DPA!’s Pawsome People: February 2019 Foster Spotlight

“Jackie has been a solid and continuous foster with DPA! for years now. Her ramp-up period was quick and she has not slowed down since. I can’t remember the last time that Jackie did not have at least one DPA! foster animal in her home – you would never know though since she treats each foster like her own. She does not shy away from any medical or behavioral cases and has a strong love for the power breeds that are usually overlooked in the shelter.

She has formed strong relationships not only with the animals but with other DPA! volunteers. Whoever you ask will tell you that she is one of the biggest animal lovers and pours her heart into making their world a better and safer place.

Jackie currently has a foster that has required a lot of training, modifications, and exercise. Although this sort of dedication can scare many off, Jackie has been extremely receptive to changing up her routine to fit her foster’s needs, opened up to training advice, and loved her foster animal so much that you would never know she wasn’t a part of the Hunter family.

As her foster representative said so perfectly – ‘Jackie has a heart of gold and we are so lucky to have her as a part of Dallas Pets Alive!” – Stefanie Steiner, DPA!’s Foster Director

How did you get involved with Fostering with DPA!?

I wasn’t working at the time and I had always wanted to foster; the timing could not have been better.

Tell us about a few of your fosters.

They’ve literally all had an impact on me, so it’s hard to choose just a few! Ruby was my very first one and I feel like we went through so many ups and downs together with failed meet and greets and even adoptions, but it was all worth it because her final adopters are the best people in the world. We pulled a 3 month-ish pup named Archer not knowing that he had puppy strangles; so while he was staying with us he was on antibiotics and steroids the whole 3 months we had him. It was just heartbreaking to see him that way, but he toughed it out! I legitimately cried for an hour after I dropped him off to his adopter.

What is your favorite animal adoption story?

It sounds weird, but it’s the ones that the adopters allow me to follow them on social media to keep up with our past fosters. It just reminds me why we do this and that we are just a short stop to their forever parents.

What do you love most about fostering with Dallas Pets Alive!?

I love that I get to cure my puppy fever for a short time and to see my RA’s (resident assistant dogs) help the fosters become dogs again. I also enjoy getting to show our foster dogs love and care that they may have never received in their lives beforehand.

What would be some words of wisdom to new DPA! Fosters?

“URI’s and tapeworms ain’t no thang.” Seriously, the easiest things to cure so don’t let that stop you from pulling a doggo that needs you. Also, fosters are usually the most cuddly beings in the world so if you get cuddles and save a life, it’s a win-win!

Give us a fun fact about you!

My “FF” is usually me saying I foster dogs! I love to bake, I usually bake banana bread at least once a month for my husband and coworkers. Let me know if you need a no-fail recipe!

Check out Jackie’s current foster “Sloan” being an Instagram QUEEN.

Be Pawsome like Jackie. Apply to be a Dallas Pets Alive! foster today!