Chihuahua Mix's First Good Night of Sleep in New Foster Home Is Everything

Shelter dogs have a very rough time. They are wondering where their family went and missing the humans they have bonded with. They are in a strange place with different smells, different sounds, and different people they are unfamiliar with. As incredible as shelter workers are and how hard so many of them try and make the dogs they care for feel secure and loved, there is only so much attention they can pay to each individual pup.

That's why the people who foster shelter dogs are so wonderful, and why it's so touching to see one of these dogs out of the kennel and into a home where she can feel secure and loved until she finds her forever family.

The very touching video was shared by the TikTok account for @simonsits and people love how relaxed this sweet foster pup is. One person said, "People always tell us “We could never foster it’d be so hard to let them go” but they’ll never know how it feels to be their first safe space. Their first home. Their first love." That's one reason why fostering is so important.

Related: Arizona Rescue Makes Plea for Someone to Adopt Dog Who's Losing Foster Family

Another person replied, "She feels safe. That’s why she’s such a sleepy girl. Most dogs don’t fair well in the shelter. Sweet baby." Still another added, "It’s the sweetest thing you’ll see when the foster settles in and has a peaceful restful night sleep!"

Fostering is such a wonderful thing to do for shelter dogs, but if you can't foster a dog long term, there may be other opportunities in your area. Like taking a foster dog for one night!

How To Prepare Your Home for a Foster Dog Sleepover

Even though a lot of shelters prefer foster families to take dogs for more than one night, some shelters across the United States are asking volunteers to take dogs even for one night to help them get a break from the shelter and reduce the likelihood of kennel stress.

If your shelter does offer slumber parties, check with the shelter to see which dogs do okay around other pets, especially if you have cats or dogs in the home.

Ask if they require any special medications or special dietary needs, if any. Make sure you have the correct food to give them, and most shelters will supply you with food for the duration of their stay. Ask what sort of treats they are allowed, and where they are used to sleeping. Make sure you have a leash for them, and any security items they are used to.

Take lots of pictures, because shelters can use these candid shots of the dogs on their adoption pages in order to get them adopted faster.

Give your foster lots of love, affection and exercise, because one-on-one attention is what these dogs need most.

Fostering is such a wonderful thing to do, whether you do it for a month or just a night. Check with your local Humane Society for opportunities in your area.

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