Fostered dogs kept, adopted, or returned to DAWG after critical need for homes during winter storm

DENISON, Texas (KXII) – 17 Families opened up their arms and homes for dogs this past week.

“It’s just giving your heart to an animal and being willing to sacrifice that for their wellbeing so that whenever they find a family they know what love is,” said Bonham resident, Shannon Loya, who fostered a dog for the first time.

After the Denison Animal Welfare Group, DAWG, was without heat or ventilation, ahead of freezing temperatures and snowfall, some animal lovers in Texoma provided a temporary foster home. “It really helped us be able to care for the ones that were still here,” said DAWG president, Stephanie Phillips. With an average of 25 to 30 dogs at any given time, this made all the difference. “Fostering really does save lives, and we hope people will continue to be interested in our foster program,” Phillips said.

Though DAWG appreciates the community stepping up and helping out during this time of need, fostering pups is needed year-round. “It’s a short-term commitment and we provide everything that you need. Really all you have to do is provide a warm, safe space for them and lots of love and it’s easy,” said Phillips. “Anyone can do it. You just come to us and we’ll give you all the help and support you need to help us get these animals adopted.”

Denison residents, Travis and Sarah Hunter also fostered a dog during the weather event. They said they have years of experience fostering animals of all kinds. “Animals are kind of like humans, we don’t know what the past is, we don’t know where they come from so going into fostering, it could have had a bad past and you have to be nurturing,” said Travis. “You need to make the adjustments for that dog because the dog doesn’t know where they are and it’s a new setting for them so be prepared to be patient and to just love them,” Sarah said.

With the shelter’s heat back up and running, on Sunday some people returned their pups to DAWG, others decided to keep them for a little longer and the rest are signing the adoption papers for their new furry friend.

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