If you've ever wanted to foster or rescue, right now Hamilton Animal Services is in desperate need.
Hi Hamilton! Summer is a really slow month in general for fostering/adoption, and the wildfires up north means rescues sent all hands on deck up to help. As a result, animals are sitting in our municipal shelter for too long because rescues aren't pulling them for foster or adoption opportunities. I picked up my foster dog, Lilah, yesterday to free up a kennel at HAS and to keep her from being at risk of euthanasia.
Municipal shelters cannot turn away stray animals. Other rescues and shelters can pick and choose who they accept, but HAS is required to accept and hold animals for a period of time. If they cannot find a foster, adopter, or another rescue to take the animal, and there's no space, animals are at risk.
I never knew that HAS allows for short-term fostering, and you can agree to as little time as you want. Even just a week can really help some of these animals, and can get them out of the stressful shelter. It is loud and crowded right now, and most of them are incredibly stressed or shut down in that environment. The process was really easy, and they provide all the dog's food, medication, and even gave me a crate for Lilah.
Right now they have a high volume of applications to foster these dogs, but loads more will be coming through. Mostly, they really need forever families for these sweet souls. If you've ever considering rescuing a dog, or have the space in your home to foster this summer, I know that HAS (and the dogs) would really appreciate it.
And if anyone is in the market for a Literal Angel, feel free to ask me questions about sweet Lilah!
EDIT: Providing the link to HAS's page on the process to adopt and/or foster our city's shelter animals.
UPDATE: HAS is absolutely FULL of foster apps right now! Great job, everyone. If you’re still looking to get involved, I have copy/pasted this comment from down below about other rescues and shelters that need support:
GTA Dog Rescues For Fosters (longer-term commitments):
-New Collar Co
-Save Our Scruff
-Bark at the Moon
-Tango’s Lead Rescue
-Canine Haven
-Ladybird Animal Sanctuary
-TysonnFriends
-Matties Place
-Team Dog Rescue
GTA Cat Rescues For Fosters:
-Ladybird Animal Sanctuary
-Salty Animal Rescue
GTA Rabbits / Small Animals:
-Pumpkin Acres Rescue
-Rabbit Rescue Inc
-Ladybird Animal Sanctuary
…. Or check if your closest shelter has a foster program. Ie Toronto Animal Services, Mississauga Animal Services, Etobicoke Humane, Guelph Humane, SPCAs, Hamilton Animal Services, HSG Niagara etc. These are better for shorter term foster situations (1-4 weeks).