5 facts about hospice fosters
In which Jill explains why the hard thing is the right thing.
When people think of hospice fostering an animal, their knee-jerk reaction is, “Oh, the people who do that are heroes! But me? I could never…”
Are you sure?
Shelters and rescues would like to help these pets, and increasingly, they’re launching formal hospice foster (aka, fospice) programs. Providing hospice care for a shelter or rescue animal (aka, fospice) is probably a lot easier and quite honestly a lot more rewarding than you think.
Here are five facts about fospice:
Fospice saves lives. The typical fospice pet has a condition that would result in euthanasia at most animal shelters. After all, why extend the life of a pet who has a debilitating condition when there are so many healthy animals needing homes? But by taking on a fospice pet, you’re freeing up resources – most notably kennel space and staff attention – that will likely be redirected to other animals deemed more “adoptable.” And, as I’ve personally experienced, that animal might be around for longer than you think.
Fospice extends lives. A dog or cat in fospice gets targeted care—care that is often impractical when that pet is a member of a general shelter population. For instance, many sick or injured dogs end up in isolation at shelters, where they are unseen by the public and often forgotten by busy staff and volunteers.
By providing food, medicines, supplies, and care instructions, shelters can prepare fosters to deliver targeted treatment (when necessary), as well as a safe home environment for the pet.
Our current dog, Pinky, is a fospice dog. She came from a shelter where she had an ulcerated mammary mass, and was moved from isolation to the general population of animals, where her mass became infected and ruptured. We rescued her and got her to a vet who surgically removed the mass. Although the surgeon did not get clean margins, Pinky improved practically overnight. Her spirits brightened and her transformation from anxious shelter dog to enthusiastic family member was remarkable. She was given around 3 months to live. That was 7 months ago.
You might be overestimating the cost. Rescues and shelters with foster programs will often take on some of the financial burden of fospice care. Organizations like Best Friends cover all food, medicine, and ongoing medical care for their fospice pets, while Petfinder offers grants for unexpected medical events.
Many veterinarians now offer alternative care plans to improve and extend lives of sick animals. Veterinarians across medical disciplines understand the cost of care challenges, and many have incorporated alternative treatments like acupuncture or laser therapy into their care plans. Some are even willing to recommend over-the-counter or off-label medications for treating conditions or pain – think Benadryl or PanacurC for tumors in dogs.
You’re among friends. Hospice fostering is gaining awareness. More people are willing to take ill pets into their homes, provide the medical and emotional care they need, and ultimately give palliative and end-of-life care. Likewise, veterinarians are well-versed on the specific needs of fospice homes, and they’re increasingly willing to customize treatment protocols for the home, and even provide financial discounts. Online groups like Pet Hospice Community (Facebook) and PetHospiceProviders (Instagram) offer advice, support, professional counsel, and fospice-friendly resources.
Because, fulfillment. Sure, it’s easy to dwell on the likelihood you won’t have the time you’ve had with other pets. And you’re human: you will likely get attached to the pet and shed a few tears. But there’s something additive about being a hospice foster parent that doesn’t exist when you simply rescue a young, healthy pet: the mission. There’s a sense of purpose that creeps up on you when you care for a fospice pet. You realize that the world would be a sadder place without that animal, and your world would be smaller.
Sure, you’re giving an animal – one who has the capability and the will to participate – more time. But to discount your contribution to the life of another sentient being is to minimize the difference you’re making. And, if you believe in such things, the karma you’re earning.
