Foster24Ever: A New Foster Progam from Albuquerque's AWD

Hello! I would like to introduce to you the new Foster24Ever program from the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department.  This is an opportunity to foster mostly ready-to-go pets, work on your dog skills or, as a volunteer, point out those dogs and cats that would be more adoptable if outside the sometimes stressful shelter.  Read on for the details from Bet, our volunteer coordinator.

ALBUQUERQUE ANIMAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOSTER24EVER PROGRAM

Thanks to our wonderful foster folks, the
Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department’s
(AWD) has a thriving foster program for our
young kittens and puppies and our animals in
need of a place to recover from surgery or
trauma. To expand our foster program,
AWD’s new Foster24Ever (F24E) Program is
designed to provide an alternative housing
option for shelter animals who are available
for adoption but declining in behavior or not
showing well in the shelter and to transition
these animals into a permanent home … from
foster home to forever home! The F24E
Program will provide continuous support and
resources to both the animals in the F24E Program and the foster persons to ensure a successful
foster relationship and to prepare foster animals for adoption. The support and resources will
include dog training and behavioral assistance, medical care, suggestions for marketing and
promotion on AWD Facebook page, and offsite adoption events for foster animals.

F24E Program animals will be placed in foster care based on priority, and all F24E Program
animals will be spayed or neutered and current on vaccinations. Criteria for placement will
include a behavioral evaluation, length of time in our shelter, acclimation to the shelter
environment, and previous socialization or training. The F24E Program Team will work with the
AWD staff to determine which animals will be eligible for the program. Any staff member or
volunteer may recommend an animal for the F24E Program and can submit a request via email to
the F24E Program Team. The F24E Program Team consists of Bet Lotosky, Foster Program;
Carolyn Hidalgo, Behavior Program; and Mary Soto, Kennel Supervisor. The request should
include the following information:

 Animal’s name and ID number
 Name of volunteer or staff submitting request
 Reasons for consideration
 Types of enrichment, programs, training, or support the animal received in the shelter

All active and approved AWD foster persons are eligible to participate in the F24E Program.
Dogs with behavioral or social issues can benefit tremendously from learning basic canine
citizenship skills, so foster families will arrange for F24E Program dogs to participate in AWD
dog training classes. If a foster dog would benefit from some behavior modification, our
Behavior Program will provide individual training and written details to continue behavior
modification in the foster home. To promote our foster dogs to potential adopters, our F24E
Program dogs will participate in at least one AWD offsite adoption event each month. F24E
Program foster persons will provide monthly status reports to the F24E Program Team to keep 2

staff apprised of the animal’s progress in foster care and the steps taken to help the animal find a
forever home. Progress reports should be emailed to the F24E Program Team and include:

o Assessment of the foster animal’s behavior in the home environment
o Dates of dog training classes attended and basic manners learned
o Behavioral modification progress, if appropriate
o Dates of adoption events attended by foster dogs
o Promotion and marketing used to find an adoptive home

Contact information for the Foster24Ever Program Team:

 Bet Lotosky – Foster Program
 Eastside Shelter
Phone: 505-767-5632
Email: blotosky@cabq.gov

Carolyn Hidalgo – Behavior Program
Westside Shelter
Phone: 505-764-1160
Email: chidalgo@cabq.gov

Mary Soto – Kennel Supervisor
Westside Shelter
Phone: 505-768-1947
Email: msoto@cabq.gov

Mr. Macky

Hello! Today we are bringing you the word on Mr. Macky, a great dog with a unique situation.  Read on to learn more about him.  Check back often for other featured adoptable pets from the AWD Animal Shelters. 

Stitch: The Tiny Panther

Hello!  Today we have news on a kitten named Stitch with inside information from his foster parent.  

Meet Stitch, a skittish but playful 3-month-old black kitten with a secret patch of white fur on his belly.  He had a rough life as a very young kitten (separated from his momma way too young), so he takes a little time to trust new people.  He needs an understanding family that can give him a quiet spot to get used to his new home.  But once he does settle in, Stitch absolutely loves to play with his toys, especially his toy mouse and anything on a string!  His foster parent says that he likes to think he is a panther, but he is really a sweetheart.  He is a healthy, neutered kitten who is litterbox trained and totally ready for his forever home.  But the little guy is too fearful to make it in the loud, busy shelter and even our Lucky Paws adoption centers.  He is terrified of dogs and very young children, but he tolerates cats, and gentle older children would be fine.  Please help Stitch find his perfect family; we know they are out there waiting for him. 

