And they call it puppy love. Or kitty love. Or just a plain ol' love for animals. Some people will do anything in their power to help a helpless puppy or kitten (or dog or cat) find a safe home. Such is the case of Gregg County resident Darcelle Cowles. She became a foster mom for local humane societies for the first time five years ago and has been hooked on helping ever since.
|
Friends Darcelle Cowles and Lori Morgan spend their time fostering shelter animals. Through their program, GotPaws?, these women are able to provide temporary, in-home care for dogs until they are adopted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Troy Morgan, Lori's husband, donated land to allow his wife and Darcelle to expand their GotPaws? adoption program.
|
"My first dogs were Timmy and Trevor, wiry scruffy terrier-mix brothers, and they were adorable! Someone had dropped them off at the shelter, and for unvaccinated puppies to go into the shelter was an instant death sentence," Darcelle said. "I rehabilitated them, vaccinated them and found them two great homes. For one family with young children, the pup was their first pet! It was very rewarding to see that Timmy and Trevor got great homes with people who would make sure they were part of the family and not just 'outside yard dogs.' What can I say? I was hooked! Working to save helpless lives is the greatest experience."
GotPaws?
Like most animal shelters, the ones Darcelle works with take in dozens of animals each week — adding up to thousands a year. At the Humane Society of Northeast Texas alone, 10,217 animals came through their doors in 2008; sadly, only 21 percent were adopted or returned to their owners.
Since Darcelle's first adoption, she started her own animal rescue and placement group, GotPaws? She, along with her friend, Hallsville resident Lori Morgan, work to provide temporary, in-home care for friendly dogs until they are adopted. They run a Web site as part of Petfinder.com, where they have contact information and pictures of the pups they currently house. Between the two of them, they keep 30-40 dogs at a time, giving each one the affection they need while providing basic care for the animals such as food, water, shelter and occasional trips to the vet, if needed.
"There are so many adoptable animals in the shelters that unfortunately have to be put down because there's just not enough room in the kennels," Darcelle said. "That's where we step in. We take as many as we can and care for them until we can find them a home. It's like we're giving them a second chance."
Why there's a need
Admittedly, it's not a painless job. For Darcelle and Lori, the only truly hard part is having to act as the judge and jury for the animals at the shelter, deciding which ones they take and which ones they leave behind.
"It's so hard to say 'I'll save you, but I can't save you.' But ... you just can't take them all," Darcelle said.
Also, the ability to foster the pups turns into a temptation to keep them for yourself. Bonds are formed, attachments are made, but in the end they realize that keeping a cuddly pooch would only limit the amount they can save.
"Once upon a time I worked at the Humane Society of Northeast Texas; I saw how many animals went out in bags every day because there wasn't enough space for them," Darcelle said. "Now, I foster them to find them homes. People always ask me, 'How can you give them up?' It's simply that if we can find them a great home, I will have a space to save the next one who needs me. These animals ask for so little but they give us so much."
Why it's worth it
Their days are busy ones. When they're not visiting area shelters (they travel to Henderson, Longview, Marshall and Nacogdoches facilities) to decide which pups to save from their likely sad fate, Darcelle and Lori care for their already-saved pooches — taking a joyride to the vet for vaccinations and heartworm checks, answering e-mails about adoptions and reviewing applicants who have shown interest in a certain animal. On weekends you can find the two standing outside Petco, PetSmart or any other business that allows sidewalk adoption events as they help find owners for their furry four-legged friends. All this, plus full-time jobs for each, leaves them with little time for much else. But, ah, the joys of helping those that can't help themselves.
"All the time, all the labor ... it's all worth it," Lori said. "The happy endings for these great dogs makes me cry tears of joy occasionally. Dogs will be adopted and months down the road we may get a card with a picture of the family with their animal, and it just feels like everything is how it's supposed to be — everything's right."
