‼️THIS IS AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR ANYONE WHO IS CONSIDERING FOSTERING OR ADOPTING ‼️

ITS LONG BUT ITS IMPORTANT ‼️

When someone commits to fostering or adopting a dog, that commitment carries real weight. Rescues make decisions based on the expectation that a “yes” is solid. When a foster or adopter backs out with little notice, it doesn’t just create stress it creates a crisis.

There is no emergency overflow of open homes. There is no hidden space waiting to be used. When plans collapse suddenly, rescues are forced to scramble, stretch resources, and make impossible decisions under pressure. And while people can walk away, the rescue cannot. Once a dog is taken in, that dog becomes our legal and ethical responsibility no matter how hard things get.

This is why rescues cannot take in every dog. We are limited by foster homes, finances, time, and emotional capacity. Responsible rescues do not intake dogs without a realistic plan for care. Saying yes without the ability to follow through doesn’t save lives it creates suffering later.

This is also why rescues do not rely on pledges.

Pledges are appreciated, but they are not guaranteed. They do not create foster homes. They do not pay vet bills upfront. They do not cover months of food, training, or medical care when donations don’t come through. In rescue, we often call pledges “funny money” because they look reassuring on a post, but too often they never fully materialize. A rescue cannot responsibly take ownership of a life based on promises that may disappear.

Another hard truth: there is no such thing as a “perfect” rescue dog.

When you foster or adopt, you are not shopping for a finished product. You are taking in a dog with an unknown past often shaped by neglect, instability, trauma, or repeated loss. Some dogs will need time. Some will need structure. Some will need training, patience, and clear boundaries. If you are not willing to put in that work, it should not become the responsibility of the rescue to fix it for you.

This is why fostering is so critical.

Fostering allows a dog to decompress, show their true personality, and reveal what they actually need to thrive. It helps rescues learn how a dog does in a home, with other pets, with kids, with routines and expectations. That information is what allows us to make responsible, lasting matches NOT GUESSES! This is what keeps our return rates low so our stress doesn't become another crisis level on a dog that deserves their second chance to be just that - not a third, fourth....

It is also why setting clear boundaries from the start matters. Dogs need consistency to feel safe. When expectations change, or when behavior is excused until it becomes overwhelming, everyone loses, especially the dog.

This is also why listening to the rescue coordinator matters.

Rescue coordinators are not trying to be difficult or controlling. They are looking at the full picture the dog’s needs, the household dynamic, past experiences, and long term success. When a coordinator says a dog may not be the right fit, it’s not personal. It’s preventative. Choosing a dog based on appearance alone often leads to disappointment, frustration, and heartbreak. Looks do not predict behavior.

Energy level does not match aesthetics.

And love alone does not solve incompatibility. We reserve every right to tell you "no" to one dog - but "yes" to another!

We have incredible dogs, dogs who could thrive in the right homes and be everything someone is looking for. But that only happens when adopters and fosters trust the process and trust the people who know these dogs beyond a photo. Rescue is built on trust, follow through, and accountability. When commitments are honored, dogs are safe. When they aren’t, dogs pay the price.

Please think carefully before saying yes. Be honest about your limits. Ask questions. Set boundaries. And if you choose to foster or adopt, understand that staying the course especially when it’s hard may be the very thing that saves not just one life, but many 🐾