Foster Parenting Homeless Pets

There are all kinds of ways for us to "give back" to our communities. Some donate time and money to a charity of their choice. Some donate their homes and lives. Such is the case with Laguna Hills resident Kellie Trimmer.

Kellie does foster parenting-for dogs. Not an easy task to open your home and your family to an animal that may have been abused, certainly abandoned and very possibly have severe medical problems. But this is what Kellie does. She's been doing it for more than five years. First when she lived in the central part of the county and now in Laguna Hills.

How did she get into it?

"I love animals and this is how I help out. When I moved into Laguna Hills I went to the local Petsmart and there was CuddleyCanines - a rescue that brings hopeful animals for adoption on the weekends. Since I had been a foster pet parent I asked if they needed anyone here.

"With all the animals they save from rescues, they were happy to get my information and match me up very quickly to a little Chihuahua mix they named Lola. Lola was on Death Row, had just had a litter of four pups who all found homes, and had some very serious health issues. CuddleyCanines placed her with me. They pay for the medical care (Lola is now thriving and anxious for a permanent home), but I take on the rest of the responsibilities.

"I work on training, socializing her with the rest of my pets and family, fed her - basically all the same elements that you would encounter in being a foster parent to a human child."

Being an animal lover myself and a huge believer in adopting rescue animals (I have a 12-1/2 year old lab mix who is the love of our lives and HER rescue cat - now a 5-year-old gray tabby), I wondered how Kellie could stand to give them up when someone adopted the pets she's poured her love and energies on?

"Oh, that is the toughest part. With Lola, she is just so special. My extended family is also emotionally attached to her. I'm really going to have to take a break before I foster another pup. If I had to choose one of my most memorable fostering experiences, it's Lola."

If someone is interested in becoming a foster pet parent Kellie has this advice:

"If you are an animal lover try it. It takes a lot of time, heart and compassion-and it's worth every bit you go through. Without me, Lola would have never had a chance. No one wanted to take on an adoption of an animal that had as many medical problems as she did. I feel wonderful that I was able to give her the chance to heal and thrive and become oh so ready to have a family she knows will be her own.

"There are over 4 million dogs euthanized every year. If you can save just one, your heart soars."