With many people forced to stay at home, it can be a good time to consider spending the next few weeks fostering an animal in need.
Santa Barbara County Animal Services is in need of volunteers to help foster animals.
The goal is to not only help the animals, but make space in the three shelters located in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and Lompoc.
Animal experts say fostering can be a big help decreasing the animals cortisol levels and help with the adoption process for its forever family.
"A lot of times the foster family falls in love with the animal they are fostering," Michelle Maltun said, community outreach coordinator. "Or maybe they have a friend or family member who has been looking and it makes that transition very seamless for them."
Those stepping up to foster would also help ease the burden felt by the lower staffing levels as the nation responds to the coronavirus.
"We make fostering really easy for people," Maltun said. We send you home with everything you need for foster your animal. Food, bed, toys, bowls. Anything you need for that animal. We request people commit to an animal for two weeks."
The shelter is accepting donations like food, KONG toys, and hard beds, but asks people hold off on donating blankets, towels and soft dog toys.
All three locations will be appointment only. You can learn more by clicking the shelter's website here.
