There are some dogs that come into our rescue program that require more love, attention and medical needs than others. They may have chronic health problems which might require an unusual amount of care and expense, they may be severely disabled, they may be elderly or have behavioral setbacks which cause them to not be able to adapt to new situations of adoptive families.

We feel that despite their special needs, whatever it may be, these dogs should live out the rest of their lives in a safe and loving home and to be cared for with the respect and dignity they deserve. It is for this reason that GCCSR has a Forever Foster Program. Special foster homes have opened their hearts and homes to these dogs. GCCSR continues to provide veterinary care for these dogs and the foster families provide the loving home in which they can live out the rest of their days.

In order for us to maintain the best quality of life for our Forever Fosters, we need additional funding in the form of donations. Rarely do the donations we receive through our Adoption fees cover the medical expenses we've accumulated for the care of rescued dogs, especially those with special behavioral or medical needs which we have deemed to be Forever Fosters. By contributing specifically to this Forever Foster Program, your financial gift will help us continue to save many more dogs, and to provide our Forever Fosters a well-deserved life of ease and contentment.

 

Thank you for supporting the GCCSR Forever Foster Program, your donation will truly make the difference in their world.

KAYDENCE

Kaydence was 14 years old when she was surrendered to GCCSR in July of 2023. Her elderly owner was no longer able to single-handedly take care of her and her vet needs, and the granddaughter who'd been assisting with her care for quite some time was moving away. Tearfully, they reached out to us in hopes we could provide the cataract surgery they'd been told she needed, and to provide a stable home for however long she had left. The volunteers of GCCSR are known to have big hearts for the seniors, and one of our foster homes agreed to take her in. Doing so is a long-term commitment because there isn't a large audience for 14 year old dogs, but we all believe they're worth it, especially when circumstances beyond their control lead to the situation in which they're being surrendered to us.

Sadly, "Kay Kay" (as her fosters now call her), is not a candidate for cataract surgery because both of her lenses have detached. But despite the fact she's fully blind, she finds her way around the house well and is very easy-going with the other resident dogs and cats. As we've spent some time with her, we've discovered some chronic health issues that will take time and a lot of funding to address, so in an effort to ensure she receives everything she needs for the rest of her days, we've inducted her into our Forever Foster Hall of Fame. The good news is that as we address each of the health issues, the fosters notice a positive difference in her. While she used to sleep a lot more (likely just from the headaches from the eye pressures), nowadays, you can find her just cruising around the house. Most of the time she just follows her nose to wherever the good food smells are coming from (her favorite place to be), BUT she certainly still enjoys a good nap and her sleep at the end of a good day. Thanks to all who make it possible for us to give her the best of care for the rest of her days!
STIMMY NKA TIMMY-JOE

Surrendered to GCCSR in August of 2022, this handsome young man was a bit of a hot mess. Full of anxiety and seemingly afraid of EVERYTHING, he exhibited a lot of 'defensive' behaviors that made it impossible for his parents to keep him in a house with small children who didn't understand how to read his body language. Thankfully, a prior adopter stepped up to the plate to foster him, and we worked with our vets to rule out medical issues for his behavioral problems. When we came up empty-handed in that regard, we experimented with some different medications to help take the edge off for him. Meanwhile, his very devoted, capable foster parents created a safe space for him in their home with one other cocker, and established consistency, routine and boundaries, all of which he thrived on.

Much like a kid in military school, the more structure, the better for him. This requires a lot of time, patience and sacrifice on the part of his family, but having seen the improvement he made in the first 14 months in our program, it was hard not to fall head over heels for him. The board approached them in September 2023 to see if they'd consider being his FOREVER FOSTER family, as while their intention was never to adopt, we can't imagine pulling him out of the home in which he is thriving. A couple of weeks later, they agreed!! Congratulations, little man!! You won the lottery!
HOPE

Hope is our fourth inductee into the Forever Foster Hall of Fame. Hope's prior owner tearfully surrendered her to us just before Christmas 2011, as she could no longer afford her care. The owner provided an inch thick file with all the vetting she had done, trying to help Hope with her severe allergy condition. After a year of diet changes, various medications and other treatments, our vet referred us to the Dermatology Department at GCVS, and Hope has now begun allergy injections. 


Although Hope is a very sweet dog, she did not show well at adoptions. She is incredibly shy and would hide behind her fosters' legs. However, in time, she really opened up at their home, enjoying the company of her two and four legged siblings immensely. They also took incredible care of her, bathing her often, constantly giving her meds, and always following dietary restrictions to a T, all of which are required for her comfort. In order to ensure Hope's happiness and continued vetting which has proven to be a 'tall order', we have inducted her into the Forever Foster Hall of Fame. Thank you for your donations to the Forever Foster Fund which will help us make sure Hope lives the rest of her days comfortably, peacefully and happily.