For most of my life I have taken care of animals. I volunteered for my local humane society all throughout high school and now, as an adult, my husband and I have fostered (and adopted) a cat and a dog from ours. It is true that I have a love for animals- I come by it naturally. However, everyone (not just the animal lovers) can see the benefits of fostering a pet.

Help stop the epidemic of pet overpopulation.

Every year 7.6 million cats and dogs are surrendered to shelters with only 2 million adoptions. This number doesn’t account for the hundreds of thousands of animals living on the streets. It seems like there is a stray dog or cat around every corner.

The majority of these homeless pets are not spayed or neutered - meaning that they will continue to grow in number. Overpopulation leads to diseases, crowded shelters, and animal cruelty. It is unsafe for people and for pets. Fostering an animal will help your local humane society get more pets off of the streets. You can have a direct hand in stopping the epidemic of overpopulation.

Support your local humane society and make your community a better place.

This reason goes hand-in-hand with the last. Humane societies are devoted to helping make their local communities a better place. They work to address the issue of overpopulation meaning that animals are taken off of the streets. I have seen first hand what it looks like to not have a humane society- animals are not taken care of and disease is spread like a common cold. Places that have a humane society (and the support of the public) are generally cleaner and safer.

One of the best ways to support your local humane society is by fostering a pet. This allows the humane society (particularly those tight on space) to continue taking animals off of the streets and bettering the community. Fostering a pet does not only benefit the animal- it is a way to have a direct hand in making your community a better place.

It's FREE!

They say, "the best things in life come free", yet the main factor that stands between a family and adopting a pet is the financial responsibility. Fostering a pet allows a family to have the joys of a new pet without the financial pressure. Food, toys, beds, litter, and anything else needed for pet care is provided entirely by the humane society. Fostering provides the joy that comes with having a pet without having to worry about the extra cost.

Although you may end up paying with some extra kisses.

Fostering a pet can improve your mental health

Most people agree that being around a friendly pet can turn a bad mood into a good one. Now science supports that thought. According to a new study conducted by the American Psychological Association being around an animal can not only improve your mood but also your mental health. Having a pet can be a source of emotional support for all people- not just those who suffer from mental illness. Of course, this is common knowledge to existing pet-owners.

Witness pets finding good homes

Seeing one pet go from an abusive situation to a good home is enough for most people to continue fostering for a long time to come. When you begin to get involved with your humane society and see the horrendous situations some of the pets come from your eyes will be opened. Those same animals that would have suffered and died from disease and abuse are now going to loving families as a result of the work by your local humane society. Fostering a pet allows you to play a crucial role in that process.

Whether your foster pet goes to a new home or finds a home with you (as both of ours did), you will receive the joy of helping make a difference in one animal’s life.

Personally, fostering pets has been something that has brought great joy to my family. My husband and I have now fostered (and adopted) two pets from our local Union County Humane Society. Being involved with the humane society has created new relationships, bettered our small-town of New Albany, MS, and has given us great joy. Every family should consider getting involved and fostering a pet. Trust someone who knows- it is worth it.

All of the animals pictured are available for adoption from the Union County Humane Society.