On Sunday, June 26th shelters across the Lowcountry are joining forces to host a Lowcountry Foster Fair at four different locations in the Tri-county area. The event comes at as shelters across the state remain overcapacity (as reported by the Post and Courier earlier this month).
“There are unique programs that people of all ages can get involved with, including ‘day out of the shelter' field trips, sleep overs, and bottle feeding,” said Charleston Animal Society Director of Behavior Services Donya Satriale. “It's true that people get just as much out of fostering as the animals do.”
When you foster, the shelters will cover all costs.
“We are looking for BFFs,” said Dorchester PAWS Rescue and Rehabilitation Manager Lanea Wilson. “BFFs are Best Friend Fosters — who will open their homes to animals who are struggling in shelter environment. There are so many ways to get involved!”
The Best Friend Foster Program is a vital part of the organizations’ life-saving efforts for one of the most at risk populations of animals, those in need of behavioral evaluation and support. Best Friend Fosters provide invaluable information about what an animal's true behaviors will be in a home by removing the stress associated with living in a shelter environment. Additionally, Best Friend Fosters provide behavioral support through utilizing assigned behavior modification techniques. As a best friend, you make it possible for area shelters to successfully place dogs into loving homes with the behavioral support they need.
Fostering animals helps save thousands of lives every year. When people take a homeless pet into their home on a temporary basis, it expands the capacity of an organization and gives the animal a break from the stress of living in a shelter.
“Our area shelters do an amazing job saving lives and fostering is a key to the lifesaving success we see in the Lowcountry,” said Pet Helpers Animal Behavior Manager Alexis Kaul.
The Foster Fair coincides with the National Foster Program sponsored by Petco Love to cap off National Foster Month in June. According to Petco Love, if just 2% of pet-owning households would foster, we could end preventable euthanasia in U.S. shelters.
Families are encouraged to come to learn all the fostering opportunities available in their hometowns. People can learn what's involved in fostering: dogs, puppies, kittens, cats, nursing mothers, long-stay animals. The Lowcountry Foster Fair will take place from 11 am – 2 pm on Sunday, June 26th at these locations:
