Humane Society seeks foster homes for dogs and cats

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Updated: July 11, 2011 12:18AM

The Hinsdale Humane Society is desperately seeking volunteers to join its Foster Care Program.

With about half of the usual foster families unable to take care of additional pets in their homes, the need for more foster volunteers is great, said Pam Salomone, public relations/special events director for the society.

“Foster families help save the lives of many animals,” Salomone said. “It’s usually puppies or kittens that we are looking to foster. Sometimes, there are special cases for dogs and cats that have had a surgical procedure or maybe have been in the shelter for a long time and will benefit greatly from having some of the socialization and love they’ll get in someone’s home.”

The humane society’s foster care program matches volunteers with homeless pets in need of additional care and attention. Foster care volunteers provide temporary in-home care for kittens, puppies, dogs and cats until they are ready for adoption.

Patti Poisson of Hinsdale has been fostering kittens and cats for eight years.

“I was a member of the humane society 25 years ago and wanted to do something more hands on,” she said. “I thought it would be a great experience for my three children and as a whole family experience.”

Poisson said she certainly has found that to be the case.

“It’s wonderful,” she said. “About half of the cats we’ve had have been pregnant moms. We usually have had the moms for about a month, and we keep the kittens for about eight weeks.”

Poisson said the cats and kittens she and her family have fostered have benefited by the process.

“It helps them with the socialization of people and the noises of a home,” she said. “I think that anyone who loves animals would love to do this.”

The most difficult part of fostering kittens and cats for Poisson and her family is saying goodbye when the fostering period has been completed.

“It is hard to let go,” she said. “It’s horrible, but I know the shelter does such a good job finding good homes for them, so it’s OK.”

Poisson said she continues to receive Christmas cards each year from the family that adopted two of the cats Poisson and her family fostered. The cards include photos of the cats.

Connie Nelson of Hinsdale began fostering dogs and cats about two years ago.

“I’m retired, my kids are grown and I have a big house,” she said. “I thought it would be nice to have some puppies and kittens running around.”

Nelson said she actually has a helper with her fostering projects, her 7-pound Chihuahua, Parker.

“He lets the kittens rub up against him,” Nelson said. “The whole experience of fostering these puppies and kittens has been very fulfilling because you’re helping them to get off to a good start. And for the older animals, it helps get them a second chance to be adopted.”

Hinsdale Humane Society provides all the necessary food, equipment, training and support to become a volunteer in the foster care program.

Volunteers are required to complete the humane society’s orientation and training process.

For more information on fostering, call the Hinsdale Humane Society, (630) 323-5630 or visit the organization’s website at www.hinsdalehumanesociety.org.