Thompson River Animal Care Shelter (TRACS) is looking for people who are interested in fostering a dog or cat, including certain puppies or kittens. "Primarily this would be health reasons for the very young and emotional and physical reasons for the older animals," said Lynette Thorpe, TRACS Adoption manager and foster program coordinator. This could include special needs animals, such as a dog with a missing leg, Thorpe said. It could also include pregnant dogs or cats, those with puppies or kittens or just puppies or kittens. Thorpe said they may need to find foster homes for very young animals to keep them germ free.

Foster care is set up to provide a temporary, safe environment where a pet can receive the love, kindness and attention it needs. This will give them a good start to their lives. Thorpe said that many pets are traumatized by living in a shelter. Older and bigger dogs tend to be there longer than small dogs and puppies. Fostering is a big commitment especially if it involves a mother with her litter.

Dogs require fostering until the puppies are eight weeks old, or until they are ready to go to the shelter. Cats require fostering until eight to 10 weeks if possible, or until ready for the shelter. Care for the animals is listed and includes love, respect beyond basic needs such as exercise, food and shelter. TRACS provides, as needed, food, a bowl and bedding. They will provide a pen for puppies and a condo for cats. Litter box and litter will also be provided. Vaccinations and deworming if necessary is provided by staff in the foster home, Unless they require a vet visit.

"Fostering or adoption can be done on a trial basis to see if the pet is a good fit in the home. If a dog or cat is having anxiety issues at the shelter, ideally a home environment would help them overcome this problem with lots of love and attention. Sometimes this is not the case. The family may not be the right fit. But, if all is going well, people who foster a pet have the first option for adoption," Thorpe said.

TRACS is also looking for short term fostering that could include taking a pet for the day to a park or just spending quality time with them. Or it could mean taking a pet for a one or two night's sleep over. This will help the animal become more socially adapted. "Long term stays at the shelter can become detrimental to their emotional health," Thorpe added.

Thorpe said they are looking for community involvement and help. The secondary part of this program would be having volunteers come out to the shelter and spend time with the animals. "Anyone wanting to help can walk dogs, help feed, or anything else needed for their care. Attention is the main thing.

"I am looking forward to seeing the responses we get on our new foster care program and speaking to the community. It's all about the animals and helping them live their best lives," Thorpe said.

TRACS shelters many local animals and finds them homes after spaying, neutering, vaccinating and installing microchips for locating. They also bring in out-of-state dogs and puppies from overcrowded shelters to earn income for TRACS and save animals from kill shelters. "We are not Animal Control. We do not remove animals from homes unless the owners ask us to," Thorpe said. There is an intake fee. Sometimes people do not want to pay to have all their dogs/puppies brought to the shelter and pay that fee. They may send a few and plan to keep or find homes for the others themselves, Thorpe concluded.

The shelter has five board members and five paid employees that include two general managers, Dale Smith and Kendra Torti. Thorpe said the shelter is working on other ideas to raise funds and support from the community. For more information regarding foster or adoptions go to [email protected] or call (406) 827-8722