Public now allowed to be ‘fosters’

The San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter’s foster program is still in its early stages, but the shelter hopes to have resources in place to expand it and find foster homes for some of the special animals who come into the shelter.

Kara Montiel, animal services manager for the shelter, told the shelter’s advisory committee at its meeting Tuesday that the foster program helps with animals who “just do not thrive in a shelter environment,” like older animals.

Montiel said the focus of the program is to save animals that would otherwise face death. The program started in January 2017, she said, and was rolled out in phases. First, shelter staff were able to foster animals; next, city staff were included as fosters, then long-term shelter volunteers. Now, Montiel said, members of the public can provide foster homes for animals. There are currently 38 foster homes available, Montiel said, and 15 animals are in foster care. 

“We’re hoping to allocate more resources to soliciting fosters,” Montiel told the committee.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has a list of recommended measures for foster programs, Montiel said: medical supplies, training, funding, structure and mentoring. She said that training and support, including staff and a program coordinator, would facilitate the growth of the foster program.

“There are a lot of people who’ve never done it before, but they want to.”

Residents interested in becoming a pet foster can visit the city's website or call the shelter at 512-805-2657 for more information on how to get involved.