Marion County Dog Services is the last chance for many dogs. The Dog Shelter is the primary service provider for lost and stray dogs in our communities. Last year more than 1,300 dogs came through our doors. Through licenses, microchips, and the work or our dedicated staff, we returned more than 750 dogs to their owners.
For those dogs remaining unclaimed, we placed more than 400 in new homes and sent approximately 130 dogs to rescue partners for their chance to find a forever home. Another 160 dogs were placed in our dog foster care program prior to adoption.
The Dog Shelter is currently recruiting for additional volunteer dog foster care homes. Foster care home volunteers are taught to feed, groom, socialize, train, and medicate dogs – all from the comfort of their own homes. Some of the most common reasons dogs are sent to foster care are minor medical issues such as skin problems requiring daily medication, training needs, or nervous behavior in the shelter environment.
Foster providers are given all of the supplies needed to care for the foster dog including medical supplies, food, leashes, bowls, toys, and more. "Providing a foster home is one of the best things you can do to help stray dogs. Fostering a dog not only helps with the future adoption of the animal, it also helps free up kennel space for other dogs in need," said Foster Care Coordinator Ashleigh Young.
When the dog is ready for adoption, the shelter will post the dog's story and photographs on the shelter website and actively seek to find a loving home. Foster providers are also invited to participate in shelter outreach events.
Foster care providers must be able to provide a safe, caring, and stable home environment for the foster dog. Fostering can be a great opportunity for those that wish to volunteer, but feel they don't have time for a more traditional volunteer role.
You are invited to join us April 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., to support the foster care program at our "Puppy Paw-ty," our largest fundraiser of the year. Donations received will be used to provide needed items for the care of current and future foster dogs and their volunteer foster families. Visit our website at www.mcdogs.net to learn more.
To sign-up or learn more about the Marion County Dog Shelter foster care program, contact Foster Care Coordinator Ashleigh Young or (503) 316-6698 or email MCDSFosterDogs@co.marion.or.us. For more information about Marion County Dog Services visit www.mcdogs.net. The Marion County Dog Shelter is located at 3550 Aumsville Hwy SE, in Salem.
