Dr. Gary Weitzman from the SD Humane Society talked about how the community can help ease numbers at shelters and what kinds of pets are available. Here are ways community members can make a direct impact: Adopt. If you have been considering adding a pet to your home, now is a great time to adopt. In addition to giving a deserving animal a home for the holidays, you’ll create much-needed shelter space for animals with nowhere else to turn. Visit www.sdhumane.org/adopt Foster. SDHS has a critical need for foster homes for dogs, especially those who have been exposed to CDV and are under quarantine. Getting these deserving pets into foster care will reduce the spread of disease, increase the quality of life for dogs during their quarantine period, and free up space in at-capacity shelters. Support will be provided to fosters every step of the way. Learn more or sign up at www.sdhumane.org/foster Seek support. If you are considering relinquishing your animal, we have resources to keep pets with their families through challenging times. Visit www.sdhumane.org/supportservices Rehome pets. If a community member cannot keep their pet, we ask they try rehoming them before bringing them to the shelter. SDHS offers rehoming resources that can help. These tools allow pet owners to create a profile for their adoptable pet and place the animal directly in their new home — eliminating the need for a shelter stay. For more information, visit www.sdhumane.org/rehome Reunite stray animals with their owners. Many stray pets are found close to home! If you find a stray animal, there are steps you can take to reunite them directly with their owner, skipping a trip to the shelter. Visit www.sdhumane.org/found FINALLY: Make a Charitable Donation – most animal shelters and rescues are non-profits, so they rely on donations from animal lovers to help them to operate. Your charitable contributions help ensure food, medical care such as spaying/neutering, vaccinations, microchips, and prepare for a future life in a new home.