REGINA - Bright Eyes Dog Rescue (BEDR) is facing the same issues many other rescues are up against: not enough foster homes and more dogs needing homes.
BEDR was formed in January 2010 and is a registered non-profit organization.
The volunteer-run rescue is looking for more foster homes as the need seems to be worse than ever.
Although its headquarters is located in Regina, they have foster homes in central and southern Saskatchewan.
At present BEDR is not at an in-take freeze, but this could change based on the amount of calls they receive. There seems to be an abundance of puppies needing foster care.
Megan Folden is one of the volunteers and a part-time foster home provider for dogs. Folden was a full-time foster, but due to work commitments, dropped down to part-time. She takes foster dogs when the placement they are at is going away for the weekend or for a vacation.
She said there has always been a need for foster homes, but the situation seems to have gotten worse since COVID-19.
It is especially difficult to rehome a dog that needs to be the only pet. These canines take longer to adopt out. Not because they are difficult, but they do much better as the only pet. They also take up a foster home where usually several dogs are placed.
Beginning a new fundraiser this year called Big Dreams, it was their hope to raise enough money to spay and neuter 100 dogs by January, but they have a long way to go in order to reach this goal.
Teaching and educating people is also part of the rescue. A large-breed dog can easily have up to 15 puppies, while small-breed dogs tend to have smaller litters. The majority of the dogs in their care are medium-to-large-breed dogs.
Folden believes that dogs are occasionally surrendered because the owners did not realize what was involved in owning a pet. After COVID-19, people went back to work and found a shortage of time to spend with their animal.
Other times peoples lives change. They may become ill, or a person has passed away and the pet needs a place.
Now with the rising cost of living, such as groceries, gas and utilities, adoptions are slowing down.
BEDR has lowered its adoption fees, but still requires the deposit which is returned when the animal is spayed or neutered.
Volunteering does not mean one has to foster a dog. It can also include helping with supplies by delivering items, making pickups or a donation. People can take the dogs for a walk or offer a raffle prize. Toys, food and pee pads are always needed.
The amount of time that a person can spare is totally up to them, said Folden, as every little bit helps.
Rescues are closing their doors due to lack of donations and no volunteers. A rescue cannot operate with one or two people. They quickly burn out and get overwhelmed.
At any given time BEDR has roughly 50 dogs that are in foster care, with several of them ready to find their new homes. Every time a dog finds their forever home, another dog can be taken in.
