Post-Pandemic Statistics Support Need for Additional Foster Volunteers

 Springfield, MA (4/13/22) – Dakin Humane Society needs people to volunteer their services as foster caregivers for vulnerable animals that are being brought to the shelter in increasing numbers during the warm weather months. 

Animals in Dakin’s care enter foster homes for a variety of reasons including medical or behavioral issues that are best treated – or resolved - in a home setting.  Pregnant animals usually need to enter foster care to ensure that they are under daily observation and can receive immediate attention if needed.  The one-on-one focus a foster caregiver can offer a pet in a home setting is often exactly what that animal needs to overcome obstacles on their path to adoption.  When the pet has recovered or shown enough improvement to be adopted, they are either returned to Dakin, or stay in the foster home until an adopter comes forward.

Prior to the pandemic, typically 25% of all animals received at Dakin went into foster homes.  In 2020, that number climbed to 30%, and in 2021, it more than doubled to 64%.  One reason for this is the increase in “small” (non-dog and non-cat) animals that come to Dakin each year, including rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, hamsters, mice and rats.  For example, on February 23, 2022, 54 gerbils were surrendered to the organization, and many of them were pregnant females.

“The face of foster is changing,” noted Dakin’s Director of Development and Marketing, Stacey Price.  “There used to be more opportunities to provide foster care for a cat or dog a few years back than there tend to be now, but there is often an anxious dog or an older cat saddened about the change in their environment who needs a loving person or family to take them in for a little while.  And ‘kitten season’ always kicks off in the spring and sometimes runs well into autumn.”

Price continued, “The shift in animal trends is visible at Dakin and in shelters throughout the northeast.  Previously, dog and cat overpopulation was the main problem we were trying to solve.  Now it’s delivering the specialized care needed for the animals brought to Dakin that tend to have medical and/or behavioral issues that require ‘above and beyond’ care.  Some of that we can provide in-house, but in other cases, it’s in the pet’s best interest to spend time in a loving home environment where people can give them the emotional support they need as they face new chapters in their lives.”

Dakin foster volunteers can set time limits on their foster assignments if they wish.  If a foster family has an upcoming vacation or other commitment that takes them out of their home, their foster pet will be placed in another caregiving situation, either on a temporary or permanent basis.

Different animal types will be matched to foster caregivers with the appropriate level of experience.  “Adult cats with behavioral needs would tend to go home with an experienced foster, as would most dogs,” said Price.  “Our team will be sure to match new fosters with pets who are easy to care for, or that they have experience with.  For families with young children, fostering can be a very rewarding experience.  Parents can see how ready their children may be to have a pet of their own, and get to see them respond to an animal that needs their love and compassion.”

Some foster-related tasks include weight-tracking, giving medications via food or syringe, or record-keeping to monitor physical or behavioral changes.

To learn more about becoming a Dakin foster, please visit dakinhumane.org/foster-a-dakin-animal.html and follow the instructions to apply. 

Dakin Humane Society delivers effective, innovative services that improve the lives of animals in need and the people who care about them.  In a typical year, the organization shelters, treats and fosters more than 20,000 animals and has performed over 100,000 spay/neuter surgeries since 2009, making it New England’s largest spay/neuter provider.  Dakin is a local non-profit organization that relies solely on contributions from individuals and businesses that care about animals to bring its services to the community.  For more information, visit www.dakinhumane.org.