Fostering saves lives!

Wanna save two lives? Adopt a pet from a shelter or a rescue. You’ll be giving one pet a forever home and making space for another.

Wanna save a whole lotta lives? Foster a shelter or a rescue pet. You’ll give a big dog a break from a kennel and noise from the neighbors, or you’ll bottle-feed and care for a litter of newborn kittens so they’ll grow up to be healthy, lovably obnoxious cats. You’ll lessen the load of shelter staff and volunteers so that they can extend medical care and playtime to the pets in the kennels. You’ll ease shelter overcrowding.

Most importantly, you’ll share your time and home with a bunch of neat animals as they take an important step in the journey to adoption. When they do get adopted, you’ll know that you’re a big part of the reason why they did.

“Fostering is one of the most rewarding and impactful ways to help animals in need,” reads an article in Animal Rescue Hub [“How Fostering Saves Lives and Helps Your Local Animal Shelter Thrive,” April 2025.] “Foster homes provide a crucial lifeline for shelter pets, offering animals a temporary escape from the often stressful and crowded shelter environment. But fostering isn’t just beneficial to the shelter—it’s also life-saving for the animals, who receive individualized care and attention that helps them thrive until they find their forever home.”

“Fostering allows dogs to decompress away from the noisy and crowded shelter — this is when you can see their true personalities emerge when they feel safe and are comfortable in a home environment,” volunteer dog foster Cheryl Ferramola said. “In addition, fostering helps to get better notes on the dog, such as “good with children, cats and other dogs”; “potty trained”; “crate trained”; “enjoys road trips”; “good on pack walks”; etc. I have fostered and temp-fostered 16 LBACS dogs in the past four years. As a shelter volunteer, I have seen the dogs who need help, and I try to foster when my schedule allows. I tend to foster the ones that are becoming urgent due to kennel stress to help them reset and decompress. Kennel stress is real, and it takes its toll on the pups.”

A temp foster fills in while the main foster is out of town — sort of a substitute teacher for the pet. Temporary fosters ensure that a dog doesn’t have to return to the shelter while the main foster is away and also fills a need for a person who can’t commit to full-time fostering.

Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) has been growing its foster program to keep ahead of the numbers of dogs and cats of all ages and states of health that enter the shelter. The program, laid out on this page, is an extension of the shelter’s adoption program: it makes animals adoptable. After the former foster coordinator left for a new opportunity, staff members were pulling double-duty to run the foster program during the six-months search for a new coordinator. Waylon Jaime applied, was hired and stepped into his position the same day that kittens began pouring in from the kitten season deluge.

“I started the same day that the kittens did!” Jaime said.

Jaime comes from a nonprofit background. His last position was coordinator for HOPICS, a social services outreach program that serves unhoused and vulnerable families in Los Angeles County. Jaime worked there for almost five years, three of them as animal-care coordinator. He saw the foster-coordinator position as a good fit for his organization skills and passion for animal welfare.

“Waylon’s slowly integrating into his duties,” shelter superintendent Alma Vera-Lima said. “Ultimately, his main responsibility is to maintain a robust foster community and to get animals into temporary foster homes.

Jaime’s hiring couldn’t have been more timely, with the peaking of kitten season. One of his responsibilities is to find rescue placement for them and fosters who are willing to take the time to learn to bottle-feed and generally care for the vulnerable little creatures.

“When kittens come in very young or very sick, it can be difficult to get them into foster homes because we don’t always get the support,” he said. “So, we have great rescue partnerships that can help and can work with fostering.”

Helen Sanders CatPAWS and The Little Lion Foundation regularly pull kittens from LBACS.

Jaime also evaluates animals, dogs in particular, and observes their needs and traits to help determine placement. Not all dogs have the temperament to go to a foster — some go to rescues to address behavioral issues. But Jaime will work to match dogs who will benefit from fostering with the right people. He’ll also make an effort with dogs, especially Long-Stay Legends — the dogs who have been in the shelter for longer than a year, along with the newborn kittens, of course.

“Big dogs are the biggest population of dogs we have,” Vera-Limon said. “Little dogs tend to get adopted early, but big dogs stay awhile. All of our Long-Stay Legend dogs are big dogs and older dogs.”

Whatever decision Jaime makes for a pet’s future will be in the best interest of the pet.

“Fostering gets the pet out of the shelter,” he said. “The animal may be exhibiting stress there, which makes them appear not as adoptable as they really are. Fostering brings out the dog’s real traits — it’s not as stressful being in someone’s home as it is being in a shelter with a bunch of other animals in the kennels. The fosters usually have good networking skills for getting the animals out there [in the public eye]. As far as the shelter goes, it alleviates the strain of caring for them all.”

