As a “temporary mom” to various foster kittens (as well as “mom” to four cats), fostering is something near and dear to my heart.
Actress and animal advocate Alison Eastwood is known for her nonprofit animal rescue organization Eastwood Ranch Foundation. Its goal is to rescue animals from high-kill shelters as well as to reduce pet overpopulation and increase pet adoptions through campaigns, events, education, spay/neuter programs and rescue partnerships.
Now, Alison has launched Foster Fur Kids, a cutting-edge national database that has the potential to change the rescue community forever. It connects rescue groups and animal shelters with a nationwide network of pet fosters and transporters. Anyone interested in becoming a foster can sign up to connect with rescue groups and shelters. Fosters can set up their own profile and list preferences including the type of animal they’d like to foster, breed, age, temperament, energy level and the length of time they can foster.
“Being a foster is a great way to have a dog or cat without the expense and long-term commitment,” Alison says. “Every pet placed in a foster home opens up valuable space for a rescue organization to take in another shelter animal before they’re euthanized.”
The database gives animals temporary homes and a chance at life — helping to ease the overpopulation of animals at U.S. shelters and rescues. Fostering helps keep open spaces for rescue organizations without their own facilities that rely almost exclusively on fosters. Rescues signed up with FosterFurKids.com supply food, beds, leashes, bowls, litter and vet care. And the database is free. People can also pledge or donate toward a specific pet’s foster fund through a link on the individual pet’s profile page. For more information, visit fosterfurkids.com or eastwoodranch.org.
Editor’s note: This article appeared in Dogster magazine. Have you seen the new Dogster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting room of your vet’s office? Subscribe now to get Dogster magazine delivered straight to you!
