On a recent sunny afternoon at Friends of the Animals Baton Rouge (FOTA), Charlotte happily cuddled with her latest foster dog, Clementine, a six-pound bundle of joy.
In 2020, around the time of the Covid-19 pandemic, Charlotte and her family began looking for a dog, hoping to find one that would be a right match for their personalities and lifestyles. Their regular visits to FOTA helped the whole family become more familiar with different dog personalities and needs.
“We took some of the dogs out and played with them. We got to know somewhat of their energy,” Charlotte explained.
Charlotte and her family ended up fostering several dogs through FOTA. She noted that the experience has been more of a partnership thanks to the organization’s ongoing assistance to foster families.
“They always provide food bowls and the food. They’ll pay for the dog’s medical care while they’re at FOTA so that whenever they get adopted, they’re healthy,” she said. “They’ll give you leashes. They’ll give you everything you need. They always make sure the dog’s placement is right, so they’ll never let a dog go to a place that’s not right for them.”
Charlotte has been so touched by her experiences with FOTA that she is now working to spread the word about the organization. Recently, Charlotte completed a marketing and communications project as part of the Junior Beta Convention. The project won sixth place among approximately 60 participating schools. Driven by Charlotte’s deep love for animals and a desire to help those in need, the project was intended to boost FOTA’s visibility and generate additional support for the organization.
Since starting in 2010, FOTA has found forever homes for more than 7,500 animals from Baton Rouge Metropolitan Area shelters and the Friends of the Animals Alternative to Shelter Surrender (FASS) program. The organization’s mission is to rescue, re-home or otherwise save as many dogs and puppies as possible from the Baton Rouge region. A wide variety of adoptable dogs and puppies are available at the Friends of the Animals Baton Rouge Dog Adoption house. All FOTA animals are spayed/neutered, up to date on vaccinations, and microchipped.
As a nonprofit organization, FOTA relies heavily on community support to continue its lifesaving work. Financial donations are accepted on an ongoing basis and are most often used for the dogs’ medical expenses, which are often extensive. Visit www.fotabr.org/donate to find out how to make a monetary contribution via check or online.
Those who want to support FOTA by volunteering can help at the Dog Adoption House any time between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays. Volunteer tasks can include exercising dogs, general cleaning, taking photos of adoptable dogs, and other needed help. Anyone 18 years of age or younger who wants to volunteer must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. To be scheduled as a volunteer, call 225-239-7368 or email friendsoftheanimalsbr@gmail.com.
Numerous studies have shown that having a dog in one’s life can lead to numerous physical and emotional benefits. These include constant companionship that can reduce loneliness, daily activities like walks and playtime that can improve the owner’s physical health while lowering stress, and increased social interactions with other dog owners and neighbors. However, before adopting a dog, individuals should carefully consider several factors, including time commitment, finding a dog that matches their lifestyle and home environment, ongoing costs for food, grooming, toys and vet care, and plans for the dog during trips or time spent away from home.
If you’re thinking about adopting a dog but are unsure about a long-term commitment, serving as a foster is the perfect opportunity. FOTA is in constant need of foster homes, which are temporary living arrangements while dogs wait for their forever homes. Living in a foster home helps a dog develop confidence and sociability, ultimately making them more adoptable. Overnight, weekend and long-term fosters are needed. Visit www.fotabr.org/foster-1 for more details.
Friends of the Animals Baton Rouge is located at 8476 Highland Road. For more information, visit www.fotabr.org, call 225-239-7368 or email friendsoftheanimalsbr@gmail.com.