ARL needs families and individuals to welcome dogs, cats, kittens

The Berks County Animal Rescue League has called for more foster families and individuals to welcome animals from their shelter, especially kittens.

The ARL has 258 animals at the Cumru Township shelter that are still waiting for homes, according to a statement released Tuesday by Jose Joel Delgado-Rivera, the shelter’s communications manager.

To be a foster family, volunteers must be at least 18 years old and available to bring the animal to the scheduled vaccinations and medical appointments at the shelter.

The ARL will provide training, supplies and medical care, so host families only need to provide a safe, clean and caring environment for as long as they are available to help, according to the release.

“There is a need to find foster families for all types of animals, so that we can free up space in the shelter to continue helping incoming animals,” said Paige Seitz, Family Supervisor of ARL welcome, in the press release. “Bottle-fed kittens particularly benefit from foster homes, as these kittens cannot be kept at the shelter due to their susceptibility to disease and their need for more convenient care. A foster home gives them the security and comfort they need to grow and become lifelong companions.

For more information or to register for the program, visit www.berksarl.org/foster or call the shelter at 610-373-8830, ext. 320.