If, by chance, you’re planning to bring a furry friend home for Christmas, you may want to try a different approach than buying it — at least at the start.
Bailey Estes, the manager of the Prairie Paws Animal Shelter at 1216 Hatcher, says one step to consider is fostering a pet — essentially foster to adopt.
Fostering kittens, what Prairie Paws lists as its biggest foster need, involves caring for kittens until they are eight weeks old and weigh two pounds. Prairie Paws also says fostering dogs can benefit puppies, nursing mothers and senior dogs.
Estes also says if you aren’t planning to have a new pet for the holidays, or at any other time of year, you should not alter that plan. However, she says this can be a good time for a new addition. People need to keep in mind that kittens and puppies usually don’t get housebroken or potty-trained in a week.
Prairie Paws has been full of animals awaiting adoption or foster care since it took over local shelter operations. Adults dogs are $100 to adopt, while adult cats are $55. Pets are microchipped, fully vaccinated and spayed or neutered before they are ready for adoption.
Foster pet applications through Prairie Paws are online at prairiepaws.org. Other local organizations, including Street Cats Club and Buffy Animal Welfare Group, are also looking for pet foster and/or adoptive homes.
