Calling all animal lovers: If you're home for most of the day and have the space to take in a furry friend, Chicago area shelters have sent out a call for people like you to join their emergency foster lists.
Typically, a foster family houses a pet for a period of a few weeks or months until it can be permanently adopted. But as shelters grapple with the potential for future quarantines—which could prevent employees from accessing the shelter building—the service is extra-important to make sure animals get adequate care and love. Plus, who among us couldn't use a little more companionship during the sometimes-lonely doldrums of social distancing?
Organizations like PAWS Chicago, the Anti-Cruelty Society, One Tail at a Time and Heartland Animal Shelter have launched emergency foster lists—visit their websites for more details about how to register. Have another local shelter in mind? Try reaching out to see if they have a similar program in place. And if you're not in a position to foster, you can still lend a helping hand by donating money, food or supplies.