The Winnipeg Humane Society (WHS) says they're seeing a big increase in animals going into foster homes.

There is a 22% increase in animals at the WHS being sent to foster homes for temporary care. When animals go to a new temporary home, the WHS provides all animals with the Survival Packs they need to help foster their growth and health, but it comes at a cost.

The rise in animals sent to foster is connected to the WHS’s goal of giving every animal a fair chance of being adopted through the Million Cat Challenge. When there is no room at the shelter, the WHS relies on foster homes to provide animals with the support and love needed to prevent euthanizing an animal due to lack of space. It also creates room at the shelter to care for animals in need of immediate medical assistance.

“Foster families provide essential hope to our staff and volunteers. They play an important role in providing an animal with the chance needed to find a forever home,” says Kyle Jahns, WHS Communications Coordinator. “And we make sure every foster family is fully equipped with a survival pack that allows a pet to thrive.”

Each animal sent to foster is equipped with a survival pack that includes food, medical supplies, and essentials that each animal needs.

The WHS found temporary foster homes for 1,353 animals from January to October 2017, which is 247 animals more than the same time in 2016. This year’s total already surpasses the 1,331 fostered animals in 2016.

In 2017 the WHS spent over $40,000 on survival packs. All money raised on Giving Tuesday will go towards purchasing Survival Packs for foster animals.