We Need Some Part-Time, Temporary Moms and Dads

When it hits, it hits hard. We’re talking about kitten and puppy season at your Rancho Coastal Humane Society.

It’s not so much of a season any more for puppies. We have them year round. Kitten season seems to be longer than it used to be. It kicks into high gear in the spring and runs into late fall.

This would all be fine and dandy if they all came in with their mommies, healthy and happy. But that’s not always how it works. This is where we need you.

• Sometimes the mother cats and dogs arrive and they’re able to take care of their babies right here at the shelter.
• Sometimes the babies are too young to stay here, so they go with their mothers into private foster care with RCHS volunteers.
• Once in a while we have a struggling mother who needs some help, so some or all of her babies go into foster care while the mommy is on the mend.

You get the picture. There are lots of reasons why we need volunteers who can take these special pets into their homes.

The need is even greater during the Spring and Summer when there are lots of kittens and puppies. The average length of stay in foster care is 4 to 6 weeks. Training is required. It’s one of the most rewarding experiences we can give you.

You can also turn it into a family project through our Teen Foster Program. It gives teenagers (15 and older) an opportunity to work hands-on with homeless animals while they earn service hours for their schools or other organizations. Training and parent approval are required.

If you have room in your home and your heart to become a volunteer foster care provider, let us know. For more information call 760-753-6413, visit Rancho Coastal Humane Society at 389 Requeza Street in Encinitas, or log on to www.sdpets.org