The Joy of Fostering Homeless Pets

Animal Shelter Volunteers of Texas is a foster based rescue organization. We depend on foster parents to help us improve the quality of lives for animals in our community. ASVT has been active in rescuing homeless and abandoned pets since 2010.

Sometimes we have to ask, who is really getting rescued, the animals or us? Animals’ love is unconditional and they are so eager to constantly demonstrate how much they adore us. As with any love that we are fortunate enough to receive, we must not take it for granted.

WHAT IS A PET FOSTER HOME? 

Being a pet foster parent, you provide a temporary home for a pet on the way to adoption. The number of pets that ASVT can save depends on the number of fosters who open their homes and hearts to foster them.

WHY DO ANIMALS NEED FOSTER CARE? 

Fostering saves two animals lives when shelters are full. The one you foster and the one that can now take the empty kennel left by your foster. Many times homeless pets are found on the streets having been dumped by uncaring humans or simply lost and don’t find their way back home. ASVT can take these pets into our rescue only if we have a foster home for them.

Whatever the reason, these pets need extra love and care before they can be adopted. Providing foster care can be a lifesaving gift for a homeless pet. 

When I was alone… You were there! Someone who cared!

Tina was one of the lucky ones. A good Samaritan found her wandering the streets. After finding no chip she was taken to Animal Hospital of Montgomery to be checked out. It was determined she was a girl in trouble with what looked like four puppies due in about 30 days. ASVT was asked if we could take her in and of course we said yes and off she went to a foster home. Her puppies arrived a few weeks later and the family came into being. Her puppies were born healthy, happy and are now ready for adoption. 

ON THE FENCE ABOUT FOSTERING?

I would rather cry watching a foster pet leave my home to live a full life of happiness and joy in a loving home… than cry because no one stepped up and the animal died alone and frightened and sad in a shelter. 

FOSTERING SAVES LIVES, PLEASE TRY IT!

HOW IS IT DONE? Fosters find their forever homes by ASVT networking on numerous pet finder websites, on our website, Facebook page and adoption events. This gives people looking to adopt a rescue pet a wide venue to look for their dream pet.

If you would like to help the homeless pets of our community and become an ASVT foster, just visit our website and submit a foster application at www.ASVTexas.org

HOW TO SAY GOODBYE

It’s not easy to say goodbye. Giving up a pet you have fostered can be emotional. We all shed our tears of joy. Seeing your foster take their final freedom ride with their new family will help you remember that he or she has found a wonderful new home because of you. 

Foster parents are the unsung heroes of rescue. They offer compassion, love and temporary shelter for pets on their way to a loving permanent home.

Please consider adopting a rescue pet.

SPAY/NEUTER YOUR PETS

Low cost spay/neuter clinics are available in Montgomery County available to residents of all counties. Texas Litter Control has three locations. Visit their website for information.

www.texaslittercontrol.org

ASVT also sponsors a Spay/Neuter Program for community animals whose owners cannot afford to have their pets altered. This helps decrease the rise of community puppies and kittens that will end up in the shelters. 

THE COW CHALLENGE! CAN YOU FIND THE COW?

The Cow Challenge was a fun game to bring awareness to our two bonded pairs of Chihuahuas. Penny and Tiny, aka The Golden Girls and Maya and Sophie, aka The Red Twins. Our winner is Mary Hollar! Mary lives in the Grand Harbor neighborhood and is one of ASVT big fans! The cow in the pictures is the CHAIR! It’s a Cow Chair! Congratulations Mary!

The Golden Girls and The Red Twins are waiting to be adopted and move on to their new homes. For the next 90 days their adoption fee is 2 for 1, $250 for the pair. This fee includes all vaccines, spay and microchip. The sad side of these beautiful girls is that their owners passed away and the families were unable to take them in. If you are interested please submit an Adoption Application on our website www.ASVTexas.org.

KROGER PLUS CARD

Kroger grocery stores will donate a percentage of your purchases to ASVT. Every time you shop, be sure to use your Kroger Plus Card or Alt-ID at checkout. 

Use the link below to sign in or create a Kroger account. When you edit your Kroger Community Rewards information, be sure to enter ASVTs NPO# HJ136. THANK YOU Kroger shoppers!

https://www.kroger.com/communityrewards

HOW CAN YOU HELP US HELP THEM? 

ADOPT, SPONSOR, VOLUNTEER, FOSTER, DONATE! 

• You can visit our website to sign up to volunteer and/or foster and donate using our DONATE button. Donations help us pay for medical expenses, food, supplies and transporting animals to areas with high adoption needs. 

• ASVT also sponsors a Spay/Neuter Program for community animals whose owners cannot afford to have their pets altered. This helps decrease the rise of community puppies and kittens that will end up in the shelters.

• The accomplishments of ASVT would not be possible without partners like Wiesner Automotive, Empire Electric, Ransom’s Steakhouse, Animal Hospital of Montgomery, Bruce and Toni Sellers, Pet Supplies Plus, Dock Line Magazine and so many more.