In an effort to decrease the spread of canine upper respiratory infections at Dallas Animal Services, the shelter is offering an incentive for those who choose to foster large dogs. This incentive comes in the form of a $150 Amazon gift card, according to a press release from the City of Dallas.
The shelter hopes to achieve a “clean break” in virus spread by fostering more dogs. Gift cards are being offered with the first 80 adoptions. Eligible dogs must be fostered for at least 14 days.
This is not the first round of incentives Dallas Animal Services has offered for fostering. As The Dallas Express previously reported, a similar initiative in December was successful in finding many dogs temporary homes.
“In November, DAS began working with the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine experts to build an ambitious plan to create a ‘clean break’ in its building and stop the spread of illness,” the press release explains. “DAS is calling on North Texans to help the shelter find adoption, foster, or rescue placement for the remaining 188 exposed dogs in its care to fully stop the spread of illness.”
Foster pets from DAS are also provided with all necessary medical care and supplies.
Volunteers to foster animals are vital for DAS, according to the shelter’s website. Fosters help to prevent animal overpopulation and homelessness. Short- and long-term fostering options are available.
Specific guidelines must also be followed when fostering from DAS. These include regular phone or email access, the ability to transport the pet from the shelter and back, and appropriate socialization with other animals in the house. Any other pets at home should have the needed vaccines, including being up-to-date on the rabies vaccination, the website shares.
When it comes to large adult dogs, there is always a great need for foster homes.
“As the only open-admissions shelter in the city of Dallas, DAS takes in dozens of new pets each day and our largest population is consistently larger adult dogs,” the DAS website explains.
“Providing a foster home for large adult dogs until we can find an adopter or a rescue partner willing to take them not only frees up kennel space for us to bring in new dogs, but it’s also a great way for us to learn more about that dog’s personality in a home environment.”
The shelter also launched a new program to keep new animals from being exposed to distemper. This program, called Three to Thrive, is intended for unvaccinated dogs being brought to the shelter. These dogs will be vaccinated for distemper and placed in a foster home for three to five days.
According to the press release, “anyone interested in adopting, fostering, or rescuing dogs from Dallas Animal Services should come to 1818 North Westmoreland Road from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7 and Sunday, Jan. 8.”
