Spring is finally here and while some folks may be marking the season with rituals like spring cleaning, gardening and heading south to escape the mud, here at Second Chance our ritual is to get ready for kittens and puppies.

In particular, we look to expand our foster-care base so that we can provide an alternative to nursing mothers with kittens and puppies that are too young to thrive in a shelter environment.

In addition to pups and kittens, other homeless pets arrive at the shelter with varying needs that may require that they be placed in foster care. Examples are pets with illnesses or injuries that require special care or a special diet, or pets with behavioral issues that are best transformed in a consistent and stable home environment.

Additionally, a pet may be placed in foster care simply because the Second Chance shelter, which is a no-kill shelter, is short on space. In this instance a pet will be placed in foster care until space is created through the adoption of another shelter pet.

Many of our current foster homes are provided by pet lovers who are unable to make a lifetime commitment to a new pet, but who have space and time available on a temporary basis. Some foster parents use fostering as an opportunity to discover how a new pet will fit into their lives before making the commitment of pet ownership. Others simply want to give to a pet in need by working with the animal to deal with some issues that may be obstacles to adoption, like a lack of confidence or trust of people. Thus, some foster homes act as havens for rehabilitation.

Many may not realize that Second Chance operated strictly as a foster-care program for the first 10 years of existence before it opened its shelter in 2004. We have learned that being a foster-care provider is both challenging and extremely rewarding. All of our foster parents report that the challenge of bringing a new pet home and working through the adjustment period is worth the reward of witnessing a transformed pet get adopted into a loving forever home. 

To learn more about the various opportunities available within our foster program you can contact our shelter manager, Allison, at 626-2273. Your initial conversation will focus on which foster-pet situation would work best for your home environment and interests.

By the way, my name is Taz. I am one of the lucky homeless pets currently benefiting from a foster home. I have flourished in this wonderful environment and am now very ready for a forever home. I am a Golden Retriever-Red Heeler mix of about 3 years of age. I love people, dogs and cats. I am fully housebroken and respond to basic commands. I stick close to home and respond when called. I enjoy retrieving toys and sticks and will drop them at your feet with a happy, smiley face. I also like being brushed. I walk well on a leash and am not possessive over my toys or food.

Wow, I am pretty great. My only challenge is learning to be comfortable riding in a car — which I am simply not familiar with.

As for you, reader, I encourage you to strongly consider being a foster “parent” — the more foster homes that exist in our region, the more homeless pets will get their second chance. Besides, foster pets can be a great help in the spring garden.

Call the Second Chance Helpline at 626-2273 to report a lost pet or learn about SCHS Spay/Neuter Vouchers, volunteering and foster care and other programs. Visit www.secondchancehumanesociety.org to see our adoptable pets. Responses to Pet Columns can be sent to kelly@secondchancehumanesociety.org.