Source: WESH 2 News of Orlando

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. –

A humane society near New Smyrna Beach is hoping some people will be able to open their homes this holiday season to some four-legged friends in need of a foster family.

“We’d love to see all these cages emptied for the four days,” said Vicky Fischer, of the Southeast Volusia Humane Society. “That would be wonderful.”

The Southeast Volusia Humane Society looks festive, but it’s still sad with dozens of homeless cats and dogs in confined spaces. That’s why the staff came up with “Home for the Holidays,” an effort to get every animal in a foster home for four days from Dec. 22 to Dec. 26.

“A lot of them do get depressed and down,” Fischer said. “They know something is going on, and we just thought it would be a great way to celebrate the holidays for the animals.”

Staff members at the humane society will provide everything for the foster families — including a crate, food, leash collar and litter box.

The animals get lots of love and attention from workers and volunteers, but it’s not home. Even for a brief time, advocates said they’re hoping that the community will foster the furry friends.

“It brings awareness to the shelter and the animals that are here, and gives people the opportunity to take a dog or cat home for the holidays,” Fischer said.

The shelter team hopes that foster families fall in love and move to adopt after Christmas. At the very least, the team hopes to create permanent foster homes with the holiday program because some cats and dogs don’t thrive in kennels.

Staffers said the animals will jump at the chance for a holiday break.

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