After close to twenty years and a variety of saves under his belt, Larry Abgarian is a force to be reckoned with in the San Diego rescue community. I met Larry last year when he was fostering SeniorPooch.com's very own Rusty, a dog that many felt was unadoptable, but whom Larry took a chance.
Since the start of SeniorPooch.com, I've received several folks who saw his name on a photo or as a reference on the site and had some story to share, so I felt it was about time to talk with him about a topic that he is well aversed: fostering dogs.
SP: Tell us a little about yourself and how you got started fostering animals. How long have you been at it?
LA: In late 1993, I went through a volunteer orientation at a San Diego animal shelter. Afterwards, we were given a tour of the facility. In the medical section, I came across a puppy alone in a kennel. It was dragging the right rear leg, and crying in obvious pain. A friend of mine, who was already a volunteer at the shelter, happened to be there. The story was that this 7 week old little girl was turned in by an owner, with a broken leg. The leg had not yet been attended to.The puppy was not yet up for adoption, and there was a strong likelihood of her being put to sleep. I asked my friend if she could speak to someone about me wanting to adopt the puppy as she was. It all worked out, and the next morning I took her to the veterinary hospital for surgery. I was informed that there was a rescue group called F.O.C.A.S. (Friends of County Animal Shelters) that would financially assist me in the cost of the surgery. I guess you could say that's where it all began..I volunteered with that group for 10 years.
"Nicky", that little black ball of fur, spent the rest of her 13 years with me, along with a host of other dogs and cats that I either fostered or adopted myself.
I met some wonderful people over the years through many rescue organizations. I am still actively working as a volunteer for several different groups, primarily Coastal German Shepherd Rescue San Diego.
Since the start of SeniorPooch.com, I've received several folks who saw his name on a photo or as a reference on the site and had some story to share, so I felt it was about time to talk with him about a topic that he is well aversed: fostering dogs.
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Larry and Lady Guinevere |
LA: In late 1993, I went through a volunteer orientation at a San Diego animal shelter. Afterwards, we were given a tour of the facility. In the medical section, I came across a puppy alone in a kennel. It was dragging the right rear leg, and crying in obvious pain. A friend of mine, who was already a volunteer at the shelter, happened to be there. The story was that this 7 week old little girl was turned in by an owner, with a broken leg. The leg had not yet been attended to.The puppy was not yet up for adoption, and there was a strong likelihood of her being put to sleep. I asked my friend if she could speak to someone about me wanting to adopt the puppy as she was. It all worked out, and the next morning I took her to the veterinary hospital for surgery. I was informed that there was a rescue group called F.O.C.A.S. (Friends of County Animal Shelters) that would financially assist me in the cost of the surgery. I guess you could say that's where it all began..I volunteered with that group for 10 years.
"Nicky", that little black ball of fur, spent the rest of her 13 years with me, along with a host of other dogs and cats that I either fostered or adopted myself.
I met some wonderful people over the years through many rescue organizations. I am still actively working as a volunteer for several different groups, primarily Coastal German Shepherd Rescue San Diego.