The Drumheller and District Humane Society recently celebrated their one year anniversary of moving into their adoption centre. Since opening, the need for help is just as great as it ever was.
One area in need is the foster program. As space in the adoption centre becomes scarce, residents are needed to provide temporary homes for some animals.
For DJ Jessup the experience was more rewarding than she had imagined. It was through fostering that she met her future dog, Ruby, a pitbull. Jessup was called out to pick up Ruby after she had been rescued from a dangerous home.
“The prior owner had put on Facebook a status asking someone to get her dog, or her boyfriend would shoot her,” said Jessup. “A friend picked up Ruby, but when she got home, her mom said there was no way they were keeping Ruby.”
Rather than put Ruby in a shelter, Jessup offered to look after Ruby until she found a good home.
“We got the call and we picked her up. As soon as we saw her, Ruby jumped up and licked me in the face. She went home with me that night and I fostered her. After a month I adopted her and she’s been with me ever since,” said Jessup.
The two are practically inseparable now. Ruby comes with Jessup to the Humane Society Shelter and has even done her part to look after the other animals there, even helping raise kittens who had lost their mothers.
Generally, fosters aren’t meant to adopt, though it happens sometimes.
“The ultimate goal is to get them adopted,” said Jessup. “Fosters sometimes adopt, which can be good and bad, but as long as the animal gets a good home, we’re happy.”
DJ Jessup gives her dog Ruby, a pitbull, a hug. Jessup first met Ruby when rescuing her from a dangerous home and fostered the animal for a short time before adopting her. The Drumheller and District Humane Society is constantly seeking willing residents to help temporarily foster animals while they await a loving family to adopt them.
Peggie Ginger fosters animals as well and describes it as bittersweet at times.
“It’s heart wrenching,” said Ginger. “You get attached, but eventually you have to let them go. It’s great, because they now have their own space and family. That’s the reward. You’ve accomplished improving that animal’s life.”
Jessup continues to foster animals for the Humane Society.
“There is a definite need in this community and all over the country. We are a no kill shelter, so our fosters are vital,” said Jessup.
The need is largely driven by pet owners who don’t spay or neuter their animals. Those animals breed. Owners sometimes abandon pets when they’re moving, or abandon litters.
“Every spring it’s kittens galore, and there are only so many homes,” said Jessup.
The Humane Society began a fostering program in 2009. At the time there was no shelter in Drumheller and the Humane Society had no other way to ensure animals were sheltered.
However, after the shelter was built, space filled up fast and the need for willing residents to foster remained.
“We just didn’t have a place to keep animals, so we decided to start up a foster system,” said Ginger. “Over the past four years we’ve had people come and go. It can be difficult to find people who want to foster.”
Fostering, explained Ginger, is a big commitment, especially for people who already own pets or who lead busy lives.
“You have to socialize, ensure they’re healthy, learn good manners. You have a certain responsibility. If your animal isn’t socialized, no one will adopt it,” said Ginger.
The Humane Society is looking for residents to help give an animal a good home until they can be adopted. Any interested resident, or anyone who wants to help out in other ways, is encouraged to contact the Humane Society at 403-334-0894, or visit www.drumhellerhumane.org.
“It’s about helping any way you can. It’s a more personal way to help the animals. They’re right there in your home,” said Jessup. “You know, because they’re in your home, they don’t have to be in a cage and when you look in their eyes they know you’re helping them.”
