On a single night in January 2015, 564,708 people were homeless [i]. It’s estimated that between 5-10% of those have dogs and cats and, in some areas, that percentage could be as high as 24%[ii]. Those numbers translate to 28,000-56,000 people homeless with their animals. Many of these people choose to remain on the street rather than abandon their animal who generally aren’t allowed in shelters. Families struggling with the fear and stress of rebuilding after losing their homes, shouldn’t also have to choose between a beloved family member and the safety of their family.
Beginning October 1, 2016, Family Promise of Greater Wichita, as part of its commitment to provide shelter, meals, and comprehensive support services, is launching a pet foster program to enable struggling families to keep their pets while they participate in the Family Promise program.
As a Pet Foster for Family Promise, you can help participating families in their journey to rebuild and get back on their feet. With this simple, and rewarding act, you will make a difference in the lives of families who have suffered the ordeal of losing their home. Giving families reassurance that their beloved pet will be safe and loved while they participate in the program is an incredible gift. As a pet foster you will:
- Allow families to enter the safety of the program without worrying about their pets
- Help contribute to a family’s stability by caring for their pets while they work toward permanent housing
- Keep families together during a time they need it the most
GET STARTED TODAY
The process to begin fostering is simple:
- Download the application, fill it out, and return it to petpromise@familypromisewichita.org
- Your application will be reviewed and you will be contacted by a Family Promise Representative to go over the specifics of the program and the pets being fostered.
- A Family Promise Representative will perform a home visit
- Once everything is approved, your foster pet will commence its stay with you while its family is in the program, a length typically averaging 60 days.
WANT TO HELP, BUT CAN’T FOSTER?
There are numerous ways to support the foster program even if you can’t foster yourself:
- Donate dog food, cat food, bowls, grooming supplies, toys, leashes, etc.
- Offer or donate for medical services: vaccinations, spay/neuter, flea treatment, deworming, etc.
- Offer Emergency 3 day Kennel during transition between family and foster
- Donate your time to groom or donate clippers, towels, shampoo
- Donate time to pick up animal from a foster to walk, take to dog park or day house to visit with family
Every bit helps and contributes to keeping all family members, including the furred and feathered ones, happy, healthy, and safe during their transition.
For more information, please contact Family Promise of Greater Wichita at petpromise@familypromisewichita.org.
[i] National Alliance to End Homlessness. (2016). State of Homelessness in America 2016. District of Columbia.
[ii] Pets of the Homeless. (2016, August 3). Frequently asked Questions. Retrieved from Pets of the Homeless:
