Best Friends Animal Society in Houston urges community to adopt or join “Foster Rally” to save lives
Animal shelters in Houston, and across the country, are struggling with higher intakes, while adoptions, fosters and rescues are not keeping pace. This has led to a population imbalance, with more animals in shelters, causing increased strain on shelter staff and the current shelter crisis. With most U.S. shelters at or over capacity, pets are more at risk for being killed due to lack of space.
In response, Best Friends in Houston is teaming up with Lifeline of Galveston and Galveston Animal Resource Center for a foster speed dating event on February 11 – just in time for Valentine’s Day. Now is the time for Houstonians to step-up and help by temporarily opening their home to a pet in need. The foster program kicks off this Saturday from 10 am-2 pm at the Galveston Animal Resource Center. Those interested should fill out a dating profile to get matched with their perfect foster pet.
“The lives of too many animals are at stake—the current shelter crisis is putting insurmountable pressure on shelters and their capacity limits,” said Sophia Proler Lifesaving Programs Manager, Best Friends in Houston. “By fostering pets on their way to their forever home, not only are you helping them, but you’re making space for another animal in need. So far in 2023 we are seeing numbers like never before, but we know from experience that when communities step-up we’re able to make even bigger and better changes.”
Galveston ARC is excited to host the Foster Speed Dating event with both Lifeline of Galveston and Best Friends Animal Society in Houston. “Like the rest of the greater Houston area, Galveston is feeling the effects of having an overflow of animals in our municipal shelters’ care and since the influx of animals doesn’t seem to be slowing down, we welcome new and experienced fosters to experience the rewarding experience of housing these dogs and cats,” said Caroline McKenna, Executive Director, Lifeline of Galveston County. “Even in the most trying times, we have always been able to count on our community here in Galveston County and we strongly believe our matching making skills will allow us to create perfect foster matches, giving our amazing available pets at our municipal shelters a perfect new valentine.”
To help during this crisis, fill out a foster dating application here: https://airtable.com/shr72MBZZKvXgJCdt or come to Galveston ARC this Saturday February 11th between 10am-2pm to be matched with a pet. Foster matches are made based on your lifestyle and availability to help.
Lifeline of Galveston will cover all medical expenses for the animals, along with providing any supplies caregivers need including food, crates, and beds while they are in foster homes. Typically, fostering requires a 2-3 week commitment, but keeping your foster pet (if possible) until a forever home can be found is an important part of their growth and success.
For those not currently able to foster a pet, donations can always be made via Lifeline’s Amazon wishlist.
“We know that shelters are taking in more animals than those that are going to loving homes, we see it every day. That said, we also know that animals being in foster homes is the ideal way for us to find the best matches for animals. Fostering allows animals to thrive outside of a shelter environment and can be a lifesaving bridge giving animals an opportunity to learn that people can be kind, food is available, and there is a warm, secure place to sleep.” said Proler.