GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. – It’s been said that dogs are man’s best friend, but sometimes it takes a while for dogs to find their best friend.
That’s the case for three dogs being cared for by Clay County Animal Services.
They were part of a group of 70 dogs and cats that were removed from a Middleburg home in January.
Skye Barkley is the Foster Volunteer Coordinator at the shelter. She said it can be tough for animals to stay in the shelter for months, but they have enrichment to help maintain their mental and physical health.
“A lot of times, you’ll see them get depressed and maybe develop some issues that we don’t really want to see, like pacing in their kennel, using the bathroom in their kennel, when we know they used to be house trained,” Barkley said. “Luckily for us, we are able to have staff members and volunteers walk them at least twice a day. They also get lots of yard time. ”
The three dogs left from the hoarding case are Gage, Marney, and Kimber. Grace Allard is an Animal Care Attendant at the shelter, and she’s also currently fostering Marney. She said fostering helps dogs come out of their shells.
“If there wasn’t fostering, we would hit a standstill,” Allard said. “Dogs wouldn’t be able to rotate like they are. We wouldn’t be able to get notes on them that are impossible to get in here in the shelter.”
Allard has been fostering Marney since Hurricane Helene.
“He’s just doing really good. So I was like, let’s just build it,” Allard said. “You know, he has done good with my rabbit, my guinea pigs, my cats and my dogs. He is just a mellow man and really, really deserves a home.”
Gage was also recently fostered by a family for a week and a half. Allard said he would be a versatile addition to any family.
“As long as you’re willing to respect his space and give him the time to show you his loving personality,” Allard said. “He’s house trained, good on leash and good with other dogs and other animals.”
Fostering does more than just free up space in the shelter, Barkley said it also helps them learn more about the animals in their care.
“When they come in, we know nothing about them. We don’t know if they’re house-trained, if they like kids, or if they get along with other animals. So having them in your home, we get to learn a lot more about the dog,” said Barkley. “We get to add that to their profile and advertise them and try to find a good family for them, so you don’t even have to adopt them, and it can be even a short-term foster.”
If you can find time to foster an animal, Allard said it can make a huge impact on them.
“There’s that saying where ‘you can’t change every life, but you can change one life,’ and it really is true when you foster a dog because you’re able to truly see a living being feel safe in the world, and that’s incredibly rewarding,” Allard explained.
If you’re interested in adopting a dog or getting involved with the shelter, you can visit the Clay County Animal Services website.