How the Long Beach community can take in animals to 'Foster the 4th'
Melanie Wagner with Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) told KNX that 101 dogs entered the shelter during the first two weeks of June alone.
That’s one of the reasons why the community is invited to take part in the “Foster the 4th” initiative.
This program is aimed at providing safe homes to shelter animals during the July 4 holiday period. Every year, the shelter experiences a surge of incoming lost pets who run away from home due to fireworks. Bright lights and flashing noises from the fireworks can frighten animals.
With this influx of animals, resources at the shelter become strained.
“I encourage all residents to consider temporarily fostering a shelter animal during the busy Independence Day season,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. “Fostering allows Long Beach Animal Care Services to provide more spaces for animals displaced due to the effects of illegal fireworks and to get them reunited with their families.”
This year, the ‘Foster the 4th” program begins Sunday, June 23, when there will be a special adoption and fostering event from 4 to 6 p.m. at 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, Calif. More fostering opportunities will take place at that location from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 25 and July 2. People can email PetFoster@longbeach.gov to schedule an appointment.
Here are the requirements to become a short-term foster household:
· Submit a Foster Application online.
· Commit to fostering a pet for a minimum of 30 days or longer.
· Keep the foster pet separate from personal pets. This prevents diseases and ensures all pets are safe.
· Provide regular communication with the Foster Coordinator and/or LBACS staff with updates and pictures.
“Selected fosters will be provided veterinary care, all food and supplies (bowls, bed, litter pans, crate, etc.), and foster guides and resources to help acclimate their foster pet to their new home,” said the shelter. Foster homes should also take care to protect their animals from loud noises during the July 4 season by keeping them indoors and softening noise by having the radio or TV turned on.
