KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
March 22, 2021
By Natalie Cook Clark
Many Katy families are opening their doors to foster local puppies and dogs, giving them a chance at a new life. Some fosters find “fur-ever” homes with their volunteer, pet-loving families, while others leave a paw print and lasting memories.
Photo: Caroline Trulock
For many Katy animal lovers, fostering is a passion and a way of life. It’s about saving one fur baby, and then moving on to help another, and another...
“It is surprising how many homeless dogs there and how many people mistreat their pets,” says Angie Waller, who adopts dogs through a local foster group. One dog in particular, Sam, a flat coat retriever, inspired her to not only adopt him but to continue to help others.
“When we learned of his story, we decided we wanted to help another dog find his ‘fur-ever’ home,” says Waller.
Fostering Rewards Pets and Owners
“The most rewarding part of fostering is taking a dog from the streets, getting it healthy, seeing a family fall in love with it, finding a forever home for it and then going out and helping the next dog,” says Caroline Trulock.
Trulock works at Almost Home Pet Rescue, an organization that holds many events in Katy. She also is a rescuer with Animal Rescue Houston, so she sees the story from all sides.
Fostering is a great way to get homeless pets out of shelters while they are waiting to be adopted. Those fostering can really get to know the dog and be able to best answer questions that can help place them in the right home.
For example, knowing how a dog reacts around other dogs, cats, and children can often make a major difference in who can adopt them.
Like most things in life, patience is key.
“Sometimes if you foster a dog vs. a puppy the dog is already set in his ways and it takes them longer to trust you,” explains Waller. “More than likely they've been abused or have trust issues.”
Caitlin Perrella first fostered and then adopted their 11-year-old Pitbull mix, Bubba.
“There was nothing wrong with him, no reason why he hadn’t been adopted,” says Caitlin. “It really makes me happy to be able to give this old soul a place to live out his life.”
Photo: Caitlin Perrella
Today, Bubba is spoiled by boat trips on Canyon Lake (pictured), binge watching Netflix before long naps, and walks in the parks. After a long life of shelters, he’s found a home thanks to the fostering system.
“Puppies have an easier time trusting you but are harder to train,” says Waller. “It takes time to train a puppy.”
Dogs are resilient and Katy families that foster witness true forgiveness and a will for life daily.
“Dogs are incredibly forgiving,” says Trulock. “People have failed them over and over, and sometimes we get them in some of the worst medical conditions.”
Sam Finds His Fur-Ever Home
While it is never expected, some dogs are adopted by those who foster them. While many dogs have passed through the Waller home in the last seven years, one dog stole their hearts.
“When Sam came to us, he was so scared,” says Waller. “He was found in a field all alone. It took weeks to trap him.”
Those early days got off to a rough start as a scared Sam would hide from the Wallers, but patience and love turned things around.
“We've had him know for over six years and he still can be very timid, especially if we make any loud noises,” says Waller. “But he trusts us and knows we will protect him.”
Sam is a successful fostering story and proof of how a dog can have its life changed for the better.
“Sometimes they’ve been neglected horribly or abused and yet they look at you with so much trust,” says Trulock.
Area Dogs and Pups are Ready for Fostering
Many Katy shelters are accepting applications for new foster families to help local Katy pups.
“We always try to find the right situation for our foster families,” says Trulock. “We want fostering to work out for everyone, and we provide our fosters with a lot of support.”
“We rescue, foster, adopt, repeat,” says Trulock.
“Rescues will always be needing fosters no matter what is happening in the world,” says Trulock.
“It’s just rewarding,” says Perrella. “You aren’t just helping the dog but the dog is helping you. Even if you don’t think you need it. There is just no reason not to foster or help a rescue. It’s so worth it.”
“When I say good-bye to one of my fosters, in my heart I know my foster is in good hands with their new family.” says Trulock. “That this boy/girl is going to be O.K. Now, I need to go help another who needs a chance.”