Fostering an animal in the last stages of life is a kind of rescue many never think about. It is often referred to as hospice fostering, and many CSRA foster parents open their homes to these animals.
Angela Wilson, the co-founder and director of Canine Hospice Animal Rescue, said that her journey began when she took in the dog Forrest.
“I knew several years ago that when my husband retired, I was going to have a dog rescue. We were fostering Forrest, who I thought would be a hospice foster for us. But we knew that he was meant to be part of our family, so we adopted him. We ended up having Forrest for nearly 5 years. So, you see, Forrest is why I have a hospice rescue,” said Wilson.
Canine Hospice Animal Rescue is a new organization that Wilson and her husband opened up when they saw a need for hospice fosters.
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“Hospice does not have to be just old dogs. Any aged dog could be considered hospice. To be labeled hospice is determined by our vet’s advice on the health of the dog,” said Wilson about the dogs they take in.
“A hospice animal is usually an elderly animal or an animal that has been deemed terminally ill,” said CEO Gina from CSRA Forgotten Souls Inc. Rescue. “ These animals usually find themselves in a shelter because an owner can’t handle the upcoming costs, etc., or they just decide they don’t want to deal with the death of their pet despite that it could be days to years down the line. It’s no fault of the animal that they end up in this situation, but that’s where we come in and make sure that animal doesn’t suffer and has all the love it can possibly handle for as long as possible,”
Canine Hospice Animal Rescue is new to CSRA area and is expecting to grow its number of foster homes. Wilson said that the organization’s mission is to provide safe, loving homes for the animals.
“If there is a chance that a dog that we pull into rescue is able to be nursed back to health and have a good quality of life we could totally adopt them out,” said Wilson. “Usually that would be a cancer pup that has it [cancer] in only one leg and by removing that leg, that pup can go on to live a good quality life. Come like us on Facebook and watch our progress as we grow.”
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“Hospice was always included in our rescue from the moment we decided to open a rescue in Augusta, Ga. Hospice was incorporated by making sure we had fosters that understand that once this animal is placed into foster care that it will never be leaving. That this animal is going to require medications being administered, and extra love and care until the end of its time here on Earth,” said Gina about CSRA Forgotten Souls Inc. Rescue, which does adoptions too.
Fostering hospice animals is not easy for those involved. Rescues provide medical resources with donations from the public.
“It takes a compassionate, patient, and selfless person to be able to do hospice fostering. It’s taking in a special animal that you know sooner rather than later you may have to say good-bye to,” said Gina. “We have many hospice animals currently. Some have cancer, blind, deaf, or are just elderly. Most people won’t adopt a hospice animal, so we know when we take in this animal that they’re here for the long haul.”
Haley Knight is a contributor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at haley.knight@TheAugustaPRESS.com
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