03/28/2026
WAGS Fam!
We get asked periodically about fostering & we certainly get a lot of statements from folks spouting incorrect information about fostering & rescue. What we do is nearly impossible without caring individuals who choose to open their homes both short & long term giving us time to vet & network unwanted animals to less saturated areas where they have a chance to finally experience long term love & security. We'd love to dispel some of the misinformation that keeps people from volunteering & what better way to do that than to get the info directly from the selfless folks who open their hearts & homes to animals that might never have had the opportunity to experience love?
Introducing Foster Diaries!
Our first Foster Diary comes from a special lady with an even more special skill set that combines love & training, creating some of our most well behaved fosters!
Direct from Foster Kim J:
My name is Kim, and I foster puppies. While my focus is on dogs, many species benefit from fostering programs. Fostering provides critical support to animals in need, saves lives, and honestly, the dogs and I both benefit.
My favorite part? Puppies bring chaos, laughter, and a lot of snuggles. Training them is a puzzle I love to solve—each one learns differently, and I tailor my approach to each animal’s learning style with the aim to send them off as well-mannered companions. It’s tough to say goodbye, but if I kept them all, I couldn’t help the next one.
The basics are simple: a safe spot to sleep and plenty to eat. Anything extra—like learning to walk on a leash, coming when called, or picking up a few tricks—is a bonus and helps the rescue organization match them with the right family.
I started fostering three and a half years ago with Anderson Humane Society in Kentucky. My first pair, Dorothy and Sophia, were tiny dachshund mixes found on a rural road—so small they wore repurposed socks for sweaters.
Next came a group of three-month-old mixed Great Pyrenees, underfed and skinny but playful. It didn’t take long for them to learn that food comes in their own bowls.
Then there was the 8-10 week-old mystery litter. They each looked like a purebred but their lineage is a mystery. I found it easier to refer to them as the “P” litter because each of their names started with the letter “P”. They arrived in spring, so they got to spend a lot of time outside but when indoors, they were taught to respect cats, courtesy of the permanent feline queen of the house.
Another batch of almost all black Great Pyrenees-Lab pups named after women composers (plus Pete, the honorary guy) were foster pups who, not surprisingly, loved playing in the wading pool.
After moving to Kansas, I fostered two flood survivors from WAGS in Oklahoma—Flynn, who loved roughhousing, and Harper, who was shy but resilient.
Most recently, Snickers, a terrier mix, joined me after being rescued from an overcrowded shelter. She was smart, wild, and always up for a cuddle.
If there’s one thing I’m working on, it’s getting the puppies out to see more of the world. My backyard is safe, but the real world is bigger and noisier. My goal: raise confident pups, ready for anything—one adventure at a time.
