Kentucky dog foster parents share what it’s like

LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Coming to the rescue can come with a hefty price.

“We’re probably into about seven to $8,000 in debt bills right now just for the special cases alone,” Anita Spreitzer, Vice President & General Manager of Paws 4 the Cause, said.

It is a price she is willing to pay when it means animals can live and experience the joy of life.

Recently, the nonprofit took in two emergency cases from the Manchester area, one is a puppy.

“She had so many fleas on her that she was anemic for the fleas, and the fleas are really big, so that means she’s been living with those fleas on her for a long time,” Spreitzer said.

The other’s fur was very matted, on top of the health conditions they both have from their living conditions.

“It’s going to be a long road, it’s going to take weeks for them to come back from what has happened to them, and along the way, as they get fed and they eat, other things can pop up and can happen,” Spreitzer said.

Spreitzer said the dogs have gone to a temporary home thanks to foster parents like David and Laverne Middleton, who recently took in Riley.

“We’ve been fostering for three years, this is number 25, I believe,” Laverne said.

The couple has a dog at home and said they just knew they had to add Riley to the mix.

“I was carrying her, whispered in Dave’s ear, I was like, ‘I think we need to consider keeping this one.'”

Folks do not have to make a dog a permanent responsibility to make such an impact.

“You bring your dog over for a meet and greet with the potential adopters, and they just, they fall in love with the dog and decide to take it home, and it just feels so good,” Laverne said.

The Middletons said they enjoy the flexibility fostering offers, and if they want to go out of town or an unplanned circumstance comes up, the organization places the dogs with a temporary foster, a resource that is always needed.

To foster or donate to the cause, visit Paws 4 the Cause’s website for more information.