chicago-Area Animal Shelters Issue Urgentโ plea for Foster Homes Amid Surge in Surrenders
Localโข animal shelters are facing a critical shortage of foster homes as a โคgrowing number of โpet owners are being forced to surrender their โanimalsโ due to financial hardship and othre challenges. PAWS Chicago and Humane Indiana are among the organizations overwhelmed with surrendered dogs andโข cats, creating a desperate need for temporary care providers.
The influx of surrendered โpets is drivenโ by rising costs of pet ownership – including foodโ and veterinary care -โค leaving many families unable to provide forโข their โขanimals. “Theโ cost of food, the cost of veterinarian care, it’s overwhelming,” explained Paula Fasseas, Founder and โExecutive Chair โขof PAWS Chicago. “Many people have had multiple pets, and they will โcome and stand in line at Animal Care and Control and say, ‘We can’t keep โคthem.'” This โขsituation placesโค immense strain onโฃ already limited shelter resources and underscores the vital role foster familiesโ play in โanimal welfare.
Humane Indiana Shelter & Clinic is also experiencing a meaningful need for foster support. “Weโ desperately need fosters,”โข said Senior Director jessica Petalas.”We’re really looking for kitten fosters,cat fosters,and fosters that are willing to โฃtake large breed dogs.” The association offers digital training to new foster families and provides support to ensure accomplished placements.
Even if unable to adopt, individuals can make a โคsubstantial difference by openingโค their homes to a pet in need.Fosteringโฃ provides temporary care,freeing up space in shelters andโฃ allowing animals to receive individualized attention while awaiting permanent homes.
Those interested in fostering or adopting can find more facts at https://www.pawschicago.org/ โฃand https://www.humaneindiana.org/.
