WACO, Texas — The Humane Society of Central Texas wants to make sure every shelter animal has a home for the holidays. That's why they've started the Foster Festivus program. "We're hoping that people are gonna wanna come in and be together with a foster pet over the holidays," says Paula Rivedeneira, the Executive Director of the Humane Society of Central Texas.
She says anyone is able to participate in the Foster Festivus program. All you have to do is pick up a foster pet before December 23rd and care for it until January 4th, or longer. Anyone who takes part in the program will get a t-shirt and can even borrow a kennel.
The purpose of fostering is to help animals become more adoptable by living in a home where they can get the attention they need. It also helps the Humane Society learn more about them so that they can place them in the right "forever home." Rivadeneira says, "Animals don't do well at the shelter, so we get to see their true personality in a home. So when they go to a foster home, that foster can tell us everything about that animal and it makes them more adoptable so that we can really find them a home later on."
There are nearly 100 animals in the Humane Society of Central Texas, and Rivadeneira says adoptions have been low in December. If you're interested in being part of the Foster Festivus program, the Humane Society is open from 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Due to a surge in Covid-19 cases, all visitors, including children under 10 years old, must wear masks. The staff also asks that you maintain 6 feet of social distancing at all times.
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