The Animal Rescue League of Berks County is in immediate need of foster families to help with the increasing number of animals that have arrived at the shelter during the past season.
The ARL is calling upon foster caregivers to provide a temporary home for displaced animals. A home setting — as opposed to a cage — helps these animals feel relaxed, safe and loved during their shelter experience. Currently, the ARL has 188 kittens, 21 cats, 18 dogs, and 15 puppies in foster homes. However, 258 animals at the shelter are still waiting for homes.
“Fostering is the most important program at the ARL since it helps us expand our capacity beyond our walls to keep helping animals,” said Alexis Pagoulatos, ARL’s CEO. “Because of our foster caregivers, we are also able to provide individualized care and love to the population of animals that need it the most. These volunteers truly make our lifesaving work possible.”
To be a foster, volunteers should be 18 years old or older and be available to bring the animal to their scheduled vaccinations and medical appointments at the shelter. The ARL provides training, supplies, and medical care so fosters only need to provide a safe, clean, and caring environment for any length of time they are available to help.
“There is a need to find fosters for all types of animals, so we can free space in the shelter to continue helping incoming animals,” said Paige Seitz, ARL’s Foster Supervisor. “Bottle baby kittens especially benefit from foster homes since these kittens can’t be kept at the shelter due to their susceptibility to illness and their need for more hands-on care. A foster home provides them the safety and comfort they need to grow and develop into lifelong companions.”
For more information or to enroll in the program, fosters can visit www.berksarl.org/foster or call the shelter at 610-373-8830 ext. 320.
