Are you someone who has a love for animals and the passion to keep them healthy, happy and off the streets? Berks County animal shelters offer fostering programs where suitable individuals or families can care for an animal until they find a permanent home. This includes rescuing animals that are neglected, those living in an unsafe environment or those in a kill shelter usually suffering from a serious health condition. Fostering animals has become increasingly popular within the Berks region and continues to grow in popularity. If you’re interested in fostering a furry friend, read on to see what local programs may be looking for you!
Zoe’s House, Inc.:
Lakin Harmon who started her non-profit fostering program after she lost her Doberman, Zoe, founded Zoe’s House. After witnessing how she helped Zoe, Lakin wanted to extend this opportunity to the community. “Berks County had a real need here,” she says. “As long as it’s a life, we’ll save it.” Zoe’s house is a non-profit animal welfare group based out of Sinking Spring. They rescue strong breeds such as Dobermans, Rottweilers, German Shepherds and Pit bulls. Lakin, her board of directors and volunteers can agree that once you are apart of Zoe’s House, you’re part of a family. The process to foster animals at Zoe’s is as follows:
1. Request for intake.2. Pick-up or transport dog to potential foster parent.3. Provide immediate veterinarian care (paid by Zoe’s).4. Remains in foster home for undefined time (time span differs).
Animal Rescue League, Grey Muzzle Program:
In 2009, Marcy Tocker created the Grey Muzzle fostering program at the ARL. Marcy has always loved animals and decided to coordinate this program after the loss of a Chihuahua she rescued. She wanted to provide the community with a program that allowed suitable foster parents to help the animals. “It becomes an interesting dynamic to watch other people love these dogs as much as I do,” she says. Since starting the program, they have had 400-500 permanent adoptions and fostering volunteers continue to grow. Many of the animals that are fostered suffer from epilepsy, dental disease, thyroid disorders, diabetes, heart and behavioral issues and other disorders. Since these issues are serious, Marcy wants to makes sure the right person fosters the animal. “We have not only found good homes, but fantastic homes,” she says. The process to foster animals at the ARL is as follows:
1. Request an application and apply (online).2. ARL conducts at-home visit of potential foster parent.3. Checks previous veterinarian references.4. ARL pays for veterinarian costs during fostering time span.5. Remains in foster home for undefined time (average time span 2-6 weeks).
One by One Cat Rescue:
For 19 years, One by One Cat Rescue (1by1) has provided Reading, Lancaster, Lehigh Valley, Lebanon and Montgomery counties with cat fostering programs. 1by1 is a non-profit animal welfare group and has more than 100 volunteers. Volunteers can be found at the Wyomissing and Temple PetSmarts, and Exeter PetCo. Vice president Kathy Walker has been involved with the organization since 1999. Like the volunteers, Kathy bounces back from one animal store to another to feed, care and love the cats and to find potential foster parents. “My commitment is when they are here, they are adopted or fostered,” she says. “We don’t like to warehouse the cats because we want to keep them healthy.” Kathy’s responsibilities include overseeing the volunteers at the stores and keeping in touch with foster parents. Within 1by1, there are 15 full-time foster moms. “Everyone is very respectful and supportive of one another,” Kathy explains. There are approximately 100 cats awaiting a loving family or friend to foster them. Many of the cats include domestic short, medium and long hairs and some cats suffer from neglect, behavioral issues or upper respiratory medical conditions. The process to foster cats is as follows:
1. Apply at stores or online.2. Background check.3. Provide foster parents with information and expectations.4. Foster parents responsibilities include food, litter box and love.5. 1by1 pays for veterinarian costs.6. Remain in foster home for undefined time.
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To learn how to become a foster parent and for contact information:
Zoe’s House, Inc. Lakin Harmon | P.O. Box 2372 | Reading, Pa 19608 | zoeshouserescue.com | E-mail: zoeshouserescue@yahoo.com
Animal Rescue League | Marcy Tocker | 58 Kennel Rd | Birdsboro, Pa 19508 | Phone: 610.373.8830 | berksarl.org (Grey Muzzle program) | E-mail: mtocker@berksarl.org
One by One Cat Rescue | Kathy Walker | P.O. Box 272 | Temple, Pa 19560 | Phone: 484.839.2019 | 1by1catrescue.org
