San Diego Offers Brand New Program to Help Find Fosters for 1100 Dogs
All across the country, there are countless dogs (really, all pets) in need of a loving home. The numbers are devastating, and the unfortunate reality is, they continue to grow.
As a way to combat these numbers, a group of shelters and rescues in San Diego have teamed up to create Project Dog Foster, as we see in this report from CBS. This incredible initiative allows folks to foster dogs (free of charge, with food, supplies and medical care provided), if even just for a few days, as a way to give these dogs a break from shelter life.
I can't even begin to express how much I love this. It's such a great idea and I have a feeling this will genuinely encourage people to foster these pups (who absolutely need some extra love and compassion in their lives) with hopes of potentially upping the rate of adoption all the same.
The simple idea of just getting these dogs out of their kennels for a weekend getaway—or again, really any amount of time—is what I love the most, though. It will provide such a positive boost of mental and physical stimulation in their lives. Being trapped inside a kennel for over 20 hours a day is hard to fathom, surrounded by all the chaos that comes with a shelter no less. That's why I love that they're making it so easy for us all to help.
More About Project Dog Foster
Project Dog Foster is a genius, heartwarming initiative that stemmed from the idea of bringing San Diego Humane Society, along with multiple other members of the San Diego Animal Welfare Coalition together to do their part in combatting overpopulation in shelters and rescues.
Whether you want to foster one of these cuties for a few days or a few weeks, they make it as easy as possible to give these pups the chance at experiencing life outside the shelter, if even just temporarily.
The best part is—it's completely free AND they provide all the food, supplies and medical care that each dog needs. "You just provide the home and the love!" they mention on their website.
All of these shelters and rescues are more overwhelmed than they've ever been and are far beyond overcapacity. That's why they're looking for San Diego residents to lend them a hand and provide some love and care for these pups, again, if even just for a day or two—they all need it now more than ever.
While each organization will have their own general requirements, here is a good starting point from the San Diego Humane Society:
- Must be at least 18 years old. (If you're under 18 but want to get involved, they suggest talking to your shelter about how you can help!)
- Must reside in San Diego County.
- A schedule that allows you to meet the needs of foster animals in your care.
- Completion of online training prior to fostering your first pet.
- Reliable transportation.
I can only hope that other areas will adopt this idea, because there's no shortage of loving pets at shelters and rescues all across the country. We can make such a difference when we all come together like this, and I just love to see it. I'm extremely interested myself, and can't wait to learn more.
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