The Florida Keys SPCA’s foster program turns heartbreaking situations into heartwarming success stories.
Orphaned kittens, barely clinging to life in the absence of their mother’s protection and nourishment, have a small chance of survival. That’s heartbreaking.
But a box of tiny kittens, in a safe house or apartment, where human hands provide sustenance and love until the kittens are old enough to stay at the shelter and sweep a forever family off their feet? That’s heartwarming.
The Florida Keys SPCA in both Key West and Marathon needs foster volunteers throughout the year, for orphaned kittens and puppies until they’re old enough for the shelter. But foster homes become even more critical during the summer months, when hurricanes threaten the island chain and evacuations are possible.
“Our Key West shelter is built to withstand a Category 5 storm, and some staff members typically volunteer to stay here at the shelter with our animals during a storm,” said executive director Tammy Fox. “But if the approaching storm is looking dangerous, no one wants to stay in the Keys, and that means our animals need to evacuate as well. We won’t leave any of them here without staff members.”
Fox added that the Marathon animal shelter is not designed for a strong storm, so all resident animals there must evacuate with foster families or be brought to Key West.
Aside from the summer storm season, foster volunteers are needed to care temporarily for animals that need short-term special care. Perhaps a dog recently had surgery and is in the dreaded cone. Or an animal may be being treated for heartworms and needs to be kept away from other animals.
“Everyone heals better in a home environment than in a shelter or kennel,” Fox said. “Animals recuperate and respond to treatment faster and better than they would in a kennel. And our foster volunteers are amazing human beings.”
Fostered animals typically spend three to six weeks in a home, depending on their needs.
“And the SPCA pays for all food, medical supplies, blankets, anything that’s needed,” said Fox, who last week welcomed a “cone-headed dog” named Perry (he’d been abandoned in a local hotel room) into her office so she could make sure he didn’t slip the cone and irritate a cyst on his front paw that was being treated.
“Perry would be a perfect fit for a foster home,” she said as Crystal Ruffo, the shelter’s volunteer and education coordinator, walked into the office cradling a pint-sized, blue-eyed, 6-week-old kitten. (Both are available for adoption, by the way.)
Upcoming events for the Florida Keys SPCA:
Informational meeting for potential foster volunteers — Thursday, May 29 from 6 to 7 p.m. Participants can also join via Zoom with meeting ID: 714 8399 7627
Key West-minster Dog Show fundraiser — Saturday, June 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sunset Pier at Ocean Key Resort. Prizes awarded for Best Underbite, Floppiest Ears, Best Butt Wiggle and many more. $15 entry fee benefits the Florida Keys SPCA. Visit kewywestminsterdogshow.eventbrite.com.
