06/05/2026
When we decided to start a rescue, we were very clear on our goals to make sure 50% of our rescue population was from local sources, prioritizing Chicago dogs as much as possible. Overall, since being approved as a transfer partner with CACC, we feel like we have done a reasonably good job making sure we meet these goals. Lately, however, we feel stuck -- and it's really eating at us.
CACC is full of so many incredible dogs. Absolutely beautiful souls just hoping that their number gets pulled and they get to make it out and get a new lease on life. For many, that goal will not become a reality, and I do not believe that we are doing everything we can do to help contribute to the positive outcomes.
For some reason, whenever we ask for fosters for dogs from the shelter, we receive nothing. No offers. No tags. No support.
This usually means that if we want to save dogs from CACC, we have to foster them ourselves. As a foster-based rescue, we try really hard to keep our own homes open for emergencies. When fosters have to suddenly move or go out of town and one of our dogs needs a place to crash, it's our responsibility. We have never had one of our dogs in a boarding facility, and hope to never have to, but the reality is that as a foster-based rescue, we are limited to what we can say yes to. If we say yes without a plan, WE become the plan. If we are the plan for these CACC dogs, we cannot also responsibly be the backup plan for emergencies within the rescue. It leaves us feeling very stuck.
If you have ever considered fostering a dog from the shelter but haven't pulled the trigger, please share with us what is holding you back? What can we do to help get these dogs out of the shelter and onto your couch? Is there some incentive we could offer? Is there some misinformation that we can clear up that is causing widespread hesitation? If you're not comfortable talking about it in the comments, please feel free to message us - judgement free - and let us know where the hesitation is stemming from so that we can start to tackle the obstacles that are preventing us from hitting our intake benchmarks this year.
Thank you, friends. ❤
