BEAUMONT, Texas — Dozens of dogs and cats at Beaumont Animal Care are hoping to spend the holidays with a loving family.
Friday was day one of Beaumont Animal Care's 'Holiday Heroes Foster Program'. This program is an opportunity to get shelter animals out of their kennels and into a temporary home for the holidays.
It allows the animals to spend a few days, or maybe even a few weeks, with a loving family.
This is a chance for these animals to be given the gift of comfort, joy, and companionship for the holidays.
"During the Christmas season is whenever we see the most people really giving and trying to find ways to help their community. One of the best ways to help would be to foster a cat or a dog that's in the shelter," said Beaumont Animal Care's Adoption, Foster and Marketing Coordinator Viviana Lopez.
There are plenty animals at the shelter that need to find a loving home.
"As of this morning there were 96 animals in the shelter total. 89 of those were dogs," Lopez said.
Anyone who is interested in finding a furry friend for the holidays can easily apply. No appointments are necessary.
"Our kennel attendants will walk you through, see if you're interested in a cat or a dog. Whoever you're interested in we'll get your paperwork done... it takes probably less than fifteen or twenty minutes," Lopez said.
Beaumont Animal Care has no foster fees and they'll even give you any supplies your new friend may need.
"If somebody doesn't have a crate and we have one for that size dog we will give it, as necessary," said Lopez.
She says fostering the animals helps the shelter learn more about the animals personalities.
"At least we would know a little bit more about those group of animals, compared to if we never had any fosters, we wouldn't have had any extra information on them," Lopez said.
Fostering also opens up kennel space.
"We have anywhere from five to 25 animals come in a day," said Lopez.
Fostering these animals is one big step toward finally clearing the shelters, according to Lopez.
"I love receiving the updates from the families once the animals are in their home. You can see them cuddled up in a bed or on a couch. Which is so different than being in one of their kennels. That's definitely one of the best things," she said.
If you foster an animal that you like you also have the option to adopt it. You can check out their website for more information.