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OUR FOSTER PROGRAM
THANK YOU for your interest in becoming a foster
for Anderson Animal Shelter!
In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, our Volunteer Program
has been suspended until further notice.
Please keep in touch, as we will communicate updates on future opportunities as they become available. We can’t wait to meet you!
We're lucky. Our community does not have a dog or puppy overpopulation problem. Throughout most of the southern part of the United States however, dogs and puppies are overwhelming the capacity of local shelters. In these areas, the rates of spay/neuter are so low that thousands of unwanted puppies are born each year. Most of them end up in animal shelters, with very little hope of adoption...unless they can be transported to a shelter with a higher adoption rate, like Anderson Animal Shelter.
Anderson partners with several animal welfare groups in areas where homeless pets far outnumber adopters. With very few resources, these shelters are overwhelmed and need our help. Without us, these wonderful, highly adoptable animals would have no chance at all. Volunteers make the journey to our partner organizations approximately once a month and save the lives of thousands of dogs and puppies each year.
Anderson Animal Shelter is seeking temporary
foster homes for our “Diamonds in the Ruff”
Behavior issues are the number one reason why dogs are surrendered to shelters. Dogs returned for behavior problems also tend to spend extended lengths of time at the shelter because they are more difficult to adopt out. These extended stays often exacerbate behavior problems, creating an ever downward spiral. Anderson is invested in addressing the training and behavioral needs of these dogs but it’s often not possible to assess or train them properly in a shelter environment.
That’s where you can help. Our Behavior Team is seeking behavioral foster families to help us polish up these diamonds in the rough and bring out their shining best. A commitment of 7 days is needed. You will be matched with a dog that suits your lifestyle and you will receive training on animal behavior and dog training. In addition, a management and training plan will be provided, along with guidance from the behavior team. Some of the more common behavior issues are fearfulness; mild resource guarding; leash reactivity; mouthing issues; separation anxiety, and more. If you can open your heart and home to one of these special dogs please contact our Behavior Manager at (847) 697-2880, ext. 50.
DOGS AND PUPPIES
We need foster homes to provide care for puppies and adult dogs transported to Anderson from our partner groups. They range in age from newborn pups who usually (but not always) have their mom with them, to weaned pups and adults who just need to stay in their foster home for 2 weeks so we can make sure they're healthy. Anderson staff will vaccinate, de-worm and provide flea/tick treatments. Once they're old enough, our veterinarian will spay or neuter them, and then they'll be ready to come back to the shelter for adoption. The more foster homes we have, the more lives we can save!
CATS AND
KITTENS
We are always in need of fosters for adult cats and/or kittens. Each spring, summer and fall, the shelter is inundated with kittens! We call this "kitten season" and we need foster homes to care for these tiny feline babies until they are ready for adoption, usually for a period about 2 weeks. During "kitten season", we may receive more than a litter of kittens each day - we need lots of fosters! As with all of our fosters, Anderson will provide all the veterinary care, food and as many of the supplies as we have available. You provide the love!