WHEN animals come into Horsham People for Animal Welfare and Support’s foster care program there are some that might need more work than others.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
However, this should not discourage people from opening their hearts said Horsham PAWS president Carolyn Stow.
Just like a person a dog has a unique personality. They can be outgoing and boisterous or shy and timid.
Regardless of their personality, Ms Stow said every dog deserved a loving home.
She said Horsham PAWS worked with each animal in their foster care program to feel confident and ready for their new families.
“There are times where we have dogs come in and we need to do some work with them,” she said.
“We cover a range of dogs that have come to us in different circumstances, but all they needed is that extra time and care to bring them out of their shell.
“It is important for us to go that extra mile to make sure each dog is fit and healthy.”
Ms Stow said a great success story was with a dog named Buddy who came to Horsham PAWS quite timid.
“We did not expect him to be adopted straight away,” she said.
“It took two to three months, which is not a long period of time, but it was enough to help him build his confidence.
“He has come a long way from when he first came to us and when we found him his perfect family.”
Buddy was adopted by Jen and her family four weeks ago.
Jen said Buddy was hesitant in the beginning. She said when she first met him he would not let her pat him.
“I had a pocket full of treats and he would come up and take a treat out my hand, but that was as close as he would get,” she said. Once Buddy moved in with his new family, Jen said he was “going ahead in leaps and bounds.”
“He spent the first week hiding in the garden shed because he was quite timid. He was defecating and weeing whenever some one went to pick him up,” she said.
“But now he comes inside, he doesn’t cringe when people go to pat him, he loves going into the car and there have been no more accidents.”
Jen said timid dogs should not be overlooked.
“Timid dogs are only timid from the sad life they once had. If you feel you can improve their lifestyle, it will improve their demeanor as well,” she said.