June 12, 2008

The Humane Society seeks foster care volunteers

Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) is actively recruiting volunteers to provide foster care for kittens and dogs.
In addition, HSSV has planned a luau-themed adoption event on June 21. The Pets in Paradise Adoption Fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Humane Society Silicon Valley, 2530 Lafayette Street, Santa Clara.

The event will offer a large variety of dogs, cats and rabbits available for adoption. It will also feature games, activities, snacks and umbrella drinks while showing off the Society Dog's big green bus. All animals available for adoption are spay/neutered, vaccinated, micro-chipped and health and behavior tested

Kitten lovers who would like to help save kittens are in particular demand as the shelter is taking in dozens of kittens every day. Humane Society currently has 180 kittens in foster homes, but there are many more in need of foster care during this busy kitten season.

Foster care provides quality care for animals that are too young, need time to recover from an injury or need extra socialization and TLC. Foster parents are trained to care for the animals in their homes, providing them with social and medical attention so that they can eventually be adopted into permanent, loving homes. Last year, foster parents cared for more than more than 800 animals in need.

Beth Ward, vice president of animal and customer care for HSSV, has fostered kittens and dogs. She says being a foster parent is fun and very rewarding. “You definitely get a feeling of satisfaction and achievement,” Ward says. “There’s no greater feeling that bringing your litter of kittens or foster dogs back to the shelter and watching them get adopted into loving homes.”

Ward also points out that fostering is a great way for families who cannot afford to have a pet long term, experience the joys of caring for an animal in need. “The Humane Society provides food, fostering advice and veterinary care, so the only thing that a volunteer needs to provide is some love and attention,” Ward explains.

Individuals interested in becoming a foster parent, can visit the Humane Society’s Web site for more information at: http://www.hssv.org/you_can_help/volunteer/positions/foster.htm, or they can contact the Special Needs Department at (408) 727-3383 ext. 834 for dogs, and ext. 819 for kittens. People who would like to help but cannot foster kittens or dogs can donate Royal Canin kitten food, cat litter, towels or make a monetary donation. It costs about $25 a day to foster a mother cat and her five kittens.