Home for the holidays? Humane Society of Summit County seeks dog fosters for holiday season
The Humane Society of Summit County is looking for volunteer foster families who can provide temporary care in their homes for shelter dogs over the holidays.
The no-time-limit facility in Twinsburg is currently home to nearly 100 dogs, the most since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"HSSC hopes the community can provide these pets some respite from shelter life for a few weeks over the holidays," the facility, which serves an average of 2,500 pets a year, said in a press release.
“Fostering is great for our dogs because it allows them to relax and enjoy some time in a home away from the shelter. We also learn more about their personalities from the foster families to help match them with the perfect forever home," said adoption and behavior supervisor Ashley Botz. "Almost half of our foster volunteers end up adopting their foster dog, and that’s a great outcome, too.”
Interested families can sign up to volunteer by completing a short online form at summithumane.org/foster. A staff member will contact volunteers to help select a dog that matches their home life and family and schedule a time to pick up the dog.
Supplies, food and toys are provided by the humane society, and all animals are fully vetted and up-to-date on vaccinations. Foster volunteers must be able to transport animals back and forth from the shelter for vet appointments and adoption showings, with the frequency varying by dog. Staff are available remotely to provide advice and support for foster families.
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"The holidays can be a difficult time for many and, in addition to providing comfort and care for shelter animals, we think this program can help people who are in need of companionship at this time of year," Humane Society of Summit County President and CEO Diane Johnson-Owens said. "Additionally, fostering provides relief to our staff who have been working tirelessly to provide for such a high volume of animals. Foster volunteers can truly make a difference in the life of a homeless animals in this season of giving.”
The Humane Society of Summit County serves animals that are victims of cruelty, abuse, neglect and abandonment rescued from within the county and is the only organization with the authority to enforce humane law and investigate allegations of cruelty to animals.
Contact Beacon Journal reporter Emily Mills at emills@thebeaconjournal.com and on Twitter @EmilyMills818.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Humane Society of Summit County seeks dog fosters for holidays