Fostering saves lives

Somewhere in every article about fostering is the phrase “Fostering saves lives.” It’s the first sentence on the shelter’s fostering page. The bigger effort that a municipal shelter makes in foster programs, the fewer pets will face euthanasia for space, stress-related issues and illness that can be cured. Newborn kittens are the most vulnerable of shelter pets — they’re delicate and subject to disease. Even healthy ones can face euthanasia if the shelter has no resources for their care and feeding.

Jaime and Vera-Lima said that anyone who has the time and effort can foster a pet and save lives. Newborn-kitten care is time consuming, with feeding and monitoring, but LBACS staff can train potential caregivers and the shelter provides food and medical care. The foster will be responsible for their feeding, weighing them, monitoring their health’ and taking them to medical appointments. Best of all, fosters of newborns get to see their teeny, helpless charges grow into kittens who have no problem helping themselves.

“With kittens specifically, anyone who loves animals and can make the time, can foster,” Vera-Lima said. “LBACS has had entire families fostering newborn kittens and taking shifts in the care. As far as dogs, we don’t require a big backyard as long as the foster can work with them and be communicative with us.”

Dog fosters are responsible for bringing the dogs to events for showcasing, taking videos and sending them to the shelter, and of course, feeding them, playing with them and showering them with affection.

Fosters for pets with medical needs are particularly encouraged. As with all pets, medical expenses are covered by LBACS, along with the food.

“I have also fostered dogs for several months who had medical needs, like my buddy Baxter, who arrived at the shelter with a traumatic injury to his hind leg that required amputation,” Ferramola said. “He stayed with me through the surgery and recovery period and landed the best mom ever. She keeps me updated on his life and even sent me pics when she got engaged and let me know Baxter is getting a dad!”

How to apply to foster

Potential fosters will access the LBACS application page and read the program overview. The applicant will be prompted to log in if they’re already a shelter volunteer or to create a profile if they are not. After checking the little box that confirms that they’ve read the overview, the applicant will complete the form.

Jaime said that the name of a particular pet that has caught the applicant’s fancy may be entered into the application. If the pet is not available to foster, Jaime will match the applicant with a pet. Like online dating, except you’ll get a match who won’t question your tastes in music, unless it’s a high-pitched flute concerto.

What if you don’t want to say goodbye?

Some fosters develop a strong bond with the pet and don’t want to give them back.

“I have cried many times wishing I could keep them, but having three dogs of my own plus a foster is a lot of dog,” said Patti Mysior, a frequent foster. “But don’t think that I haven’t considered it because I have, several times. Then, the reality of how much work four dogs would be kicks in.”

Mysior is presently fostering Onyx, a sweet tripod who also had a recent rear-leg amputation. Mysior said that Onyx is the easiest dog she’s ever fostered.

“Somehow, even after being at the shelter for over a year and not getting a walk every day as much as we try to, he is housebroken, doesn’t chew anything up, barks only occasionally, relaxes a lot, is snuggly, and loves belly rubs. I really wish I could keep him, but I know he will find his perfect person who can devote lots of time to him and spoil him.”

Foster PJ said that she avoids emotional goodbyes by purposely fostering dogs that aren’t her type.

“I don't want to get too comfortable!” she said. “I can't always afford the money or energy to own, so fostering is perfect. I know I can at least provide routine and training, even for animals that don't fit my lifestyle. Most importantly, my place is designed for recovery. I usually take the medical or weird cases. It helps me take care of myself when I have something else to take care of at the same time. I'm not usually sad because I know I've done my best to give them a chance at their forever home.”

“I remind fosters that they’re stewards of the animal’s life,” Jaime said. “It gets them from A to B. [This part of] the journey might be fun, but they still have to get to where they’re going.”

That would be, of course, to a forever, loving home.

“If anyone did want to adopt, it would be perfect,” Vera-Lima said. “We would never interfere in that because when you meet your soul dog or soul cat, it’s a connection. But with foster-to-adopt, it sometimes takes a foster away. I don’t adopt my fosters because I want to keep my home open.”

With more homes open to fosters and encouraging them to take a pet home to make them adoptable, Jaime feels that the program will stay afloat.

“There are so many animals that need help along the way, and they should all get the same chance,” he said.

Fostering saves lives.

YOURS DROOLY

April’s adoption special at LBACS bears the whimsical name Paws and Pixies. That brings to mind playful sprites and elves, and LBACS has an enchanted forest’s worth of cats and small and smallish dogs. Gentle giants and big, friendly giants live at LBACS, too, and they all need forever castles. So, until April 30, dogs over 6 months old can go home with you for $25, and cats over 6 months old will be your housemate for $10. They’re guaranteed to cast their magic spell on you, and you’ll be doing the same for them.

