Opening Your Heart and Home: Celebrating National Foster a Pet Month
June is National Foster a Pet Month—a time dedicated to honoring the compassionate individuals who open their homes to animals in need. Fostering a pet is one of the most selfless and impactful ways to support local shelters and rescues. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. And with the support of rescue organizations and the growing community of fosters across the country, you don’t have to do it alone.
Photo by Dominik Gryzbon (via Pexels)
What Does It Mean to Foster a Pet?
Fostering is providing a temporary home to an animal until they are adopted. These pets may be recovering from medical procedures, too young for adoption, needing socialization, or simply waiting for a space to open at a shelter. Fosters offer comfort, stability, and a safe environment—often for the first time in a pet’s life.
Whether you’re taking in a kitten who needs bottle feeding, a senior dog who needs a quiet home, or a pet who’s never known love, your care can completely change their future.
You’re Not Alone: The Support System Behind Fostering
One of the biggest misconceptions about fostering is that you have to do everything on your own. In reality, most rescues provide everything you need—from food, supplies, and medications to veterinary care and behavioral support. You’re never left guessing.
The rescue also handles the adoption process, so your focus stays on helping your foster pet heal and thrive. And the best part? You get to be a crucial chapter in their story—helping them transform into the kind of pet a forever family will fall in love with.
Photo by Dominik Gryzbon (via Pexels)
The Difference You Can Make
Even a short stay in a loving foster home can work wonders for a pet’s well-being. Fearful, shut-down animals begin to trust again. Young animals grow up healthy and well-socialized. Long-stay shelter pets finally catch a break and have a shot at being noticed.
A beautiful recent example that captured hearts online is the story of Tiki, the shut-down foster dog from New York City whose journey was shared by Isabel Klee (@simonsits) on social media. Tiki arrived terrified and withdrawn, but each day brought a small step forward. Isabel documented it all—from the trembling beginnings to tail wags and couch snuggles. Her story showed the patience, love, and time it takes to foster—but also the deep joy that comes from seeing a scared animal blossom. The series went viral, and thousands of people across the country were inspired to sign up as fosters, proving just how powerful one foster story can be.
Missy’s Story: A Family Friends Foster Journey
Right here at Family Friends Veterinary Hospital, we’ve witnessed the incredible power of fostering firsthand. A year ago, our very own Customer Service Representative, Jane Urbanski, agreed to foster a dog through the Great Lakes Golden Retriever Rescue.
Missy was one of more than 200 dogs rescued from a puppy mill in Missouri by the Bissell Pet Foundation. Like many puppy mill survivors, Missy had never experienced life outside of a cage and was afraid of everything—people, sounds, movement, even the feel of grass under her feet.
For six months, Jane worked patiently with Missy to build trust. Slowly but surely, Missy began to come out of her shell. Although still nervous around new people and unfamiliar situations, she found joy, comfort, and safety in Jane’s home. And when it became clear that Missy had found her person, Jane made it official and adopted her.
Missy’s journey didn’t end there. In January, our doctors at Family Friends discovered and removed a cancerous tumor. And just a few months later, in May, they had to biopsy another area of concern. Thankfully, Missy is now cancer-free—and she’s thriving, thanks to Jane’s dedication and the continued care of our veterinary team. Her story is a powerful reminder that when we foster, we’re not just helping pets survive—we’re helping them heal.
Thinking About Fostering? Here’s Why You Should
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You save lives. Every animal you foster opens space in a shelter for another in need.
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You change one pet’s world. Even if just for a few days or weeks, your care makes a lasting difference.
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You become part of something bigger. From online communities to local support, fostering connects you to a world of compassion.
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You gain love (and usually a few laughs). Fostering is messy, funny, heartwarming, and fulfilling.
At Family Friends Veterinary Hospital, we’re proud to support fosters in our community and the rescues who make this possible. If you’ve ever considered becoming a foster, there’s no better time than now. Whether you’re in it for the cuddles, the cause, or the joy of watching a pet come alive again, your heart (and your couch) could be just what a homeless pet needs most.
Local Shelters and Rescues That Need You
If you’re feeling inspired to foster, there are many incredible organizations in West Michigan that are always in desperate need of helping hands—and loving homes. Whether you’re experienced or brand new to fostering, these groups provide guidance, resources, and support every step of the way:
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Humane Society of West Michigan– Walker, Michigan
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Kent County Animal Shelter– Grand Rapids, Michigan
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Ionia County Animal Shelter– Ionia, Michigan
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Hearts of Hope Dog Rescue– Grand Rapids, Michigan
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Fig and Friends Pet Rescue– Grand Rapids, Michigan
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Harbor Humane Society– West Olive, Michigan
- Big Lake Humane Society– Muskegon, Michigan
…and so many more. No matter who you choose to foster for, you’ll be joining a community of animal lovers working together to give pets the second chance they deserve. If you have room in your home—and your heart—consider becoming a foster this month. The impact you make could last a lifetime!
