Some hit your heart more than others, but you are saving them," said Mandy Vincolato, co-founder of Toby Time Animal Foundation, when explaining the benefits of fostering dogs that are waiting for their forever homes. "We know they are not our dogs. We are a stepping stone for them to find their homes. We can't keep them all. If we keep too many, then we can't save another one. As soon as you adopt one out, there is another one coming behind it."

Vincolato founded the southern Chester County-based Toby Time Animal Foundation along with Barb Hogstrom, both of whom are seasoned animal rescue volunteers. The newly formed rescue does not have a facility or kennel where dogs are placed, so it relies on fosters who keep the dogs in their homes while permanent owners can be found.

"We always need adopters because there are always dogs in need, but we (especially) need fosters," Vincolato said, noting that prospective fosters are asked to complete an application, provide references and sign a foster agreement.

Likewise, potential adopters are asked to fill out an application and take part in a home visit when applicable. "We have a Facebook page, and we are on Petfinder," explained Vincolato. "We send an electronic application, and we need vet references and personal references (for adopters). I like to go out to people's homes if they have a dog in the house already. I want to see how the dog is at their house."

The rescue also keeps in touch with adopters to ensure that all is going well.

Volunteers with the rescue recently visited Tractor Supply Co. in Parkesburg for Toby Time's first adoption event. Visitors were able to talk with founders, meet with adoptable dogs and their fosters and learn more about the organization.

According to Hogstrom, the rescue is named in honor of the two founders, who both lost dogs named Toby, which coincidentally both had the same nickname, Toby Time. The rescue was founded "to keep their dogs' spirits alive."

"Both of us were (volunteering with) rescues, but we decided to focus on this area," noted Hogstrom.

Among the dogs at the meet-and-greet event were Jett, a male Jack Russell terrier mix; Oreo, a female Jack Russell terrier puppy; ChaCha, a shiba inu and corgi mix; and Cedar, Violet, Lily and Aster, which are Australian shepherd puppies. Also up for adoption is Lola, a 4-year-old spayed Belgian shepherd/Malinois who was formerly a puppy mill breeding dog.

Ruth Burrell of Parkesburg came out to the event with her dog, Milo, whom Hogstrom fostered. Burrell follows the rescue on Petfinder. "His pictured popped up, and I fell in love," she stated.

Vincolato noted that future plans call for additional meet-and-greet gatherings at Tractor Supply. "This is our first of many adoption events, and we have so many pups looking for their forever home," she stated.

For more information about fostering or adopting or to view photos of adoptable dogs, search for "Toby Time Animal Foundation" on Facebook. The Facebook page also includes a link to the organization's page on Petfinder.com. Those with questions may email tobytimeanimalfoundation@yahoo.com.