NOTICE: The shelter is closed temporarily. Thank you for you understanding. We are checking our phone messages regularly.

Our Weekly Falmouth Enterprise Column

By Anna Dos Santos

Friday, September 4, 2020

In addition to our primary service of finding homes for surrendered or stray dogs, we also provide foster care for dogs on a limited basis. Foster dogs have come to our attention in a variety of ways. There have been several cases when a medical emergency occurs and medical responders find a dog that needs care. In those cases, the animal control officer is called and takes temporary custody of the dog. If no family is found that can take care of the dog, no other care option is identified and the dog will need care for several weeks, Friends of Falmouth Dogs might be able to provide foster care while the animal control officer retains their temporary custody.

There have been cases when Friends of Falmouth Dogs has been contacted by friends or family of a dog owner who has experienced a medical emergency and cannot care for their dog. If we are able to do so, we will assume temporary custody of the dog and find a foster home as soon as possible. Another common circumstance that leads to dogs needing a foster home is the loss of a place to live. We have two wonderful dogs in our foster care program who are waiting for their owners to find new housing that allows dogs.

In all these cases, Friends of Falmouth Dogs will provide foster care only when there are no other options available and the owner cannot afford to pay for boarding their dog for an extended period of time. Another factor that limits our ability to provide foster care is the number of people who have volunteered to be foster parents. If you are interested in volunteering to be a foster parent for a dog in need, please call our office at 508-548-7742 and leave us a message with your name and number, and someone will be in touch.

If your dog needs to see a veterinarian for care, including vaccines, shots, heartworm and tick medications, but you are experiencing financial difficulties, call us. We can help pay the cost through our Medical Assistance for Veterinary Care program. Our local partners are Deer Run Veterinary Services, South Cape Veterinary Clinic and Falmouth Animal Hospital. We can work with other veterinarians who are willing to bill Friends of Falmouth Dogs or accept our credit card payment over the phone for their services.

The second program we are offering during the pandemic is Food for Your Dog. If paying for your dog's food has become a real challenge, we will provide a voucher for up to $60 worth of dry or canned dog food. These vouchers will be redeemable at Uptown Dog on Route 28A in West Falmouth or at Falmouth Pet Center on Route 28 near Stop & Shop.

To participate in the programs, please call our office at 508-548-7742, Monday through Friday, and leave a message specifying what you need. Please be sure to state your name and phone number slowly and clearly. Volunteers will be checking messages each weekday and will return your call to collect needed information and process your request.

When we reopen, you can visit Friends of Falmouth Dogs Wednesday to Friday from 10 AM to noon and from 4 to 6 PM, Saturday from 10 AM to noon and Sunday from 4 to 6 PM.