Foster A Pet Month

June marks National Foster a Pet Month, which was established by Petco Love, and the charitable shoe collection BOBS from Skechers to help normalize fostering. Here at The Gentle Pit, we can attest that becoming a foster pup parent has many benefits, with one of the major ones being that it decreases euthanasia rates. While speaking to My San Antonio in 2019, Susanne Kogut, president of Petco Love, explained that shelters in the United States would no longer need to euthanize their animals “[i]f less than two percent of the 85 million pet-owning households in the U.S. fostered one pet a year.” 

She went on to say fostering would likely be more popular “if more people knew about [its] lifesaving impact.” Kogut also insisted that anyone who enjoys the company of pets would be a suitable foster pup parent. She then encouraged those with families to consider fostering because “children can help and learn how to care for animals.”

While becoming a foster pup parent is an incredible experience, there are a few things to consider before taking on the responsibility. Now fostering is less of a commitment than adopting. However, depending on their needs, a foster animal may be placed in your care for months at a time. You should also have a relatively spacious home so the dog can have their own designated area if needed. In addition, you will need to inform the shelter if you already have pets at home, just in case the foster dog has issues with other animals.

Those who have determined fostering would be the right course of action, contact a representative from a nearby rescue or shelter. If you meet all the requirements, you will likely be matched with a foster dog. Before they arrive, be sure to have all the proper supplies, like bedding, kibble, and of course, some treats which is typically provided by the shelter you are fostering from. 

Have you fostered a dog before? Let us know in the comments below!