Thinking about adding a furry companion to your family? Look no further! The Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) is currently seeking foster homes for the animals in their care while undergoing renovations. This is a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these animals.

Why Foster with the AWLA?

During the construction, the AWLA is renovating sections of their building to provide better habitats for the animals. This includes making areas less stressful and adding wildlife aspects. However, the noise and chemicals from the construction can add to the animals' stress. By fostering, you can help reduce this stress and give the animals a more comfortable environment.Foster homes also provide valuable insights into how the animals behave in a family environment. As Charnita Fox, the Director of Operations, explains, "Foster is great for getting information that we can't get in a shelter. What happens in a home is not gonna duplicate in a shelter. So a lot of people wanna know how they do in a home." This information can help potential adopters make more informed decisions about which animal is right for them.The AWLA covers all costs associated with fostering, including supplies, medical bills, and behavioral support. As Fox says, "We provide all supplies, we take care of medical bills, we take care of behavioral support while you're in that vet support. The benefit is you're getting unconditional love from an animal that isn't yours, but you don't have to worry about any of the cost of it. We're just asking you to give them love, give us feedback and just make sure they're in a cozy home."

Fostering for Adoption

Fostering is a great opportunity for those interested in adopting a pet. As Fox notes, "This is a perfect time to figure out what type of dog you want to adopt or whether fostering is right for you. Fostering gives you a realistic chance to see how an animal fits into your lifestyle before making a long-term commitment."For families considering adoption but not ready to commit 100%, fostering is especially helpful. As Fox adds, "If you're not ready to adopt, this is a perfect time to figure out. Do I wanna adopt? What type of dog would I wanna adopt? Cat? Rabbit, hamster, whatever it may be. We've had people come in and want a dog and they've left out with a rabbit. Sometimes people don't understand what the certain species need so, having a chance to foster gives you a realistic chance before you commit to an animal."If you do decide to commit to the animal you foster, there are options. As Fox explains, "Ideally we want people to hold on to them until Jan. 12 or return Jan. 13. We do understand that is a long stretch of time. So we are offering places where people can maybe foster with another family or you can do a short stint. Let us know what it is."

How to Get Involved

If you're interested in fostering or adopting, the AWLA makes it easy. You can stop by the Arlington facility or click here for more information. The AWLA is dedicated to finding homes for all of its animals until construction is complete in mid-January. Don't miss this chance to make a positive impact on the lives of these furry friends.