Since the pet foster program in Chilton County first started about four years ago, hundreds of animals have been rescued and sent to forever homes through rescue organizations across the United States.

Fostering animals helps keep open spaces in the shelter, and animals have the option of living in a temporary home before being transported to a permanent home.

“Most of the time, you can fall in love with an animal you are fostering within about three seconds,” Chilton County foster volunteer Mel Stroud said. “Seeing the faces of the animals who have gone through so much already and are putting their trust in you to take care of them for a short time is priceless.”

Stroud started fostering animals from the Chilton County Humane Society in 2014 due to a desire to help more animals find forever homes, and has since fostered about 14 dogs.

“I had never fostered before, but I thought it would help,” Stroud said. “With each animal that has come and stayed with me, I have gotten attached to them. The joy I get when I see the dogs go on to their forever families is beautiful.”

Pat Hayes also started fostering in 2014 and has since cared for about 11 animals who stay in her home for about two weeks at a time.

“I have really enjoyed it,” Hayes said. “You always see that little tail start wagging when you get in the car from the shelter and head home.”

Chilton County’s volunteer rescue coordinator Tina Austin facilitates the foster parents in Chilton County with dogs from the Chilton County Humane Society and works with about 15 rescue organizations nationwide.

Due to an overpopulation of animals in the South, many of the animals end up being sent north due to a difference in animal control laws.

One of the requirements many rescue organizations put forth is all animals transported to various organizations must be outside of a shelter for two weeks (to ensure the dogs don’t come down with diseases.)

This often poses a problem with the rescue system due to a lack of individuals willing to foster animals in their homes during the “quarantine” period.

“One thing we really try to avoid is dumping an animal on someone,” Austin said. “We don’t want someone taking in an animal that they will have to care for longer than what they originally thought. So, if someone fosters an animal, we try to keep it at two weeks before we arrange a transport for that animal.”

Katherine Reece has fostered more than 100 animals in her home, and said she often stays updated with the animals after they leave her home and become adopted.

“Usually, when you bring an animal into your home, they are damaged,” Reece said. “They have been demoralized. You take them and bring them into your home for a brief time, and you get the privilege of watching that animal bloom.”

The group has started a Facebook page and updates pictures of the dogs available for fostering for individuals interested in selecting a dog.

“The thing to remember is fostering an animal saves lives,” Reece said. “The shelter can only hold so many animals, and by agreeing to foster you are allowing more animals the opportunity of being adopted.”

Currently, the group is in need of more pet fosters who would be willing to house animals for a temporary period of time.

For more information about the foster program, contact the Chilton County Humane Society at (205) 755-9170 or visit the “Friends of Chilton Animals” Facebook page.