Every
year, tens of thousands of unwanted and homeless pets come through the doors of
the Dumb Friends League. Sometimes, those pets aren’t immediate candidates for
adoption due to their age or medical condition. Last year alone, 2,946 such pets
received temporary, life-saving foster care through the
League’s Homes with Hearts foster care program and in the homes of 453 foster
volunteers.
“Fostering truly matters, said Theresa Geary, the League’s vice president
of operations. “It changes the course of an animal’s
life. By opening up their hearts and homes, whether for two weeks or two
months, our foster volunteers help give homeless pets a second chance.”
The Dumb Friends
League is looking for more foster volunteers to provide temporary care for pets
in their home until they are ready for adoption or until space is available at
one of the League’s two shelters. Foster families are provided with food,
bedding, toys, cat litter and other supplies, as well as veterinary care for
the foster pets as needed.
Pets needing foster care include kittens
and puppies that are too young for adoption, as well as cats and dogs nursing
their litters, those recovering from an illness or injury and those that would
benefit from extra socialization. The Dumb Friends League also utilizes foster
parents to help provide needed space at the shelters for incoming animals.
“You
do get attached,” said foster volunteer Beth Link. “However, it’s more
rewarding to know that pets are finding good homes, and you have the ability to
help even more pets.”
