A temporary home is a permanent gift
Without exception, foster parents and foster homes are in short supply and high demand for every single shelter and rescue group. Without foster families to send animals to, rescue groups cannot "pull" animals deemed "unadoptable" by shelters. And without rescue groups coming to "pull" animals, shelters are forced to euthanize animals who are injured or fearful or undersocialized.
Fostering is one of the most helpful and meaningful things any private citizen can do to help animals and the shelters that are too overcrowded and understaffed to house and socialize all of our orphans. Fostering an animal (or a litter) is like fostering a child who is in between homes and down on his luck. You provide food, water, shelter, medical care and most importantly, love and socialization. Many animals are rejected by shelters because they are not "adoptable". This means that a dog or a cat is poorly behaved or possibly very fearful of people. If the shelter knows they cannot place the animal in his current state, a foster home is the last hope.
Do you have a nice, quiet, warm home and the time and patience to provide all the TLC and structure a young or damaged animal needs to become somebody's pet. If you choose to foster a dog or puppies, you will need to be able to take him to Starbucks and Petco and random public places so he can become comfortable with all types of people, dogs and children.
Foster for the San Jose Animal Care & Services Center
Many animals that arrive at the City of San Jose Animal Care Center are not quite ready to be put up for adoption due to illness, injury or age. Without the temporary care of devoted "Foster Parents" these special needs homeless animals face euthanasia. Sadly, the shelter simply does not have the space or resources to nurture them until they are healthy enough to be put up for adoption. Giving an animal a chance to grow strong and healthy enough to come back to the shelter for permanent placement is often literally a lifeline! Some animals like underage kittens and puppies only need a week or two in a foster home until they're of adoptable age. Others who are sick or injured may need a little more recovery time in their foster homes. In either case you supply the TLC, we'll supply the food and medical care.
If you think you might be ready to open your heart and home to a special needs animal, download the ACS Foster Pal Application and call SJACS Foster Coordinator Kelly Trevillian at (408) 794-7246.
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