Local families needed to open their homes to foster displaced pets

By Lisa Norwood, Public Information Officer for Animal Care Services

Hurricane Ike may be a memory for most area residents, but for those displaced by the storm every day is a struggle-especially when they are separated from their family pet. To date, City of San Antonio Animal Care Services (ACS) is still caring for more than 70 animals whose owners were displaced by Ike. The shelter’s primary goal is the happy reunion of each evacuated pet with his or her owner as soon as circumstances permit. That’s why ACS is looking for local families willing to open their hearts to evacuated pets by providing them with a temporary haven.

“It certainly would lessen their worry about their beloved pets” says ACS Director Jef Hale.” Although we are providing the best possible care for these displaced animals, a shelter is not a home and should not be for any pet. Many of these dogs and cats have been with us for more than a month and that’s a tough situation for any animal. We’re hopeful the community will find it in their hearts to open their homes for these pets in need.”

All arrangements would be a private agreement between the potential foster family and the animal’s owner. ACS would, however, provide a supply of pet food if needed.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

• Residents interested in fostering Hurricane Ike pet orphans can call ACS at 210-207-6669 to speak with the Shelter Manager. Owners who can not reclaim their pets can relinquish them to Animal Care Services and they will be worked into the shelter’s adoption program or transferred to a partner agency or rescue group.

For more information:

• For more information on fostering shelter animals, citizens can call the ACS Foster Coordinator, Heather Guthrie at 210-315-9336.

City of San Antonio Animal Care Services (ACS)
4710 State Highway 151
San Antonio, Texas 78227
Phone: 210-207-4PET

Posted by Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends staff
Photo credit: photo taken by Jennifer Hayes.