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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, December 26, 2013 | 14 Doherty says dogs know they have found a forever home continued from p.10 Before Doherty requests a dog from the shelters she already has a foster parent lined up. She usually picks up her dogs in Grimsby and then drives them to their foster home. Just as would-be foster parents undergo strict scrutiny before getting a child, Doherty also does a thorough check on her prospective foster parents before she gives them one of her dogs. A home visit is arranged after an application is accepted. She makes sure the home is safe, free of all poisonous plants inside and outside, whether the backyard is fenced and whether the dog can access a swimming pool. She examines their lifestyle. Do they live in a condominium or a home? Is anyone home during the day or always at work? Are there children or other pets? "I have to make sure the dog fits well with them," said Doherty, who does the same thorough check on prospective adopters. "Some dogs panic when a two-year-old is screaming and running through the house while others run with them and join in the play so I have to see how the dog reacts during my home visits. Everybody in the home has to be madly in love with the dog. If the mother and children are but the father isn't onside, I don't leave the dog." A meet and greet with the dog is then arranged if the dog is a good fit. Before the dogs can enter Canada they must have a certificate that shows they're in good health and an up-to-date rabies vaccination. Doherty pays for all vaccines, including heart worm tests and medication, and other necessary medical bills, including neutering or spaying and recoups her financial investment from adoption fees ($350) and raffles. She also holds adoption events with the dogs at various pet stores, the next one on Jan. 18 at the Pet Value in Milton. While the idea is for foster homes to take care of the dogs until they're adopted, often weeks away, some foster parents like Jo-Anne Adams and Tom Blakelock wind up keeping their furry friend. They just decided to keep five-year-old Bo after fostering him. Jo-Anne and her husband contacted Doherty after they got tired of waiting for the Humane Society to get back to them. "I went to one of her adopting events and I felt so bad I came home with three beagles," said JoAnne, who has fostered about eight dogs since. Even though they kept Bo, they intend to continue fostering after Christmas. "It's a feel good kind of a thing for us, to see how these dogs, many of whom have been mistreated, do so well," Jo-Anne said. "It's tough when they leave, but you know they're going to a new home and you're making room for the next one." Doherty calls people like the Adams "failed fosters." "But really it's often a good way to see if the dog fits into their family," Doherty said. "But if somebody comes forward and wants to adopt their dog, the foster parents have the first right for adoption." Doherty provides all the food and veterinarian fees. Foster parents provide a leash, bed and treats if they can. They are also under no obligation to keep the dogs. Doherty takes the dog back if circumstances change. "All we ask is that they provide a safe haven and help train the dogs and provide them with love," Doherty said. Many of Doherty's rescues are older dogs, which often fits well with families, especially seniors, who want a more mature and calmer dog. "Beagles have a long life span. They can live to 15 to 18 years so even when you adopt a fiveyear-old beagle it has a potential to live another 10 to 12 years, which is the lifespan for most dogs," she said. It's often not easy for foster parents to relinquish the dog when it's adopted. "They become very attached to the dog. Letting the dog go can be one of the hardest things for foster parents but they realize without them the dog would never have had a second chance at life," Doherty said. "I've adopted 617 dogs and I still cry every time I leave. It's tough for the dog too. They might whimper for 10 minutes, but soon they're licking faces of their new owners. They know they have a new home. Trust me, these dogs know they're safe. The best experience imaginable is delivering a rescued dog into the loving arms of their forever home." boxing week save up to save up to 50% 4 days only Sale! off floor models Long Island table 84" REG: $3,700. Boxing Week $2,590! Workshop & Showroom 370 Denison St. E., Markham 905-475-2488 Whitby: 111 Dunlop St. W. at Brock St. S. 905-668-2770 Mississauga: 2185 Dundas St. W. 2 blocks W. of Erin Mills Pkwy. 905-607-2247 on all other furniture 5 pce. Algonquin Bedroom REG: $7,020. Boxing Week $5,265! Turnbuckle HDTV Unit 72" REG: $1,950. Boxing Week $1,460! 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