Foster Care and Adoption: The Best for Animal Rescue, “Paws” Down

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Local animal control and pet adoption agencies are changing and saving animals lives.

Local animal control and pet adoption agencies are changing and saving animals lives.

In Fargo, stray animals at the pound are no longer D–O–A.

KVRR’s Brittany Ford took an inside look on how stray animals are getting a second chance.

TJ and Alison, if you think you know what happens when you turn in a stray animal?
You might not.

I spent time with animal control and the ending of the animal rescue process may surprise you.

Kari Waller has been with Fargo police for 16 years, 12 of those working animal control.
Duties are spilt up between parking enforcement and dealing with animals.

She doesn’t mind the parking duties but her passion lies with animals.

“As far as you know picking up animals and helping them out I love that,” said Kari Waller Fargo Animal Control.

Receiving a dispatch call to rescue a stray cat or dog for Kerri is one of the highlights of her day.

“They don’t really have it custody so I might have to catch a cat. On deck backyard with compliant. Tan stripped kitten. Aw probably a little cutie,” Kari Waller.

Kari says the most outdated misconception about animal control is that they take animals to the pound to eventually be put down.

“So we don’t put dogs, the pound does not put dogs down anymore. People hate to call us because they think that is what happens and that’s not what happens,” said Kari Waller.

The pound works with adoption agencies like Homeward Animal Shelter giving stray animals new homes.

This time of the year, is the busiest for shelters.

Rescuing every adoptable cat and dog off the street also means over populated shelters.

“We really need the community support not only to recruit more foster families but also people who are willing to be donors and supporters of the shelter to continue to take in these animals. We also need adopters of course to adopt the animals once we have them in our care,”said Heather Clyde Homeward Animal Shelter Manager.

If you can’t fully commit to adopting a dog or cat you can become a foster family and temporarily house pets.

It’s a win–win for the shelter and the pet.

The cat or dog gets a break from shelter life, while the shelter has the space to take in another animal in need.

It is no cost to the family, and the time period is completely up to them.

“We take care of everything while the animal is with them. We provide food, supplies, and the vet care for that animal. So it really is no cost to them,” said Heather Clyde.

Since 2012 adoption agencies like homeward are proud to say that no dogs or cats from the pound have been euthanized.

And for cats like Merlin the wait was worthwhile. After being at homeward for 7-months he is going to a new home.

Jacob Doctor is from Wahpeton and this is his 3rd adoption. He says he wouldn’t have any other way.

“There are so many good animals out there that need homes, and if you look locally you’ll find there some of the best pets around,” said Jacob Doctor of Wahpeton.

Fargo Animal control, the pound and adoption agencies have changed the culture of animal rescue.

They have ensured that every rescued animal gets to a loving home.

With Photographer John Hanson Brittany Ford KVRR News.