Volunteer Spotlight: Deb Ward - A Driving Force Behind Foster Tales
Deb Ward is one of the most compassionate, dedicated, and inspiring people you’ll ever meet. Over 12 years ago, our founder, Courtney, met Deb while they were both rescuing retired racing greyhounds. Deb not only shared her vast knowledge of rescue management with Courtney, but also trained her to become a placement representative for FastFriends Greyhound Adoption. Through Deb, Courtney learned the importance of professionalism, quality care, and commitment to the well-being of dogs, fosters, and adopters alike.
With greyhound racing nearly gone in the United States and Mexico, Courtney saw an opportunity to reconnect with Deb. She reached out, inviting her to join Foster Tales and bring her passion for rescue to a new group of dogs in need. Thankfully, Deb said yes! Now, she travels every weekend from her home in Santa Clarita, making the long trips to Merced, Modesto, and even San Francisco to facilitate adoptions. Along the way, she picks up foster dogs, connecting them with their forever homes.
Deb’s commitment has been a game-changer for Foster Tales. She has driven thousands of miles and helped nearly 100 dogs find loving homes. Her dedication and love for the cause have truly transformed our rescue efforts. Get to know more about the incredible Deb in her interview below—she’s a true hero for dogs everywhere.
How and when did you first get into rescue?
Not that it is the SAME as rescue, but I first started working with rehoming retired greyhounds in late 1999. I adopted my 1st retired racer, attended a Retirement Day (when a group of greyhounds get off the track in one day) shortly after that and brought home a broken leg dog to foster. It has been retired racers ever since then until I started running into other dogs that needed homes…like my street rescue, Bitty, lab/pit mix, who joined us in 2001, then the Pitti that I “sponsored” in Northern California at a shelter I became familiar with, and it has just continued since then.
Deb Ward, volunteer and board member for Foster Tales.
What drives you to help dogs in need?
Speaking as a retired Registered Nurse, I have always been focused on those who need help, and animals in need just seem to be an extension of that.
What’s your advice for people who want to get into rescue?
Identify your skill set(s) AND your limits. You HAVE to have a solid core in order to know where to draw the line and set your limits. I am one of those folks who would pick up earthworms on the sidewalk and toss them into the grass to give them a chance…but I don’t bring them home to try to heal. After 20+ years of fostering, mostly greyhounds, I know I can’t foster anymore because of my current pack, but when that changes, I may start fostering again. I know my cry-level is pretty low so there is no way I could walk through the shelters every week.
How do you preserve and protect your mental health as a rescue worker?
You can’t be a strong volunteer unless you take good care of yourself and monitor your limits…and stick to them. There is ALWAYS something that needs doing in rescue work and it is really easy to lose sight of yourself, your family and other obligations.
What responsibilities do you have as a sitting Board Member?
My obligation is to the mission of FosterTales…making sure that our decisions as a group help move us towards the accomplishments of the mission. And when you look at our mission, there are 360 degrees of ways to accomplish that mission…coming up with new ideas, putting in volunteer hours, donating when possible, spreading our recognition to get others to help us meet these goals, and so on!
What does a typical day/week in rescue look for you?
On transport days, I have to get up and on the road to get to Bakersfield early enough to load up the dogs getting new homes that day. Then, we head north…Merced, usually, but also Modesto and San Fran have had deliveries locally. After the adopters get to meet and walk their new companion, we do the paperwork, they get on the road and I head back home. During the week, I occasionally will provide transport to other adoption groups, mostly greyhounds, but I also have made a few trips for other dog adoption groups. My furthest trip was to Oregon, this time last year. One of the retired racers with seizures got rehomed to a couple who are experts with seizure dogs.
I feel like I have had a good life and I don't have any fancy talents or strengths, but I can make good use of my extra time to give back to the universe as a way of thanks for my life.
Deb’s pack of 8 greyhounds relaxing in her SoCal home. Can you count all of them?
