Fairfax County Animal Shelter Seeks 'Foster Parents'

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is looking for volunteer "foster parents" to help prepare animals to adjust to their forever home.

Tracy Petty, a longtime volunteer with the Fairfax Animal Shelter, recently decided to foster a dog with temporary medical needs.

“We have one dog in our family and we know that he loves being around other dogs. My husband and I are not ready to add another permanent family member and fostering is a perfect solution for us. We know we are helping an animal that is truly in need and has a bright future ahead.”

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter accepts any companion animal that comes through its doors, regardless of age, health or temperament, according to a statement released by the shelter. Some of these animals are not quite ready for adoption when they enter the shelter. They may require the loving care of a foster family to prepare them for their forever home. As the shelter enters spring, its busiest season, foster parents are needed to help nurse animals back to health and provide socialization for timid or scared animals.

Kathleen Cornell, Foster Care coordinator, is focused on expanding the shelter foster program.

“Historically, the foster program has focused on finding foster homes for kittens and puppies until they are old enough to be adopted," she said. "We are now expanding the program to find more homes where adult dogs and cats, as well as rabbits and other small animals can benefit from a home environment,” Cornell said in a statement.

The shelter is recruiting potential foster parents for adult dogs with special medical needs, puppies and orphaned kittens as well as fosters for dogs and cats that need extra attention and socialization prior to being placed for adoption.

“The shelter provides all of the medical care, food and supplies for foster animals,” says Kristen Auerbach, Community Outreach Program manager. “As a foster parent, you provide a safe and nurturing place for an animal that needs extra TLC. Our foster parents save lives by the selfless act of opening their hearts and homes.”

A special foster information session will be held Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. at the shelter at 4500 West Ox Road. To RSVP, email Kathleen.cornell@fairfaxcounty.gov if you are interested in attending this session. If you are unable to attend this session, but are still interested in fostering, please fill out a foster application by visiting the foster care page at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/animal/foster.htm.