Of course, you can foster a pet from LBACS. Check them all out here, or better yet, meet them in person. Be sure to inquire whether they’re available to foster. Shelter hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 7700 E. Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors). Otherwise, email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call 562-570-4925.

Zeus (ID#A758383) is one of those gentle giants. He’s a 2-year-old mastiff/boxer mix who needs a fairy-tale happy ending to his sad story. Zeus was seized by animal control and ultimately surrendered to the shelter following neglectful living conditions. He had a sister who didn’t live through the neglect. But, as one staff member said, it’s hard to believe that Zeus had suffered such horrendous circumstances yet always has something to smile about. He’s also been a good resident at the shelter — he’s receptive to everyone, be they staff, volunteer or another dog. Someone needs to meet him, love him, and show him what a home is supposed to be like.

Then there’s Ruby (ID#A752945), a friendly giantess if anyone is! Ruby is a great name for this spirited girl, because among other things, rubies denote courage and protection, and what’s a German shepherd known for, right? Ruby may be a big girl, but she’s playful as a pup. She loves fetch in the play yard and meeting up with doggie friends there. She loves snuggles, too! Ruby’s 2 years old and is learning the ropes — or maybe that should be leashes — of behavior and control. Ruby is finding being cooped up in a kennel very stressful when she isn’t out playing. Once she’s outside, she’s happy, playful and enchanting!

Cats are always magical creatures, but Grumpies (ID#A755620), a 7-year-old tabby, could easily model for Jólakötturinn, the Icelandic Yule cat who’s in a perennial bad mood whether it’s Christmas or is not. Coincidentally, Jólakötturinn was the pet of a giantess. But don’t be fooled by that sour puss! Grumpies is grumpy in name only, despite recent challenges. He was brought to LBACS by his family, who gave him the name. They obviously loved him, but, sadly, they had to surrender him to LBACS because they had to move and the new rental didn’t allow pets. This was after seven years of being a house cat! He also had eyelid surgery for a condition called entropion, which makes the eyelids turn inwards and irritate the corneas. Now, his big gorgeous green eyes can really be seen! “In spite of all this, he’s a confident sprite and loves affection, especially if a lap is involved. This Grumpies is no grumpy spirit! He’d love to charm your household!

TAIL-WAGGIN' AND NOSE-BOOPIN' EVENTS

Long Beach’s Favorite Pet entries open

Your furry, feathered, scaly or shelled buddy has up to April 19 to nip you on the ankle and remind you to submit their photo and info to this great competition! Entries cost $10, which will be donated to Long Beach Animal Care Services. Information is available here. Contest is open to Long Beach residents only.

Pet Loss and Illness Support Group

The worst day in the life you share with a pet is the day you have to say goodbye forever. Grief is personal on the one hand, and on the other hand, you have a lot of company who get what you’re going through. Helen Sanders CatPAWS rescue gets it, too, and offers a space for anyone who also gets it, who’ll never say to you, “But it was just a cat.” Or a dog, or a rabbit, or a horse, or a goldfish. The members of this group will listen, connect, and support you, and you’ll do the same for them.

The Pet Loss and Illness Support Group takes place Saturday, April 18, 5100 E. The Toledo, Long Beach. No cost for the meeting, but let the leads know that you’re coming here.

Bunny Yoga

Join in on a sylvan stretch session hosted by the Sunshine Rabbit Center bunnies at Level Up Dance Studio! Enjoy a session of gentle yoga while rescue rabbits gambol around you and ask for pets while you enjoy your calming afternoon session. Yogis from 12 years old and up are welcome! Bring your water bottle, mat and your phone to snap lots of pictures!

Bunny Yoga takes place Saturday, April 18, at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. at Level Up Dance Studio, 3202 E. Willow St., Signal Hill. Tickets $25 each. Registration and more information here.

National Cat Lady Day Celebration

The term “cat lady” is no longer taken on as a slur or a taunt even if it’s meant as one, and good for us! Cat ladies — men, too, who love cats call themselves cat ladies or at least cat dads — are people to celebrate, and that’s exactly what the Feline Good Social Club will do this month! Put on your black pants with the shed fur all over the seat and legs, and join in the fun at Long Beach’s first cat lounge. There, you’ll be in cat-lady heaven as over 40 sweet and adoptable cats swarm all over you. You can have your photo taken at the photo booth and cement your status as an official cat lady. More info and ticket sales here! Please don’t bring your own cat—you can always adopt one from Feline Good Social Club!

The National Cat Lady Day Celebration takes place April 26, noon–5 p.m., at the Feline Good Social Club, 301 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach. Ticket prices $30.

Need a low-cost veterinarian, information about trapping community cats, places to volunteer, pet food, veterinary assistance, rescues and shelters to adopt from — anything pet related? Follow this link for resources. Please add your own ideas in the Comments section.