Beaumont Animal Care seeks foster families for dogs as temperatures drop

BEAUMONT, Texas — Beaumont Animal Care is urging residents to volunteer as short-term foster families ahead of freezing temperatures expected this weekend, with at least 14 dogs already placed in temporary homes and more expected by Saturday.

The shelter issued an urgent call for fosters as it prepared for the incoming freeze, according to Viviana Lopez, adoption and marketing coordinator at Beaumont Animal Care. Officials hope to at least double the number of animals placed in foster care before the coldest conditions arrive.

“We’ve had 14 dogs leave into foster care,” Lopez said. “We’ve talked to a couple more people that are also planning on coming on Friday and Saturday over the weekend to pick up a foster, so we’re hoping that will at least double by the time the freeze comes next week.”

The shelter relies on emergency fostering during cold weather because some of its kennels are outdoors and lack insulation or heating. “A portion of our kennels are outside,” Lopez said. “They have a cover, but they’re not insulated, they don’t have any heating, and they don’t really have anything to block the wind.”

When animals cannot be placed in foster homes, staff reorganize kennel space to move outdoor dogs inside whenever possible. If indoor kennels are full, dogs with thicker coats may be placed outdoors, while workers add protective measures such as tarps, extra blankets and water.

“It’s almost like Tetris,” Lopez said. “We shuffle everyone around a little bit.”

Lopez said urgent weather appeals often attract first-time foster volunteers. “We have people step up who’ve maybe never fostered before or thought about it,” she said. “A lot of times those do end up becoming adopters.”

Foster families come from a wide range of backgrounds, including families, single residents and retirees. “It’s everyone,” Lopez said. “It’s always interesting getting to see a wide variety of people who are willing to come by and help.”

Animals are expected to return from foster homes once temperatures rise, though fosters may be asked to keep pets longer if cold conditions persist. The shelter said the adoption process is straightforward for those who decide to keep their foster pets permanently, with fees covering spay or neuter surgery, microchipping, vaccines, flea prevention and deworming.

The shelter faces ongoing challenges during extreme temperatures, particularly limited indoor kennel space. “We wish the entire shelter had indoor kennels that has heating and cooling,” Lopez said. “It would definitely be beneficial to have more kennels put out that are maybe covered and fully insulated.”

Residents interested in becoming short-term fosters can visit the shelter at 1884 Pine St. in Beaumont during scheduled pickup hours through Saturday. Officials encouraged anyone able to help to consider fostering and reminded pet owners to bring animals indoors when possible during freezing weather.