I know that for me, resisting going to a shelter and adopting a dog takes willpower on almost a daily basis. I adore dogs and miss my own desperately, and having a dog around has always lowered my stress levels. But I can't adopt one, and many college students can't either. But there is an alternative - fostering! Fostering a dog (or a cat) is rewarding without the added expense of owning a pet. The question is, how to get started?

I talked to my roommate's friend, Lexi, a girl who has been fostering animals for two and a half years now. In that time, she has fostered 38 animals, including a dog with a broken femur and several kittens and puppies that needed bottle feeding. However, you can foster any dog! If you're not comfortable with injured or very young animals, then socializing an older dog might be perfect for you. Lexi told me about her experience and gave some insight as to how fostering works.

In the Bryan/College Station area, there are a few different organizations to work with. Lexi herself works with Bryan Animal Center. Once the application is completed and you are approved, they schedule a time to meet with you and then soon, you can take an animal home. Since we all live in different environments (apartment living, other pets, etc.), the Animal Center will often recommend a certain animal to take. However, they will listen to your input if there is a dog or cat you see that you prefer to foster.

Lexi's average time with an animal has been four to six weeks; however, she has had a dog for over five months before. In this time, the foster mom/dad is required to take their animal to events held by the shelter in order to provide exposure and help get their foster animal adopted quickly.

Responsibilities vary from animal to animal, but one thing that does not need to be worried about is cost. If you are unable to pay for the animal's needs, Bryan Animal Center is able and willing to extend their resources to help provide for the dog or cat that you are fostering. Medical expenses are completely covered, from injury to vaccinations to a simple matter of being spayed or neutered. If you so choose, you can spend money yourself to cover certain items such as food or toys, but if you are unable, the cost is not a reason to give up on fostering.

So not only are you helping an animal, that animal is helping you too. For many people, simply having a dog or cat around makes life so much less stressful and so much more fun. The added responsibility is completely worth it, especially if you have your own pets back home that you miss. The one thing to be aware of is that eventually, your foster animal will be adopted. However much you will miss them though, you have provided them with a wonderful experience in your home and ultimately, helped them find a forever home of their own.