(2/18/99)

Many people are familiar with programs for foster children and what it means to be a foster parent. But what about being a foster parent to a foster pet? News Specialist Angela An tells us more.

"Buddy speak... speak... speak..."

Buddy doesn't need to speak to show how happy or grateful he is. His face says it all.

Just one day away from being euthanized, Buddy's life was spared by Salt Lake County animal services.

Foster Pet Parent, Gail Johnson says, "They just felt he was such a wonderful dog and is a wonderful dog that someone should be able to bring him into their home."

Gail Johnson is Buddy's foster parent through Wasatch Humane, a no-kill organization which rescues animals at their midnight hour, and places them into foster homes.

Cheryl Smith, director of Wasatch Humane, says, "In 1998, we found homes for 1,300 animals that we had rescued."

Five-month old Mitzy is also a Wasatch Humane rescue, who seems curious to learn about her new foster home surroundings.

Her foster parent, Barbara Lamb, says, "She was given to someone as a Christmas gift and they didn't want a dog. And I've gone back and forth between should I keep her or should I let another family adopt her because she's just absolutely a lover."

Some of these rescued animals have become more than just house pets. Depending on their potential, some have even become therapy animals. Wasatch Humane has certified several dogs, cats, even rabbits as therapy animals for sick children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

Volunteers say it's ironic how these animals help humans live better lives, when other humans have chosen to let them die.

Smith says, "Shelters commonly euthanize up to 200 animals a day because there are not enough homes to go around."

Wasatch Humane says the more foster homes they can find, the fewer animals shelters will have to euthanize.

S.L. County receives more strays than any shelter in the state, nearly 16,000 a year, and that's simply too many for them or Wasatch Humane to rescue.