Orange County Animal Services
2769 Conroy Rd., Orlando, FL 32839
Contact: Kathleen Kennedy, (407) 254-9249

For Immediate Release

Agency Searches for New Foster Parents during Season of Overpopulation

ORLANDO, Fla.—May 27, 2009—Orphaned kittens, homeless puppies, sick and injured animals—Orange County Animal Services receives hundreds of these types of pets every week, and the agency is focused on helping as many as it can with its “Angels Wanted” campaign, which is aimed at recruiting new foster parents for the community’s most helpless animals.

“Kitten season is the time of year when cats give birth, flooding Animal Services with litters of homeless cats, and it’s in full swing right now,” said Katie Lockett, Manager for Orange County Animal Services. “We currently have more than 300 homeless cats at our shelter. Many of them are pregnant, nursing or orphaned young, and most will not survive without the loving assistance provided by a foster home.”

Animal Services also places puppies and other pets requiring special care in its Foster Care Program until they are ready for adoption. The program has seen great success; in fact, 99 percent of animals that were returned healthy from foster care were successfully adopted or rescued during the last fiscal year. 

“During this time of year, we receive more than 2,000 animals each month. We desperately want to save some of the most vulnerable, and we hope the community will respond to our plea for help,” said Lockett.

Orientation sessions are being held regularly for those interested in fostering. Orange County residents are welcome to participate. For more information about Animal Services’ Foster Care Program, please call 407-254-9140 or visit www.ocfl.net/foster. 

About Orange County Animal Services
Orange County Animal Services is one of Central Florida’s largest pet rescue and adoption centers. Last year, Animal Services received more than 24,000 animals at its shelter. For 40 years, the agency’s mission has been to protect pets and people in Orange County through courteous enforcement of the Orange County Code. Its vision is to give abandoned and neglected pets a second chance to live long, healthy lives in safe, loving homes.

###