exciting and nerve-wracking. We set up a cozy area for them with plenty of blankets, a bed, and a little box type bed for the mama dog to feel secure with her puppies. The puppies are tiny little mini sausages! They are still eating off their mama and have barely opened their eyes! Adorable!

As foster parents, it’s our responsibility to ensure that the animals in our care are healthy and safe. We take all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of disease, such as isolating the mama dog and her puppies from our other pets and cleaning and sanitizing their area regularly. We also make sure that they receive regular veterinary checkups and vaccinations to keep them healthy.

Fostering animals is not always easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. Watching the mama dog and her puppies grow is always such a great experience and are such a joy to have around, and seeing their personalities emerge is always a delight. We know that our time with them is limited, but we’re determined to give them the best start in life possible.

It’s important to note that not all shelters have proper cleaning and isolation protocols in place, which can lead to the spread of diseases like distemper and canine herpes virus. This is why it’s crucial to work with reputable rescues like Hank’s Legacy Foundation, who take great care in ensuring the animals in their care are healthy and safe.

Fostering animals can be both challenging and rewarding, but when you have the support of an amazing rescue like Hank’s Legacy Foundation and the guidance of experienced foster parents, it’s an incredibly fulfilling experience. If you’re considering fostering animals, I encourage you to reach out to your local rescues and shelters and see how you can help. You may just find that it’s one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.