FOHA Invites the Community to Open Their Hearts and Homes
FOHA invites the community to open their hearts and homes to dogs and cats waiting longest for love. Specifically, Friends of Homeless Animals (FOHA) in Aldie, VA, is celebrating Valentine’s Day by shining a spotlight on the shelter’s long-stay pets. They are doing this through a special seasonal campaign called “Foster Forward: Find Your Perfect Match”.
This initiative builds directly on FOHA’s recently launched Foster Forward program. Crucially, this program provides paid opportunities to foster a dog or cat. These incentives help shelter pets transition into temporary homes, and ultimately, into forever families.
“Valentine’s Day is all about love and connection. That is exactly what our long-stay pets are hoping for,” said Alison Maurhoff, Executive Director of FOHA. “Our Foster Forward program has already begun changing lives. Consequently, this campaign invites our community to help these wonderful animals finally find the love they have been waiting for.”
About the Foster Forward Program: A Second Chance at Love
Some pets remain in the shelter for six months or longer. Therefore, thanks to a generous anonymous donor, FOHA supports these animals by offering excellent benefits:
- A $300 monthly stipend per pet for up to two months.
- Free training classes for both pets and their fosters.
- All food, supplies, and medical care covered by FOHA.
- Waived adoption fees if fosters decide to permanently adopt.
- Full guidance from FOHA’s behavior and medical teams.
Fosters commit to providing weekly updates. Additionally, they participate in targeted behavior training. This training is designed to help pets overcome challenges like shyness, anxiety, or reactivity. Indeed, these behaviors often improve dramatically in a stable home environment.
Why This Valentine’s Campaign Matters
FOHA cares for 65–70 dogs, 20 cats, and 20 kittens at any given time. While many find homes quickly, some pets wait much longer. In fact, some wait years for adopters to notice them.
“Time in a home environment is transformative,” Maurhoff said. “They relax and decompress. Furthermore, they show sides of themselves that are hard to see in a busy shelter. It is often the exact moment where a long-stay pet finally gets their happily-ever-after.”
Find Your Match This February
FOHA encourages community members to consider fostering, even if it is only short-term. Doing so is a powerful way to help long-stay pets feel safe, confident, and adoptable.
To learn more or to apply to foster a dog or cat, visit the official Foster Forward program page today.
