Second Chance Begins Matching Dogs with Foster Families for the Summer
EAST BROOKFIELD — Second Chance Animal Services’ all-new Summer Vacation Foster Program is getting underway, with the first foster dog already settling into his summer home, and additional matches currently in progress.
Zeus recently became the first dog to head home through the program, which gives shelter dogs a short-term break from shelter life while helping staff learn more about them in a home environment. More applicants are currently being considered for potential matches, including two who are scheduled to come in for meet-and-greets in the coming days. Other interested fosters are hoping to participate later in the summer.
The program, which launched this month, asks community members to open their homes to shelter dogs for two to eight weeks. Foster families help dogs decompress, receive one-on-one attention, and practice everyday home routines that can improve their chances of adoption.
“We’re excited to start making matches and hope to hear from more people interested in fostering this summer,” said Wendy Hall, Second Chance’s animal relocation director. “Our goal is to make as many successful matches as possible while making sure each dog is placed in the right home for their individual needs. Right now, our biggest needs are homes without other pets, homes without children under 16, and fosters willing to help dogs work on basic manners training like housetraining, leash walking, jumping, or mouthy play behavior. We encourage anyone interested in fostering to apply.”
Second Chance provides support throughout the fostering experience and works to match each dog with the right home and lifestyle. Foster families must live within 30 minutes of one of Second Chance’s veterinary hospitals, located in Southbridge, North Brookfield, Worcester, and Springfield.
The Summer Vacation Foster Program is in addition to Second Chance’s ongoing foster program, which supports pets who are not yet ready for adoption for a variety of reasons, including ongoing medical care, recovery needs, pregnant and nursing mothers with their litters, and young puppies and kittens needing extra care and socialization.
Animal lovers interested in fostering this summer or learning more about Second Chance’s foster programs are encouraged to click here and complete an application.