   

I AM A TINY PANTHER WITH THE SOUL OF A CREAM PUFF

To meet this little fellow in his foster home, please contact volunteer coordinator Bet Lotosky at 505-767-5632

Introducing Tam from the 12 Strays of Christmas

Hello!  Today I would like to let you know of a little ongoing special that is still going.  Although we are done with the holidays and moving on to other things, the holiday special from AWD is still going on!  We have one cat left who has not been adopted from the "12 Strays of Christmas" special.  This opportunity to find your furry friend includes a $12 adoption fee - much lower than the normal fee.  The following is a part of their announcement of the event.  Read on for the details on Tam the cat.  

Chip

Hello! I would like to introduce you to Chip. Many volunteers have worked with him and socialized him with other dogs. He is looking for a true home, but would be glad for a foster home. Here is his story:

Chip (A1680606) is a very sweet although shy 9-month-old, neutered male English foxhound puppy.  When he arrived he was quite shy, and it appeared he had never been on a leash.  After just a couple times coming out with volunteers, he was eager to come out and handled walking through the gauntlet of barking dogs better.  He can be a bit shy with new people while putting on the leash, but with those he has spent even just one time with, he now is eager to come out and is good with the leash.  He is a typical puppy with a bit of energy but he is not a wild boy.  He jumps up with initial excitement, but he is learning “off” and is catching on.  He is very people oriented once he has spent some time with you.  He enjoys affection.  He is very smart and is learning the cue for sit.  He is one of the dogs in our Shy Dog Program, and we had thought he had made a lot of progress, so were graduating him.  But now he is getting rowdy and excited in his kennel from lack of an outlet for that puppy energy.  We have asked other volunteers to work with him and they report that he is a bit shy the first time out but the next greatly improved.  He has attended a couple of play groups.  When approaching the play yard he was very eager and after entering he immediately began playing. He had a great time playing with the seven other dogs in the group that particular day.  Another of our shy dogs, Lady Gibson, is one of his favorite play buddies.  Like most puppies, he is enthusiastic and plays with a bit of pawing/touching.  One of the dogs in his last play group was not enjoying that type of play; she corrected Chip, and he paid attention with no escalation.  He slowed down his play to be a bit softer or just stayed with the rowdier players.  He should do well with most other dogs.  It seems he just needs an environment like a home where he can build a bit more confidence, guidance, and patience through puppyhood and get his chance for adoption.

Lenny

Hi! Welcome to the blog written in support of dogs and cats at the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department. We have a few bios for dogs written by Julie Grimes. If you are looking for an adoptable dog read on!

Lenny (A1677150) is a 1 year old, male, Rottweiler mix. His coloring is the only resemblance to a Rottie. He is very small only about 30-25 pounds. He has a very slight build, long snout and tail. Lenny was surrendered to us when they adopted him and their four other dogs attacked him. As you can imagine he arrived very shy and a bit shell shocked. Lenny is eager to come out and quite good on leash. He knows the cue for sit well and is eager to please. He enjoys being petted and is an affectionate boy. He can get active in his kennel when dogs walk by. Perhaps this is due to his unfortunate experience with the four other dogs. Once he is outside he is calmer and enjoys walks. He can be startled by some movements and may be a bit shyer around men. To try and help his comfort with other dogs we have brought him to the play yard with only one very soft dog with good social skills. He didn’t seem interested in play but enjoyed socializing & sniffing the other dog. He behaved well with no lip lifts or growls.   He does become very timid around a group of dogs. We think very playful rowdy dogs would be scary for him. He does not get noticed and we think the Rottweiler designation is inaccurate and may be hindering an adoption due to many landlord rules. Lenny could greatly benefit from a calmer home.  When he is taken out for a walk he always takes care of business immediately although we do not know if he is house trained.

Emmy

Emmy (A1594259)is a 3 year old, female, Border Collie mix. Emmy was surrendered when her owner moved. She has had a very hard time in the kennel environment and we think she was grieving from not being with her owner. She is a highly intelligent and sensitive girl like many of her breed. She was extremely fearful when she arrived but now is very eager to come out and be with people. She must have been a constant companion to her owner and she is happiest shadowing someone. She used to be quite good on leash but since she does not get out often she jumps up for attention.  She responds to “off” & “no” but just needs this on a consistent basis. While out with someone she craves being touched. She can be quite a gentle girl and enjoys sitting next to you or putting her paws up on your lap for a hug. We think Emmy had been an only dog. When brought to the play yard with another soft dog she was not interested in play but seemed to enjoy sniffing and greeting. She got a bit jealous when the other dog butted in for attention. She could be an active girl but also just a constant companion. She is suffering in the over stimulated environment of the shelter and this makes her anxious and nervous at times.  A home environment should help her with the loss of an owner as well as being anxious for attention.