June is National Foster a Pet Month—a time of year for highlighting the benefits of providing temporary homes for animals. If you run an animal rescue, you know how crucial it is to have a strong foster network. This month presents a great opportunity to connect with compassionate people who are ready to open their hearts and homes to animals in need. With a little effort, you can make the most of this special month and recruit more foster families than ever before!
What Is National Foster a Pet Month?
National Foster a Pet Month, celebrated every June, is a nationwide campaign dedicated to advocating for animal fostering. During the month, organizations across the country come together to raise awareness about the need for foster homes. The ultimate goal is to encourage more people to give animals the care they need until they find their forever homes.
Petco Love, formerly known as the Petco Foundation, has led this initiative. In 2019, Susanne Kogut, President of Petco Love, said, “If less than two percent of the 85 million pet-owning households in the U.S. fostered one pet a year, we could eliminate unnecessary euthanasia in animal shelters tomorrow.” That’s why the nonprofit partnered with BOBS from Skechers to promote fostering during the summer months when shelters are overcrowded.
Why National Foster a Pet Month Is Relevant to Rescues
Most rescues don’t have facilities to house animals like shelters do, which makes fostering all the more crucial. That’s why it’s worth getting involved in National Foster a Pet Month. You can build on the event’s momentum to promote fostering for your organization and contribute to the larger cause.
This month provides rescues like yours with a golden opportunity to do the following:
- Raise Awareness: You can shine a light on the benefits of fostering and the urgent need for more foster homes.
- Boost Capacity: With more foster homes, you can rescue more animals from shelters and off the streets.
- Improve Animal Well-Being: Having fosters take in animals even temporarily can reduce stress levels and result in better rest.
- Expand Community: You can engage with your local community and create a supportive network of animal lovers and advocates.
- Save More Lives: Having more fosters allows sick, premature, and senior animals to receive the care they need to survive.
- Increase Adoptions: By promoting fostering, you can ensure animals get socialization, which helps them adjust better and increases their chances of adoption.
9 Ways to Promote Animal Fostering
If you’re eager to make the most of National Foster a Pet Month, you’re in luck! There are countless ways to promote animal fostering through your rescue and others. Below are some ideas for spreading awareness, educating the public, and encouraging people to take in vulnerable animals temporarily.
1. Run Google Ads to Relevant Pages
Foster outreach is a great idea for Google Ads any time of year, but it’s especially impactful during National Foster a Pet Month. You can drive traffic to your fostering page to encourage applications. Or, if you have a page dedicated to fostering resources, such as a comprehensive guide, you can send people there instead. Either way, you can expand your reach using Google Ads and make more animal lovers aware of fostering opportunities.
2. Feature Animals on Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool to reach a broad audience of potential fosters. Use it to encourage your followers (and their friends) to get involved. Consider posting high-quality pictures of pets that need temporary homes on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. You can also share brief videos about each animal’s history and needs.
3. Write Blog Posts about Fostering
For National Foster a Pet Month, consider writing a series of blog posts about fostering. After all, you likely have a lot of knowledge to share. And that means you can tackle the topic from various angles:
- What fostering entails
- Common questions about fostering
- The benefits of fostering
- How to become a foster
By creating educational posts and optimizing them for search, you can reach more people who are interested in fostering. Plus, you can demonstrate your authority in the space.
4. Celebrate Success Stories
Sharing success stories is one of the most effective ways to promote animal fostering. Personal stories resonate deeply and can inspire others to get involved. Feature stories of animals who have thrived in foster care and gone on to find their forever homes. You can share them through the following channels:
- In your newsletter
- On your website
- On your social media pages
Chances are, those in your foster network would love to get involved. So, reach out and ask them to share their experiences.
5. Hang Posters in Local Businesses
If you have the resources available, design eye-catching posters to promote fostering and place them in high-traffic areas. Some examples include grocery stores, coffee shops, libraries, and community centers. Just connect with the business owner or staff first to see if they’re willing to hang them up in honor of National Foster a Pet Month.
Tip: Ensure the posters have a clear call to action and contact information.
6. Attend Animal-Friendly Events
Take advantage of local events that welcome pets. Maybe your library or community center has an animal day each month. In that case, bring one of your rescue animals and share information about fostering. Engage with attendees by answering questions and distributing materials.
7. Host Informational Sessions
Did you host an event for National Pet Month? Then do the same for National Foster a Pet Month!
Organize virtual or in-person informational sessions where potential fosters can learn more about the process, ask questions, and hear from experienced fosters. Make these sessions interactive and engaging. Along with potentially expanding your foster network, you can ensure more people walk away with a greater understanding of the importance of fostering.
8. Collaborate with Other Organizations
The more people who get involved in raising awareness for fostering, the better. Consider partnering with veterinary clinics and pet supply stores to reach a wider audience. Collaborate with other organizations by seeing if they would be willing to distribute brochures or even donate a portion of proceeds toward foster needs.
9. Offer Incentives to New Fosters
Look for ways to offer incentives to foster families, such as discounts at local pet stores, free veterinary care, or other perks. A little incentive can go a long way in encouraging more people to become fosters. Plus, it can help address any objections someone might have to fostering.
Expand Your Foster Network This Month!
National Foster a Pet Month is more than just a campaign—it’s a movement to save lives and create a caring community. As an animal rescue leader, you have the power to make a significant impact. By implementing these ideas, you can recruit more fosters, provide better care for your animals, and ultimately, find more forever homes. Get started today and watch your foster network grow, bringing hope and love to animals in need!