Fosters are what make our organization go, go, go! The more fosters we have, the more pups we can welcome into safe, loving environments before they are ready to be adopted into permanent, forever homes.
The LSAR Foster Program is simple: We supply the pet, just add food, shelter and love! We will take care of all approved veterinary costs (including medications) for your LSAR foster pet. We just ask you treat them like one of your own; give them food/water, a soft, safe place to lay their head, and lots of love.
You do not have to be a dog whisperer to apply! No degree or special training is required. But make no mistake, fosters are indeed very special people! Fosters must be loving, patient, giving and dedicated. If this sounds like you, we'd be delighted to have you on our team!
Please note: A complete (and approved) application, as well as a home visit are required to join the LSAR Foster Program. We are currently "recruiting" fosters within our service area only. Please apply to foster if you currently reside within Texas or Oklahoma.
FOSTER PROGRAM
Maggie
Stats: 12 years old, female
Location: TX
Intake: 07/2025
Adoption Fee: TBD
Social: #Maggie519
Maggie is a special senior that has joined us, and she's a 12.5 year old standard girl. We were contacted by her lifelong owners asking if we could help as she was said to have been injured by another dog in the home and was escaping the backyard where she lived. Thankfully, a wonderful foster agreed to open their home to her and see if we could help her be comfortable. When we got her, we were saddened to see the shape she was in. Common for an outside dog, her coat was a mess, she was eaten up with fleas, struggled to walk with an obviously lame leg, had fecal matter gathered in her britches, and a hacking cough. We were able to get her in to see our vet the next day to assess her overall.
First things first, her leg hip is out of place, but did not happen recently, so it can not just be popped back in. That means she either needs an FHO or an amputation. But x-rays shows significant arthritis throughout and the vet commented that both of her knees are basically trash from the arthritis, so amputation is off the table. We had a full senior panel done to check her overall health and to see if she could safely go through surgery for an FHO.
Sadly, but not surprisingly, she has Heartworms. We had pretty much figured that based on the cough and the x-rays showing her heart somewhat enlarged and with other changes noted typical of Heartworm disease. Other than that, her labs were decent, except for changes related to the Heartworm disease. She also has a UTI. So our game plan is to get her started on the slow kill Heartworm treatment along with the pain and anti-inflammatory meds and antibiotics she's already started on now. The vet will re-evaluate her in a month or so to see if they feel it is safe to go into surgery to fix her hip.
This girl needs all the prayers and positive thoughts. When we have loved so hard and lost dogs way before their time, it really hurts our hearts to see a sweet senior who has had such a rough life. But we are thankful that we are able to help her now. We will do everything in our power to make her time from here on out comfortable and she will know she is also so loved. She's working on getting down the routine in her foster home and feeling more and more comfortable in exploring more of the house, while seeking out her foster mom. She's also on a significant diet as the vet put her BCS at 7-8 (ideal is 4-5). With her hip issues, she needs to be on the lean side of ideal, so she has a good 10-15 lbs. to lose. We hope that will help gain some lifespan back for her as well! We are so excited to help her on her journey to a comfortable retirement. Welcome to LSAR Maggie! We've got you now!
Adoption applications for this pet will not be accepted at this time. All incoming Aussies are evaluated for a minimum 3 weeks to allow to them time to decompress and receive any necessary medical care. Applications will be accepted only when the pet's full and complete bio is posted here/facebook. If interested in this pet, please look for updates on our facebook page or bookmark this page in your browser. Thank you!