San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter faces code red, in need of adopters and fosters

By Danielle De Lucia

Chief Editor of News

SAN MARCOS — The San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter is currently at a code red. That means they are at capacity and need adopters or fosters for animals.

Foster Program

The main goal of fostering animals is to advocate for them to help find an adopter.

“The foster program is usually to take in dogs who are heartworm-positive and are undergoing treatment,” said Abbrielle Colmenero, a volunteer at SMTX Animal Shelter. “This is for the dogs to be in an environment that isn’t going to stress them out. Since going through this treatment is a lot for them.”

Other dogs that are suitable for the foster program according to the SMTX animal shelter website:

• Animals that are very stressed and need a break from the shelter
• Animals that are shy/shutdown and need socialization in the home
• Animals with behavioral needs
• Animals that are too young to be adopted
• Animals that are bottle-feeding and need additional care
• Senior pets

“A foster can last anywhere from one month to two months,” said Colmenero.

Submit a foster application from the SMTX Animal Shelter website to join the program. Then, Give Pulse will send a message to you with the next steps to match you with a foster in need!

Dogs Day Out Program

The San Marcos Animal Shelter Dog’s Day Out Program (DDO) is another option for helping. The DDO is fostering a dog for the day, like a field trip. That assists the dogs to destress from the loud shelter environment and gives them enrichment of new smells and places. For more information about the DDO click here.

Volunteering

The departments available for volunteering are Cat and Dog Care, Enrichment, Vet Services, Adoption Counselor and Photography and Biography. These are great opportunities for anyone interested in hands-on work or someone looking to have a career with animals.

Here is some information about what each department focuses on from the volunteer work page:

• Cat care is “to help groom, socialize, and give affection to our cats!”
• Dog care is to get them out of their kennels for walks or playtime in the yard.
• Enrichment focuses on a better quality of life for the dogs. “This gives them something to do in their kennel that also relaxes them.” An example of work done in this department is “making those kongs and filling them with peanut butter,” said Colmenero.
• Vet services happen on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – veterinarians need help in the vet suite. “You could help the animals recover from their surgery, help administer medications and help with the clean up after a large surgery day.”
• An adoption counselor assists the shelter technicians with help in the lobby. Also, “going through applications, answering phones, responding to adoption inquiries and making adoption folders for each animal to go home with.”
• Photography and biography volunteer opportunities are perfect for anyone who likes taking photos. Images of the animals and bios help create their kennel cards, website and social media pages.

First, fill out an application. “Then you have to attend an orientation… you’re then able to go in any day of the week except Sunday, and you able to help out in whichever apartment you choose,” said Colmenero. “After a certain amount of hours, you get a free t-shirt, so that’s pretty cool.”

Orientation is about an hour to an hour and a half. Also, the “orientation is hands-on with the animals,” said the SMTX animal shelter website.

Requirements to volunteer:

• You must be 18 years or older to volunteer
• There are no minimum hour requirements, but expect “to volunteer at least one day a month to stay involved with our community and make the greatest positive impact possible,” according to the SMTX animal shelter website.
• More information on the website 

Donations

Donations are always needed and greatly appreciated; if interested, click here for donation lists.

Adopting

Finding forever homes for animals is the main goal. If interested in adopting, email Animal Adoptions or call 512-805-2657 when the shelter is open. Individuals can also speed up the adoption process by filling out an application here. Adoptions are all first come in person.