Wayne County Dog Shelter offers chance to make a difference
Katie Nickles sits with Wayne County Dog Shelter resident Tootsie before filling out the fostering program paperwork. Nickles will foster Tootsie for two weeks and hope to make her a permanent member of her household.
Dan Starcher
A unique bond forms between humans and dogs — a connection that brings joy, loyalty and unconditional love. Fostering a dog from the Wayne County Dog Shelter offers an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these animals.
“The Foster to Adopt program is a great option for people looking to adopt,” Shelter Director and Dog Warden Katelyn Lehman said. “Some people are hesitant to adopt a shelter dog because we do not know much about the animals’ history. Fostering is a no-commitment option that lets people see the good side of shelter dogs they are considering bringing into their home permanently.”
Thousands of dogs find themselves in shelters every year, often facing uncertain futures. By choosing to foster a dog, a critical role is filled that directly impacts these vulnerable animals’ lives.
Local resident and first-time foster program participant Katie Nickles hopes to make a difference in the life of Tootsie, a timid dog that recently ended up at the shelter.
“We want to adopt Tootsie, but we have another older dog and kids,” Nickles said. “She gets along with other dogs at the shelter, but we don’t want to give her more than she can handle. If she isn’t comfortable with us, I want to see her go someplace where she can get what she needs.”
The need for foster families is particularly urgent, and according to Lehman, anyone wishing to adopt a dog may take them for two weeks with no commitment, with the hope of giving a shelter dog a chance at going to a forever home.
For more information about the foster program, visit www.waynedogshelter.org.
Dan Starcher is the public communications coordinator for Wayne County.
