Every day, animal rescue organizations across the country put out urgent calls for foster homes.
Petey’s Playground is right there with them.
The more foster homes we have available, the more animals we can help.
Our mission focuses on seniors who are no longer able to keep their beloved pets with them. In some cases, the animals coming into our care are younger, healthy and able to transition into new homes fairly easily.
More often, however, they are senior companions who have spent most of their lives with one person. Suddenly, through no fault of their own, that life changes.
Ideally, the pet can stay with a family member or someone familiar. When that is not possible, Petey’s Playground is here to help.
What Is a Hospice Foster?
Many senior animals arrive with medical conditions or other special needs that can make traditional adoption difficult. Rather than repeatedly disrupting their lives, these animals may enter what we call a hospice foster or forever foster home.
A hospice foster commits to loving and caring for the animal for the rest of its life.
Petey’s Playground remains responsible for medical care and other special needs, while the foster provides a safe home, companionship and the daily love every animal deserves.
When the animal’s quality of life begins to decline, any difficult end-of-life decision is made together by Petey’s Playground and the foster family.
These homes give senior animals stability during a time when everything familiar may already have been taken away.
Gatsby’s Second Chance
My first personal hospice foster came during the early years of Petey’s Playground.
Gatsby was 15 years old and had been living in a van with his owner and another dog that bullied him. I had seen Gatsby around town, and he always seemed to be living in a fog.
When his owner went into the hospital, I brought Gatsby home. I did not try to place him for adoption.
“He is 15,” I thought. “How much longer could he possibly have?”
Then something strange and wonderful began to happen.
As Gatsby settled into his new surroundings, the fog started to lift. He became comfortable with his new, friendly pack. He slept beside them, played with them and ran and leapt around like a little goat.
He even became our “new dog mentor,” welcoming each new dog that came into the house.
The question of “How much longer could he have?” turned into three wonderful years.
Those years were a gift to Gatsby, and they were an equally meaningful gift to us.
What a Safe Home Can Do
Gatsby’s story is not unique.
Animals absorb the stress around them. When that stress is removed and they finally feel safe, they can begin to relax, heal and rediscover parts of themselves that may have disappeared.
That does not happen in every case. Sometimes medical conditions are simply too serious, despite everyone’s best efforts.
But we always do the best we can to give each animal comfort, dignity and love for however much time remains.
Grateful for Our Forever Fosters
We are incredibly grateful for every person who has opened their home to a senior animal in need.
Some of our hospice fosters have stepped forward again and again, giving multiple animals the chance to live longer, healthier and happier lives.
Our heartfelt thanks go to:
Cathy Vinyard, Deb and Conrad Bayley, Kaylyn Hill, Star and Jeff, Bob Banning, Marilu, Mona and Jim.
Because of their compassion, dozens of cats and dogs have experienced safety, comfort and unconditional love during the final chapters of their lives.
Become a Hospice Foster
Hospice fostering is not always easy, but it is deeply meaningful.
You are not simply giving an older animal a place to stay. You are giving that animal peace, stability and the chance to feel at home again.
For many senior pets, a hospice foster is the person who makes sure their final chapter is filled with love.