Foster Express Challenge Through Holiday Season

Santa Barbara City Mayor Cathy Murillo with adoptable dog, Shadow.

Source: Santa Barbara County Animal Services

Looking for an opportunity to help a shelter dog or cat? Interested in getting to know an animal you are thinking of adopting? Join us for The Foster Express Challenge! From now until January 10, 2020, Santa Barbara County Animal Services is helping shelter dogs and cats (puppies and kittens too!) get out of the shelter for as little as two hours to as long as two weeks. Santa Barbara County Animal Services takes in just over 6,200 animals per year at their three shelters countywide in Lompoc, Santa Maria, and Santa Barbara. This challenge is designed to help shelters get more dogs and cats out of the shelter during the hectic holiday season, get them more exposure, as well as attract new foster caregivers.

Recently, Santa Barbara City Mayor Cathy Murillo and Councilwoman Meagan Harmon visited with the Santa Barbara County Animal Services Volunteer Foster Coordinator to promote the shelter’s Foster Express Challenge. This holiday season the shelter is encouraging community members to come take a dog out to coffee, on a hike, or home to relax during what is otherwise a slow time for the shelter.

“19 out of 21 of our adoptions last month were a result of this program and we currently have about 15 more dogs lucky enough to be sleeping in cozy foster homes tonight. We’re so happy with its success and the benefit for the animals”, shared Santa Barbara County Animal Services Director Tara Diller. “We are committed to ensuring that we are keeping in line with best practices and fostering is the future of animal sheltering. We hope to only
expand this program in the future to help keep shelter pets emotionally sound while they wait for their new homes.”

Give back this holiday season and participate in the Foster Express Challenge by emailing sbcasfosters@gmail.com or visiting any of our shelters located in Santa Barbara (5473 Overpass Road), Lompoc (1501 West Central Avenue), and Santa Maria (548 W. Foster Road).