Second Chance: Adoption Ambassador Program

10 Jun Second Chance: Adoption Ambassador Program

We are just unleashing a very cool new expanded foster initiative here at Second Chance. It’s called the Adoption Ambassador Program, which is even better than fostering because you get to take on finding and approving your foster furball’s forever home! As an Adoption Ambassador, you get the incredible satisfaction of making an incredible impact on your foster pet’s life by getting it adopted!

Rosie

How does it work?  There are two options available depending on your life situation and schedule.

The first option is to operate as a traditional foster home, which means you take a pet in to live with you until you find an adoption family. I would be the perfect candidate for this actually.  My name is Rosie and as an 8 – 10 year old chocolate Lab, I would make a great and super easy foster. I am a super relaxed, quiet gentle bear, who needs little exercise. Plus, I get along great with dogs, cats, and people.

Not enough time to do that on a full time basis?  No problem! We welcome ‘drop in’ Ambassadors via our ‘Dog for a Day’ program. For a minimum of one day a week you will be matched with the same dog, who you can take to work or out for a hike on a regular basis until the dog is adopted. The exposure and getting out into the world can make a huge difference toward finding a forever home for a pet.

Both options offer minimal risk if it does not work out – sometimes it just isn’t a good fit between person and foster pet– as there is a two-week period (after which a 90 day commitment is requested to allow kennel space at the shelter to be opened for another dog) during which time you can decide to try a different pet.

The other fun part is that you can develop a “marketing program” for your foster pet. For example, you take them to “places to be seen” such as parks, road trips, walks in town, the office, hiking trails, festivals, etc. to let them be noticed by potential adopters. Dogs can wear their “Adopt Me” vests wherever you go.  You can get creative and post your foster on your favorite social media websites or throw “meet my foster” cocktail parties…Whatever works for you to help us get homeless pets like me better exposure so others can realize what a great pet needs a new home.

Swan

The program is available to you whether you currently have pets or not and designed for some of our shelter cats as well. Swan, an eight-week- old kitten who is ready for adoption is a great candidate as she is a bit shy and would benefit from the socialization that a foster home can provide.

Second Chance asks for a minimum of a two-week commitment from its Ambassadors and is prepared to offer extensive support such as pet training, ideas for marketing your foster pet, resources such as food, treats and medical, and other support Ambassadors request.

Contact Second Chance today to learn more about this exciting program!

Editor’s note: It’s no secret. The Telluride region is dog heaven. Well, pet heaven. Unless you are one of our furry friends who gets caught in the maw of neglect and abuse. Then heaven is on hold until Second Chance Humane Society comes to the rescue. Second Chance is the region’s nonprofit dedicated to saving animals’ lives and promoting responsible pet parenting and human-animal bond. In her weekly blog, executive director Kelly Goodin profiles at least one, generally two of the many animals now living at the no-kill shelter, Angel Ridge Shelter, a dog and a cat, hoping to find them loving permanent homes. The column is sponsored by Ted Hoff of Cottonwood Ranch & Kennel, who from time to time exercises his skills as a dog whisperer, partnering with Kelly and her staff to help train a particularly challenging animal.

Ted Hoff &  Magnificent Mae

By the by, there is no better place to park your pup than Cottonwood whenever you head out of town (for locals) or are heading to town and staying somewhere that does not allow pets. Consider joining Ted’s Very Important Dog (VID) Club for added benies. (Details on Ted’s website.)