Kristi & Jim have gone above and beyond as a foster family throughout their short time with DPA. Starting as a temp foster for an urgent dog and now a full time foster for our most at need, they do not shy away from dogs with medical issues or behavioral needs. They have an open mind to training advice and setting each foster dog that comes through her house up for success. Additionally, Kristi & Jim are some of the first to consistently offer urgent transport help for dogs that have mere hours left. They have a willingness to do whatever it takes to save these animals without batting an eye. We are extremely grateful for Kristi & Jim’s passion to help animals and are confident that we will be able to save more lives because of their help. – Stefanie Steiner, Foster Director for Dallas Pets Alive!
This is why Kristi & Jim Picard are two of Dallas Pet’s Alive’s PAWesome People!
How did you get involved with Fostering with DPA?
It has only been about 5 months. I needed a hobby/something to do with my spare time. We started during hurricane Harvey when there was a rush to empty DPA to make room for the Harvey dogs. Lisa Castillo recruited us. My mom used to foster dogs when we grew up.
Tell us about a few of your fosters.
We started by pulling and temping Colby for 10 days. He had to be kept separate from our pup because he had a URI, and he had horrible separation anxiety. And then there was Dixie II. She was a GSD mix, out of time at the shelter and didn’t have a permanent foster. Someone said they would take her once their dog got adopted, but that fell through. Lucky for us because we loved her! She had a broken pelvis when we got her and had to help her through surgery and recovery. We were heartbroken when she was adopted, but Jim drove to Kansas City to make sure she went to a good home. After Dixie, we decided on Rainey because her boarding was costing DPA so much. The thought of her being miserable in boarding while taking away from other dog’s medical funds really sucked. It’s funny because I told my husband he could pick the next one and I wasn’t very keen on her at first. But wow, was I wrong and my husband makes fun of me because she and I always snuggle together now. Dixie and Rainey have been our only long term fosters at this point, but since we are close to Dallas Animal Services we like to pull and temp. We have pulled and temped Colby, Pops, Holly V, Roy, and Bentley. Something about that “shelter stank” I guess. We don’t have kids and sometimes have a flexible schedule, so we are happy to help people with families who cant make it to the shelter by 6:30 PM.
What is your favorite animal adoption story?
Well, we have only had one adoption so Dixie’s! She started with a broken pelvis and ended with a family in Minnesota playing in the snow.
What do you love most about fostering with Dallas Pets Alive?
Selfishly, I love that it makes me feel like I have a purpose and I am doing some good in this world. Plus, having dogs just makes us happier! We enjoy the new network of people we have met and the new tips and tricks we have learned about dogs. The Facebook page really brightens my day sometimes!
What would be some words of wisdom to new DPA Fosters?
Words of Wisdom? That it can be really hard. You have to be determined. Fostering isn’t for the fickle. Also, fostering can be addictive!! you need to know when you need to take a break.
Give us a fun fact about you!
It is funny you asked for a fun fact, because I needed a hobby because I kept getting that question and never had anything interesting to say. So the fact that I foster is my fun fact! I dunno, we travel a lot? make something up- HA.
Be like Kristi & Jim:
Sign up to foster with Dallas Pets Alive!
