Fostering means providing love and care to a shelter animal and having them in your home for a predetermined amount of time (usually around 2-8 weeks). Paws and Claws currently has partnerships with BACS, East Bay SPCA, and House Rabbit Society to provide students opportunities to foster a variety of animals.

So why should you foster a shelter animal? 

1. You increase that animal’s chance of being adopted. 

As wonderful as animal shelters are, they can be stressful due to noise and lack of exercise. Animals in foster care tend to be less stressed and better socialized. They also have a lower chance of getting sick than animals in shelters. 

2. You help the shelter learn about the animal’s personality. 

It’s hard to know much about an animal when they are living in a shelter environment crowded with many other animals. Placing animals in foster homes helps shelters learn if the pet likes children, begs at the table, has a lot of energy, or plays nice with others. Learning about a future pet’s behavior or personality makes it easier to match the animal to a forever home.

3. It’s a good way to see if you are ready for having pet. 

You may be considering to have a pet during your time at Berkeley or after graduation, but It’s not always clear whether owning a pet is right for you. With fostering, not only do you have a chance to learn about the animal, but you also can see whether or not having a pet is suited for your lifestyle. Who knows? Maybe providing temporary care is more of a fit for you.

4. You are saving an animal’s life.

Many shelters are full to their limits and cannot take in more animals until additional foster homes open up. By fostering, you are helping another homeless animal on its track to finding a loving home. You will feel good, your foster pet will be happy, and the shelter helps more animals. Talk about win-win-win!

5. It’s FREE!

All the necessary materials will be provided by the organization, such as food, toys, bowls, etc. All you need to do is give the pet the love and care that it needs.