Thanksgiving is a period for families to get together, so why exclude a sanctuary creature in the celebrations? That is the thing that Richmond Animal Care and Control (RACC) in Virginia thought when it made their yearly “Thanksgiving Foster” drive, an occasion where individuals can welcome an encourage creature into their home for Thanksgiving.
Presently in its fifth year, RACC is seeking after a “record number of creatures spend the occasion out of the sanctuary.” Last year they had 94 creatures in encourage for Thanksgiving and they need to “void the haven” this year.
Investment in the program is extremely straightforward. “You have a RACC pet (canine or feline) for the Thanksgiving Holiday, give them love and cuddles and attempt to discover them an eternity home with companions and family members or you; we don’t pass judgment in the event that you cultivate fall flat honestly we empower it!”
RACC clarifies on Facebook. Families are free to take an interest however the sanctuary likewise put out a unique solicitation. “We need families with no different pets or children the most this year as we have such huge numbers of canines that need one on one time so please talk your kidless/pupless companions into taking an interest.”
The program is the brainchild of Christie Chipps Peters, cover chief of RACC. She was considering how loved ones assemble for Thanksgiving – yet for destitute creatures it is simply one more day in the sanctuary, one more day without a home. In any case, consider the possibility that it didn’t need to be.
She thought perhaps RACC could ask people to invite shelter animals over to their Thanksgiving dinners. They would provide each foster family with all they needed to care for the pet – food, medication (if needed) and a crate.
Families are asked to keep the dog or cat for a week-long stay, after which the animal comes back to the shelter, if the family decided not to adopt them, which many do.
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Peters asked the community what they thought and she quickly had received 35 invitations. That was four years ago. Every year the event continues to be a success, with many homeless pets finding homes at the end of their Thanksgiving stays. As added incentive, the shelter waives the adoption fee if the family wants to keep the pet. Removing the barriers to adoption has proven immensely successful.