Article by Sam Roering. Photo by Sam Roering.
Every year, millions of pets enter animal shelters, and many never find permanent homes. Fostering is a short-term solution that can make a huge difference.
Especially in the winter, animal shelters end up overcrowded. By temporarily opening your home, you can help reduce the fill of those shelters.
It not only frees up space in shelters, but it allows the animals to adjust to home life, making them more adoptable. Whether it’s a few weeks or a few months, every foster placement helps.
“Fostering makes a really big impact. We typically have the same amount of pets in our foster homes as we do in our shelter. It’s like having a whole second shelter,” said Bryn Liffrig, an animal services coordinator at the Tri-County Humane Society.
It’s better for the animals physically as they get exposed to less bacteria than they would in the shelter. Homes tend to be cleaner, making them less likely to get sick.
It’s also beneficial for the animals mentally. Animals tend to be happier in the home setting rather than the shelter. They get more socialization and are better prepared for when they finally find their forever homes.
It can be a big responsibility to take an animal in, even just short term. That’s why shelters support foster families throughout the process. The Humane Society provides key resources to all of their foster families, from litter to different types of food.
This is made possible by donations that the shelter receives. For those who can’t give a pet a home, donating to them is just as effective. It allows the shelters to provide more resources and find foster homes for more pets.
Though the pets benefit from the fostering, the foster family’s lives change just as positively. This makes it a good opportunity on both sides.
“Fostering saves lives. It can really make an impact on an individual animal’s pathway through the shelter,” Liffrig said.
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