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PRESS RELEASE
RELEASE DATE: Immediately (August 2, 2006)
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Gene Baierschmidt
(801) 261-2919
WANT TO BE A MIRACLE WORKER? JOIN HUMANE SOCIETY’S FOSTER PROGRAM
Caring for homeless animals and getting them adopted into loving new homes of their own is the primary mission of the Humane Society of Utah, and it’s a job that often takes a lot more time, resources, and manpower than the facility’s staff can provide by itself. That’s why the HSU foster parent program is such a vital part of getting animals’ lives turned around, and that’s why the Society is putting out an urgent call for more of these extra-dedicated volunteers.
"The ones who need foster care are usually the special-needs animals like very young kittens or puppies, sick or injured animals, or animals with handicaps or disabilities," explains HSU Foster Coordinator Barbara Conrad. "A lot of shelters just don’t have any other option but to euthanize these less-than-perfect creatures, but the Humane Society of Utah has had a tremendous success rate in giving them a second chance at life and love because of our foster program."
Basically, foster parents are people who can take one or more special-needs animals into their own homes and give them one-on-one care until the animals are strong, well, and socialized enough to be adopted by ordinary families. Among the more spectacular foster-facilitated triumphs experienced at HSU over the past few months include that of a mother cat and her week-old kittens, rescued from a burning house and suffering from smoke inhalation; a brave, beautiful spaniel who had been born blind; a stray cat who had been doused with acid; a neglected and abused dog who had responded to his mistreatment by becoming a compulsive barker and nervous biter; and a litter of newborn puppies whose mother was killed by a car. Every one of these "hard-luck" cases is now a happy, well-loved member of his or her own new family. It couldn’t have happened if super-devoted volunteers hadn’t been willing to set up safe, snug nurseries in their spare bedrooms or bathrooms, administer individual bottle feedings or medications at regular night-and-day intervals, and give endless, unconditional TLC to frightened, hurt animals until they could learn to trust and love human beings again.
"It isn’t easy. It takes all the heart and soul you have to give, it takes time, and it can cost some tears," says Ms. Conrad. "But when a sick, scrawny kitten comes back to the shelter plump and glossy and healthy after a month with a caring foster parent, and then gets adopted - which never would have happened otherwise - it’s all worthwhile."
The Humane Society is constantly in need of new volunteers to add to its foster parent pool. If you’re one of those truly extraordinary angels who can do this wonderful work, PLEASE call Barbara at 261-1042 or Juli at 824-0454 to get on the list. The payback doesn’t come in dollars and cents - it’s far more valuable than that.
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