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June Is National Foster A Pet Month

June 29, 2020
By WeatherBug's Brandon Bush
June represents the halfway point of a year and the start of summer. Usually this time is reserved for vacations, time off from work, summer breaks, and is usually the perfect time for family fun. Given the reduced amount of time most people spend working during the summer, it could be a good idea to bring a new furry friend home for a few weeks.  
 
The Petco Foundation has declared June as National Foster a Pet Month. Fostering a pet involves the short-term housing of a young dog, cat, bird or other homeless animal. Pet fostering with a family allows an animal to live in the home, allowing the pet to be weaned and nurtured in a loving environment. Fostering also allows the pet to become acclimated to home life while providing them with ample physical and emotional support. It also provides a mutual benefit for people who may be unable to keep a pet long term due to time, financial or housing constraints.
 
June is the perfect month for fostering because it is the time of the year when pet shelters become overrun with animals. Many animals go through their mating period in the early summer, and newborns often crowd pet shelters. Additionally, some owners who are unable meet their pet’s demands are often forced to give them to shelters.  
 
If you want to try your hand at fostering a dog, you will want to connect with a reputable rescue group. The ASPCA and Petfinder websites have extensive lists of rescuers and shelters that are looking for new foster parents. In order to foster a dog, some home preparation will be needed. Foster pets usually don’t come with many items besides the shelter crate they’re kept in, so some additional items will be needed. These include but are not limited to:  
 
  • A comfy bed  
  • Food and training treats 
  • Toys 
  • Enzyme cleaners for bathroom accidents 
  • A brush 
  • A baby gate 
 
You’ll also need to prep the house as if you were expecting a toddler to be wandering around. This means keeping toilet lids closed, locking cabinets with hazardous chemicals, keeping drapes and curtains out of reach, vacuuming up small objects and covering up trash cans.  
 
Some dogs have also been put through very stressful situations from past owners and may have a difficult time trusting humans. Therefore, it is important to take extra caution for a dog that may be nervous or defensive. In some cases, the dog may bite if it feels cornered and be very territorial with its food. The essence of every good dog owner, much like a parent to a child, is patience.  
 
June has an extensive amount of pet holidays. In addition to National Foster a Pet Month, there is Adopt a Cat Month, Pet Preparedness Month, Bring your Cat to Work Day (June 17), Bring your Dog to Work Day (June 26), and even Cat World Domination Day (June 24).