Sacramento Martial Arts and Karate

The Foster-A-Pet Project

My name is Annabella Sobrato, and for my green belt project I created the Foster-A-Pet Project, because I wanted to help homeless animals and also because I want more people to be foster families for homeless pets.

What is the Foster-A-Pet Project?

For my green belt project, my family and I fostered a dog for the Sacramento County Shelter. I helped the dog by training him, feeding him, walking him, playing with him, exposing him to new things, and giving him a bath.

What is pet fostering?

Fostering a pet is when you take care of an animal and give it a break from the shelter for a few weeks or even a few months. Animal shelters don’t have space for all the animals that come into the shelter. Foster homes give more animals a chance to survive and find new homes.

Why do pets need foster care?

Some animals might need a break because they are injured or sick, or they could be too young to survive in an animal shelter. Also, they could be stressed out from the shelter, or they could need to be socialized before they can be adopted. Some dogs need to be rehabilitated, by giving them training and affection, so they can be adoptable.

What kinds of things do foster families do for pets?

They take care of the pet, train him, feed him, and socialize him. Some animals might need more or less care than others. Puppies and kittens need to be hand-fed, cleaned up after, and given a safe place to live. Bigger dogs need to be exercised and socialized, in addition to feeding and all the normal care.

Where can people learn more about fostering or sign up to foster an animal?

These are some local animal shelters who always need foster care families. Follow the links for instructions on how to sign up for fostering:

Sacramento County Animal Shelter

http://www.animalcare.saccounty.net/HelptheAnimals/Pages/Fostering....

Sacramento Front Street Animal Shelter

http://www.cityofsacramento.org/generalservices/animal-care/volunteer/

Sacramento SPCA

http://www.sspca.org/program-services/volunteer-program/foster/