The Lakeland Humane Society (LHS) is hoping someone will want to give a furry friend a home for the holidays.
Every year at Christmastime, the LHS reaches out to the public asking for foster homes for a brief period.
Not only does it give the animals a break from the shelter, but it also gives families a taste of owning a pet, noted shelter manager Kyla Hunter.
Right now, LHS is accepting applications to foster adoptable animals at the shelter.
One thing people need to keep in mind, Hunter said, is the number of cats versus the number of dogs they have at the shelter.
“The only thing is, there aren’t a lot of dogs available for fostering. We have a lot of cats, so we need more cat homes than anything,” she said, adding for the few who are taking care of dogs, there can’t be another pet in the home.
Anyone interested in fostering a cat must bare in mind if they have a furry friend of their own as well.
For example, Hunter said if there’s another cat in the residence, they must be vaccinated in order for someone to foster.
Hunter added, “Unless you’re specifically looking at an animal to potentially adopt, we don’t let people pick their animals. We just can’t... They will be assigned close to Christmas if they’re willing to open up their home for a cat.”
This year’s pick-up dates are anytime from Dec. 20 to 23, with drop-offs scheduled Dec. 28 to 30.
“Every year we give the animals a break away from the shelter, the staff have to come in here 365-days per year to look after the animals, so at least if most of them are gone, that means less staff have to come on Christmas day,” noted Hunter.
The LHS also use the opportunity to give the facility a much-needed cleaning.
Whether a family is interested in adopting, or just want to open their home for the holidays, Hunter recommends giving it a shot to anyone who is interested.
“It’s a nice Christmas thing for the people doing it. A lot of people are home at Christmas, and it gives people who were on the fence about getting an animal a taste of whether or not it works for their family,” she expressed.
The shelter supplies all of the necessary items such as food for the pet.
“We’re not expecting people to go out of their way and spend a lot of money or anything to host an animal. We’re giving everything we need for that animal for that time period,” emphasized Hunter.
Hunter added, when it comes to cats, they don’t even need very much space.
“They don’t need to have (a lot of room). (Foster families) just need to have an extra room, to go in and spend some time with the cat… they really aren’t as much work as a dog.”
For more information visit the LHS website, or give the shelter a call at 780-594-1896.
