"Marley upon arrival
from his Puppy Mill"

"Marley after 1 month in STRMN Rescue"

Why Become a Foster Parent?

Why Become a Foster Parent:

You ask, what is a puppy mill survivor? It is a little girl or boy who has spent its entire life in a wire cage, more often than not with as many as ten other dogs. Some cages are so small that the dogs can’t even stand up and most have never been out of the cage, never touched the ground, much less grass. The food bowls are empty, and clean water and vet care are unheard of. Many often freeze to death or die of heatstroke or even floods because they have no protection from the elements. The females especially are bred over and over until there is barely any life left in their poor undernourished bodies. It is only when they can no longer produce many puppies that the puppy mill will finally release them, if they haven’t already died from giving birth.

When our rescue group receives the mill babies they are terrified as they have had very little human contact and in many cases have been abused. Their coats are full of urine and feces and are so matted they have to be shaved down to their skin. They have never been bathed other than receiving a powerful and painful spray of ice cold water from a hose. Many have rotten teeth, infections, and other health problems. As a rescue foster home, we bring these helpless little ones into our care, get them vetted, which includes spaying and neutering, and bring them back to good health. All vetting is paid for by our rescue organization. You may ask if there are personal expenses. Yes, there are some expenses borne by the foster home, i.e. mileage, food, and some supplies such as collars, and leashes, but they are all tax deductible.

After as little as a couple of weeks in foster care you look, and what do you see? A beautiful flower has begun to bloom right before your eyes. The soft coat is growing out, the wonderful Shih Tzu personality shines through – the fear is lessening, trust is beginning to build, kisses and more kisses, playing with toys and learning all the new and wonderful adventures of life. The memories of horror in the mill are fading into the distance, all because of a foster mom/dad’s love and care. The wonderful feeling that comes from giving a puppy mill dog a new life is immeasurable; you did this for a deserving dog and now your foster dog can be placed in a loving home.

As a new foster parent, you will have an experienced foster mom/dad (mentor) working with you every step of the way until you are comfortable with the process. You will enjoy the lasting friendships that are made with other volunteers. The rewards are too numerous to mention.
Each Shih Tzu is special and unique in its own way and gives unconditional love. So, won’t you please open your heart and your home to save a Shih Tzu from a life of unheard horrors or even worse, a slow and painful death?

Click on the link to apply to become a foster home!

Marley, pictured here, is a puppy mill survivor rescued by STRMN, and the reason we need your help in being a foster home for these innocent creatures. Mills all over the country are thankfully being closed down but leaving hundreds of dogs starving and in need of food and shelter. STRMN could rescue dozens more if we only had more people willing to open their homes and hearts by fostering. Please answer our call to become a foster home. Please click below to read in detail a volunteer's story of "Why Foster?"

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