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down for: Personal Checks, Paypal, Credit Card via SAGE donations Our volunteers provide homes for these dogs, but we rely on help from our community to continue to meet the medical expenses. Honoring Loved Ones A thoughtful way to give and honor a beloved pet or celebrate a friend/family member. Donations made in honor/memory/celebration of will receive a note from Columbus Dog Connection to let them know of your thoughtful gesture. Email Kellie with questions KDifrischia@gmail.com Bequests, Wills, Estate Planning Columbus Dog Connection appreciates the generous support of all our contributors. Not only do they provide support to us throughout their lives, in the form of financial and time commitments, but they also remember our homeless dogs and cats when they plan their estates and create their wills. Please speak with your financial or legal advisor. We will be happy to provide information and work with your advisor or attorney to complete your gift. Questions to Kellie at KDifrischia@gmail.com or 614-471-9000 |
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Wish List
to help us conserve resources so we can do more spays/neuters. -Gas Cards -bleach -distilled water -size 6.5 surgical gloves -laundry detergent -paper lunch bags -paper towels -a dolly/hand truck -a tune up of our donated printer -install lighting -install bath tub |
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All of our rescued dogs and puppies are placed in foster homes until they are adopted. It allows us to learn about the dog's personality, strengths, and shortcomings. This enables us to better match and place the dog in a happy permanent home. We are always in need of foster homes. Our dogs are usually in a foster home a few months at a time. The foster home is responsible for all aspects of caring for the foster dog. Columbus Dog Connection pays for all veterinary fees, food, a crate if necessary and toys when we have them. Fostering a dog can be a rewarding experience for you and
your family. If you have been considering adopting a dog, but are not ready to make that
10 to 15 year commitment, then fostering may be an attractive option for you. You
will help a dog, meet some of the best people on the planet and get a
feeling of need and fulfillment. Imagine... the effort you make will
be the difference between life and death. For more info on fostering a dog, see below. |
Question What do I have to do to become a foster parent? Question Can I just foster small dogs? Question What if the foster dog and my pets do not get along? Question How long to I keep the foster dog? Question Do I keep receipts for dog food and misc. purchases? Question Do I crate my foster dog? Question How do I get the dog adopted? Question What do I do when I go out of town? |
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To My Foster Dog I am the bridge between what was and what can be. I am the pathway to a new life. I am made of mush, because my heart melted when I saw you, matted and sore, limping, depressed, lonely, unwanted, afraid to love. For one little time you are mine. I will feed you with my own hand I will love you with my whole heart I will make you whole. I am made of steel. Because when the time comes, when you are well, and sleek, when your eyes shine, and your tail wags with joy, then comes the hard part. I will let you go--not without a tear, but without a regret. For you are safe forever-- A new dog needs me now. by Diane Morgan |
"Oh, I could never do that, it would break my heart to have them
leave."
That's the first thing I hear when I tell someone that I foster for Columbus Dog Connection and I feared that myself. I love my pets, they are like family to me, I spend a lot of time with them and become very attached.
About a year ago I decided to volunteer in some way; I had a friend
who went to the local shelter Tuesdays and Saturdays to walk dogs, she
loved it and felt a great sense of satisfaction from getting the poor
guys out of their cages. So I did a little research to find what other
volunteer options were out there and discovered
CDC. I decided to give it a try, going into it with
the attitude that yes, I would probably fall in love with my foster dog
but that I was determined to keep thinking of my goal which was to help
get dogs out of living in cages. CDC helped
me, they had me sign an agreement with them that I would not adopt any
of my first 3 foster dogs, their experience is that they lose fosters
when they adopt and fosters are very valuable, the only dogs you see on
CDC's web page are in a foster homes right now.
My responsibilities were to house, feed and care for the dog.
CDC has been around for 10 years, they have an established name
in the community, a network in place for vet care and donations of
food, treats and toys so there is no expense to the foster. The dog's
picture would be placed on their web page and I could write their
bio/description after I got to know the dog. I also had 2 adoption
events, Mingle with our Mutts, available to me every month. If you
have never been to a Mingle it has a festival/flea market feel to it
with tents and booths set up all over the grounds of the Franklin county
dog shelter (we are indoors in the winter) and rescue groups from all
over Franklin county bring their available dogs. It is a wonderful
concept because anyone looking to rescue a dog has one convenient place
to find the dog of their dreams.
I am not going to tell you that you will not grow attached to your dog
or that it is easy to see them go but the benefits, the feelings of
accomplishment and satisfaction that you are helping far out weigh the
heartache. In many cases the dog may have an issue...shyness or fear
that would keep him from being adopted, it is amazing how much a little
love, exercise and socializing will do. For me, the most heartwarming
part is to see them blossom, their personalities emerge and there is
nothing better than seeing a happy dog enjoying life.
Other than fostering, the only time I have had to say goodbye to a dog
is when they die or are put down, this is NOT like that because you are
giving them a forever home with someone who will love them longer
and probably more than you did. I try to think of my foster dog as a
temporary visitor, a guest in my home, it also helps to remember that
anyone who rescues a homeless dog is usually a caring and loving
person. Some fosters schedule a busy day for themselves the day their
dog gets placed in his forever home, go see a movie, anything to get out
of the house. I personally like to get my next dog the very same day
because guess what? It is living in a cage right now and I can't
help the next one until I place this one.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with
CDC, I have met some great people, fallen in love with some
awesome dogs and learned a whole lot in the process. If fostering
sounds like something you would like to do, don't let the thought that
you can't do it be the reason that you don't. If I can do it, so can
you.
Linda
Foster Mom to numerous homeless dogs |
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