Volunteer to care for sick, injured, and young pets

Each year, hundreds of sick and injured dogs and cats are nursed back to health by loving foster volunteers at King County animal shelters. Another 50 of these heroes are needed by King County Animal Services to provide temporary care in their homes for sick, injured and young cats and dogs so they can be adopted out in the future.

Throughout the year, King County receives scores of cats and dogs that are either too young or not well enough to adopt out right away. These pets will need to be in a foster home until they are the right age for adoption or have recovered from their illness or injuries. Sick animals that are brought in must be put in foster care so they don't infect healthy animals in the shelters.

To help save the lives of these abandoned animals, King County Animal Services will hold a training session on Thursday, April 27 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the King County Kent Animal Shelter for residents interested in volunteering as foster parents. Residents can receive more information or register for the training by calling 206-296-4015 or by e-mailing pets@metrokc.gov.

"We simply could not save as many lives without the help of our foster volunteers. These animal advocates nurse back to health or socialize hundreds of cats and dogs annually so we can adopt them out later at one of our shelters. Foster volunteers really make a difference in the lives of homeless animals," said Walt Washington, King County Animal Services Manager.

King County Animal Services foster volunteers must be able to provide a clean and safe environment to care for the foster animals and prevent injury and the spread of disease. Most supplies, such as food, flea control and milk replacer, can be supplied to volunteers by Friends of King County Animal Control. Residents who want to foster dogs must have a fenced yard with some form of shelter. Additionally, a place should be provided in the home where the dog is welcome, as they are social animals who crave interaction with people.

Foster volunteers must be at least 17 years of age or be collaborating on the care of their foster animals with a parent or guardian.

The King County Kent Animal Shelter is located at 21615 64th Avenue South.