by Rylee Zaragoza
Rescue work begins with one simple thing: a safe place. As an elementary school administrator, I spend my days creating environments where children feel protected, supported and free to grow. Fostering through Skiatook Paws and Claws Animal Rescue allows me to extend that same purpose beyond the school day and into my home, especially for dogs who need it most.
I have been an active foster for about seven years, and I have six dogs of my own, from pure bred Dalmatians to Pyrenees who all came from rescue. They are wonderful dogs, and I rely on my calm, welcoming pack to help rehabilitate foster intakes who need support learning those skills.
I most often foster whelping mamas — pregnant dogs or new mothers who deserve a calm, clean, warm space to bring their puppies into the world. Many of these mamas come from uncertain or unsafe situations. Some have lived outdoors, some have been abandoned, and some have never known consistency or care. When they arrive, they are often exhausted and unsure. My goal is to give them exactly what they need: safety, stability and the time to nurture their babies without fear.
My work in public education has taught me that beginnings matter. The environments we create during vulnerable moments can shape an entire future. That belief is at the heart of why I foster. Just as children thrive when they feel secure and supported, these mamas and their puppies flourish when given a peaceful place to rest and grow. Fostering is also how I strive to model compassion and service — not only in what I say, but in what I do.
Fostering whelping mamas is not glamorous. It includes late nights, constant cleaning and watching closely for signs that something might not be right. It means being present for births that are equal parts beautiful and intense. It means worrying when a puppy struggles and celebrating when each small milestone is reached. It is work that requires patience and commitment. But it is also deeply rewarding.
There is something powerful about watching a nervous mama slowly relax as she realizes she is safe. About seeing puppies open their eyes in a warm, clean space instead of the uncertainty they might have faced otherwise. Because of foster homes, these dogs are given a chance at health, stability, and ultimately, loving forever families.
Rescues like SPACAR depend on foster homes to save lives. Without fosters, there is nowhere for these dogs to go. By welcoming a whelping mama into my home, I am able to help save not just one life, but many.
Letting them go is always the hardest part. When the puppies leave and the mama moves on to her next chapter, the house feels quieter. But fostering is about loving deeply without holding tightly — knowing your role was never meant to be permanent, but essential. However, I know that when I let one go, there is a list of others waiting who need me. Each save, each perfect
forever family match, changes lives.
If you have ever thought about fostering, I encourage you to take that step. One of the most common misconceptions is that you have to do it alone. When you foster with Skiatook Pawws and Claws, you become part of a supportive network of experienced fosters, rescue coordinators and volunteers who are always there to help. There is guidance when you have questions, support during challenging moments and encouragement every step of the way.
You don’t need to be an expert. You don’t need a perfect home. You just need the willingness to open your door for a little while.
Whether it’s a whelping mama, a litter of puppies or a dog simply in need of a soft place to land, fostering changes lives — including your own. If you have room in your home and heart, Skiatook Paws and Claws Animal Rescue, as well as any local rescue organization close to you, is always in need of foster families willing to say “yes.”
I foster because I can. I foster because they need someone. And I foster because every life deserves a safe beginning.
“The environments we create during vulnerable moments can shape an entire future.” — Rylee Zaragoza
