The Okanagan Humane Society (OHS) is struggling to find specialized fosters for some of its rescues.
Cali the pitbull is one example. She was found tied to a park bench, abandoned, and shows signs of being abused by a male.
After boarding for four weeks at Bark n’ Fly, a dog boarding and daycare facility that partners with the OHS, Cali is still waiting for her last chance at life, her forever home.
“She’s a year-old pit bull, she’s about 90 pounds, and she’s solid muscle, so this girl had no boundaries, had no guidance, no training,” said OHS dog manager Tracy Barnes. “She’s a lot of dog, but she has a lot of love to give.”
Fosters undergo a screening to determine their experience and training with dogs. For Cali, she would need a home, preferably with a single woman who is previously trained with her breed and size and can provide the patience and dedication.
The OHS looks for those who have had previous training with challenging dog breeds, in addition to skills like dog training, animal care, husbandry, taking care of kittens and puppies, knowing how to bottle feed them, and keep regular checks of their health.
Fosters play a large part in the reintegration of a dog back into normalcy.
“Many of the animals have come in from horrible conditions and so they need to decompress and facilities like this and foster homes that can provide calm, gentle, warmth approach to bringing an animal into their home and working with them gradually, slowly, and letting them come out of their shell is a huge asset to our charity,” said Romany Runnalls, president of the OHS.
Rescue dogs given up
A lot of rescues are given up when they outgrow their puppy phase (around one to three years old). Additionally, dogs with specific needs are returned because of the foster’s lack of preparedness when it comes to dogs with triggers and trauma.
“Fosters for challenging dogs like Cali need to have the time, the experience, and the dedication to want to help this dog move on to its forever home,” said Barnes.
Barnes explains that there is an essential need for understanding the dog that one is planning to get and the commitment that comes with it.
“Make sure that you understand that when you get a puppy, or any dog for that matter, that it should be a lifetime commitment. They should become a part of your family, and they deserve their forever homes.”
Sudden increase in rescues
Since COVID, the number of animals that the OHS has received has risen exponentially. In 2022, it assisted more than 1,500 animals, which tripled to over 4,500 in 2025.
Inflation has also been a factor in the rise in dog rescues, according to Runnalls.
“People are struggling in many, many parts of our community with just affording their own shelter costs and food costs, much less extra costs associated with training and veterinary care for their animals, unfortunately,” said Runnalls.
The non-profit relies on donations from the community and is calling on them for support.
“The exponential increase in animals that we’ve seen over the last five years has definitely outstripped the resources available in terms of funding. So we are always looking for funding for the dogs, the cats, all of the animals that are coming in. Fundraising is done through events, grant support, and also just donations,” said Runnalls.
The OHS expressed its gratitude for its donors and partners who consistently work together and help find shelters for animals.