Ever wanted to have a dog or cat but not the cost that comes with one? Fostering may be a good option for you. Fostering is a way for ex-stray and abused dogs and cats to adjust to a pet lifestyle. It also lets people who love cats and/or dogs to own one for a short amount of time without having to pay for food or other pet necessities. “The puppies are so cute and fun to love on. By the time my kids are tired of cleaning up after them it is time they go up for adoption,” said Stephanie Waite, a foster mom.

Fostering is beneficial to everyone involved. The dogs benefit because they’re not in a shelter and fostering gives them a better chance at being adopted. Fostering is also good for dogs or cats recuperating from surgery who have no other safe place to go and for puppies or kittens that are too young to be adopted. The foster parent benefits because they get to have a dog or cat for free. “Fostering is great! It solves all my issues with having a dog,” said Stephanie.

The Animal Rescue Foundation in Texas (ARF) allows people to foster dogs or cats and do most of the heavy lifting. They pay for the food, pee pads, and other pet needs. “Plus if you have to leave town, ARF arranges for another foster to host your dog,” said Stephanie. All you have to do to be allowed to foster is to fill out a 3-4 page application. ARF puts the dogs and cats up for adoption after the fostering process is complete. They do adoptions through Petco and through a local adoption center called Earthwise Pet Supply. If you want to learn more about fostering or want to fill out an application to become a foster parent, go to http://www.arftx.com/.