Pets can benefit from a break, just like people. So Fort Bend County Animal Services is encouraging families and individuals to foster an adoptable dog or cat over the holidays.
The holiday foster program has been going on for a few years. Barbara Vass, Animal Services assistant director and lifesaving programs manager, said people who might be considering adopting a new pet or who just want to help animals on a short-term basis can have a good experience and see what the pet is like in the home, with people, children and other animals, and in situations like being on a leash.
“It gives the dog or the cat an opportunity to get a kennel break,” Vass said. “They don't have to be here for the holidays. And it gives a family a chance who may not be ready to commit full time to having a pet to see how it is having them in their home for a little while.”
Even when the animals do not get adopted by the foster families, the shelter is able to use the information from the stay to share with future adoptive families.
She said the shelter is always overcrowded - they currently have more than 140 dogs in house. Being in crates is stressful for the animals. The staff tries to give each pet time outside its crate each day, but sometimes it can be challenging with staffing shortages. Vass said having a few days of roaming or just hanging out in a home can brighten their spirits. Senior dogs particularly enjoy a break from all the barking.
“It gives them a chance to get some rest, some love, you know, some time outside and some new experiences,” Vass explained. “So we're always hoping that people will just take a few days just to give the pet a little bit of a break.”
The holiday foster program has been successful in the past at finding forever homes for pets. Some foster families extend their time with the pet, then find it has become a part of the family and adopt it permanently.
Instead of going all in to adopt a dog or cat when they may not be completely sure about the big commitment, people can start slower with fostering and see how things work out. Some families, Vass said, always thought they wanted a bigger dog but after getting one home realize a smaller dog or a cat may be a better option. So she said a holiday foster can be a win-win: a learning experience for the person and a break for the animal.
The holidays can put people in a time crunch, but they can still holiday foster a dog or cat around New Year’s even if they aren’t able to get to the shelter by Christmas.
Vass recommends if possible, bringing the dog that’s already at home to the shelter to see if it and the foster pet will be a good match and get along well together.
People who are renting should check if they are allowed to have an animal and what size is permitted.
Animal Services is ready to supply what a holiday foster pet needs for its stay, including food and a crate. Plus, the staff is available to answer email questions about the foster pets if needed, even on the holidays.
Dogs and cats ready to be fostered or adopted can be viewed at www.fortbendcountypets.com. People can also visit the shelter in person at 1210 Blume Road in Rosenberg. The shelter’s hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays. It is closed to the public on Mondays. The shelter will be closed for the holidays Dec. 23 to Dec. 25 and Dec. 31 to Jan. 1.
tracy.maness@hcnonline.com
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Give a pet a break: Fort Bend County dogs and cats ready to be fostered for the holidays - Houston Chronicle
"break" - Google News
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