When someone fosters a pet, they open their home and heart, providing a safe space until the pet is ready for its forever family. This not only offers a safe environment for the animal but also contributes to the search for a stable, permanent home for the pet. 

Adopting a dog can be a significant commitment for a college student, but despite busy schedules, fostering offers a way for students to connect with animals in an efficient, doable way.

“There’s a lot of students that miss their dogs back home,” said Amber Begley, administrative office professional at Santa Barbara County Animal Services. 

Fostering, or taking dogs on day trips through Santa Barbara County shelters, offers a fulfilling way to enjoy the companionship of an animal without the long-term commitment of adoption. 

“We’ll do our best to match make, but they’re still shelter dogs…be ready to see some energy,” Shelter supervisor Dustin Fujikawa said.

If someone wishes to foster a pet, the process begins with the kennel staff asking the prospective foster caregiver a few questions to understand their daily plans. Whether it’s a stroll on the beach or a hike, each dog has unique abilities and preferences, making it important to match them with activities they can enjoy.

After finding the right fit for someone who is looking to foster, the process is simple. The prospective caregiver must sign two short forms and provide valid identification. The shelter supplies all necessary items, including a leash, food, and toys.

While fostering is a significant commitment, potential caregivers can first take the dog for a walk or a day trip to see how they adjust outside the shelter.

If one is not looking to foster but wants to hang out with dogs, day trips are a great option. Even a 30-minute walk benefits the shelter dogs. Taking the dogs on day trips increases their exposure to the public, allowing them to socialize and meet new people while wearing “Adopt Me” leashes. According to Fujikawa, this has led to successful adoptions on multiple occasions.

“We’ve had a dog go out with a date on a day foster, and right when they came back, a person who had seen them out came in and said, ‘I want to adopt that dog,’” Begley said.

Day trips also give the shelter valuable insights into each dog’s behavior. After the outing, the person who fostered the dog completes a brief questionnaire, offering details about the dog’s personality and habits. This information helps the shelter match the dog more accurately with potential adopters based on preferences and needs.

Students seeking philanthropy or volunteer hours often come to the shelter to earn credit for the organizations they are a part of. This opportunity helps the students fulfill certain requirements and supports the shelter’s mission of getting the dogs out of the shelter. 

“We’re doing volunteer hours, and this was the best option,” UCSB student Madi Nielsen said.

Nielsen recently fostered a dog who then got adopted. She came back to take a dog on a day trip, which also doubles as volunteer credits for one of her courses at UCSB. She expressed an appreciation for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these shelter animals while fulfilling her academic requirements. 

If temporarily housing a dog isn’t an option, volunteering to take dogs for walks or “playtime” at Santa Barbara Animal Services is an alternative for those who simply want to be in the presence of these animals.

With numerous dogs arriving and leaving the shelter each day, students coming in and offering to take the dogs outside allows them to experience the world beyond their kennel.

Fostering, and day trips both provide these dogs with exposure beyond the walls of the shelter all while increasing their chances of finding a forever home.

“Every person deserves to have their pet,” Begley said.