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Fostering is one of the many ways you can help animals in different situations and it is extremely rewarding!
PAW Alliance needs fosters for both of our programs--New Leash on Life and New Start in Life. Please continue to read below to learn about fostering for one or both of our programs!
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New Leash on Life: (NLOL)​
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When our volunteer instructors select our dogs for the upcoming class, we do our best to find a foster home for those dogs so that they have a few weeks to decompress. By fostering, you are also allowing another dog to have that kennel space, that they may not have had that chance without our dog going to foster.
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Usually 2-3 week commitment - however, at times, we may need long-term fosters. This may occur if a dog doesn't get adopted after their 10-weeks of training, has learned all that s/he can learn at the prison but needs more time to find their forever home.
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You will be asked to provide us with updates on the dog during their time with you.​
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PAW Alliance will provide a crate, leash, collar, food, treats and all necessary medical care.
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New Start in Life: (NSIL)
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Many domestic/interpersonal violence victims won't leave the home, for fear that their pets will be abused if they leave -- if they haven't been already -- and often, abusers use pets as hostages. If the victim does leave and finds a safe shelter, pets are rarely allowed. ​
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A New Start in Life (NSIL) program partners with Family Services of Forsyth County to provide safety and care to pets while survivors of interpersonal violence stay at their shelter. We can assist Forsyth County residents who are in need.
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Our fosters provide loving homes, food and treats, medical care, toys and all other needs. The survivors feel great relief knowing their pets are safe and loved. After they figure out their next steps and leave the shelter, they're reunited with their pets.
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Fostering for NSIL is a 2 month commitment. Occasionally, this may be extended but we would communicate with you regularly to let you know.
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If you know someone in Forsyth County who may be experiencing domestic/interpersonal violence, they can call Family Services' crisis line 336.723.8125 or go to Bridges to Hope Family Justice Center at 725 North Highland Avenue, Annex 1, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 and file a restraining order or domestic violence complaint. Our forms are at Bridges to Hope, as well.
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For more information about our NSIL program, please continue reading below.
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We began this program after realizing that:
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71% of women in domestic violence shelters report their abuser threatened, injured or killed a pet as a means of control. (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence)
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Nearly 50% of victims stay in abusive situations rather than leave their pet behind. (Carlisle-Frank, Frank and Nielsen, 2004)
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As many as 25% of survivors will return because the abuser is using their pet as a means to get the person back. (ASPCA)
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And, finally, domestic violence shelters very rarely accept pets.
“PAW Alliance was the thread that kept my family not only together but safe during a time of our life that fleeing was our only safe option ... It is only through PAW Alliance that I was able to keep my entire family safe. Thank you for being there when it mattered most!"
- New Start in Life Domestic Violence Survivor
“We are so grateful for our partnership with PAW Alliance. Individuals and families that come into the domestic violence shelter face unique and challenging situations. Because of PAW Alliance, we are able to offer our clients comfort, knowing their animals are safe and well taken care of. This allows them to flee unsafe situations to maintain their own safety, as well as the safety of the animals they love.”
- Family Services, Forsyth
We need help with this necessary, important program. We are in desperate need of foster families. You can change lives!
Why Foster a NSIL pet?
This program works only because of people like you opening your hearts and homes, and giving their time and attention, to a pet in need. As a foster, you know you’re offering desperately needed support to both the animal and the violence survivor, helping both begin to feel safe. Your fostering is crucial to allow the survivor to recover and look to the future, knowing their beloved pet is in loving hands.
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You are helping a domestic violence survivor in our community.
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You are offering a pet a safe, comforting home while its parent is trying to recover from a seriously traumatic experience.
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The pet very possibly has been abused, too, so you’re helping the pet learn that there are safe, loving places.
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You’re reducing the pet’s stress and giving the survivor much-needed emotional relief. When survivors know that their animal is in a safe, loving place, they can breathe easier and put more energy into making plans for a new life.
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NSIL fosters are short term, ranging from a few weeks to a few months.
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PAW Alliance supplies everything a foster home needs, including food, treats, and toys, cages or crates if needed, medical care, and all other essentials.
HOW IT WORKS
In A Nutshell:
Fill out a foster application and get it to us. We’ll be in touch, and if all seems a good fit, you’ll be a PAW Alliance New Leash on Life and/or New Start in Life foster home! A PAW Alliance rep will contact you to discuss your interest. If it seems a good fit, the rep will come visit your home and explain more about our program. Fosters are short-term, ranging from a few weeks to a few months.
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Fill out a foster adoption application and get it to us.
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A PAW Alliance rep will contact you to discuss your interest, then will make a home visit and give you more details and answer any questions.
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When the time comes—and often it’s last minute—we’ll call you and tell you what pet/s need your help.
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PAW Alliance will bring the pet/s to you with all necessary equipment, food, treats, toys, beds, medicines, and so on.
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We’ll ALWAYS be available if you have questions or concerns and will be with you every step of the way.
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For NSIL Fosters: We’ve learned that the survivor parents love getting info and photos, so we hope you’ll send some to us and we’ll pass them along.
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When the survivor decides a path going forward and leaves the shelter, we'll pick up the pet/s from you and bring them back to their parent.
“I have been a pet parent and fan of PAW Alliance for years. When I first read about A New Start in Life, I knew that I wanted to somehow get involved, and luckily the chance came for me to foster my first dog. I think that this program is so important and fills a need in our community to provide the love, care, and support for both humans and pets going through an extremely difficult time in their lives. It made my heart happy to provide a little peace of mind for my foster pup and his family.” M. S.
