The numbers are in and the Humboldt SPCA's Christmas fostering program was a resounding success.
"Of the eight dogs we fostered, six were adopted and two are coming back," said Wanda Price, manager and animal care director for the SPCA. "We also fostered 14 cats/kittens. Five have been adopted, and nine are coming back."
The goal of the program is to give both the animals and shelter volunteers a break during the Christmas season. This year, animals spent two weeks (Dec. 21 to Jan. 4) with foster families.
"At that time of year, we are very short on volunteers and it is a good time to give dogs, especially those who have been here a while, a break," said Price. "If they get adopted, we consider that a huge bonus."
Price explained it is the only time of year, adoptable dogs and cats are fostered.
"We do meet and greets at other times of the year, but Christmas time is the only time we foster," she noted.
For people who are on the fence on whether a pet would fit into their home and lifestyle, Price tells them about the Christmas foster program and encourages them to get involved. She indicated it is a good way to determine whether a pet will suit the family.
In the three years of the program, only one person has been a repeat foster parent and this year, that person decided to adopt the foster animal.
First-time foster parents Mason and Laura Walstra got involved when Laura wanted to foster a dog. The Walstra family lives on a farm between LeRoy and Lanigan and had a number of animals already. With Price's help Echo, a Dalmatian/Black Lab cross, who had been at the shelter since Oct. 3 was matched to the family.
"We just love animals," said Mason.
Thursday morning Walstra returned Echo to the shelter.
"On the drive in, I decided I should adopt him and give him to my wife for her birthday," he said. "My plan was to leave him at the shelter until her birthday on the 8th, but when I talked to my wife later in the day she was so upset that he was gone, I decided I couldn't do that to her, so he is going home today as an early birthday present."
Stories like Echo's are the icing on the cake for the SPCA's fostering program.
According to Price, the Christmas fostering program will be a long-term feature at the Humboldt SPCA.
