SPCA seeks holiday hosts for pets starting Dec. 20-23

The Brandywine Valley SPCA is looking for families to host shelter pets for holiday sleepovers.

The sleepovers are a short-term foster arrangement in which a dog or cat currently available for adoption at one of the BVSPCA shelters stays with a family for a duration of a few days up to a week.

“This is a great opportunity for families staying home over the holidays to give a homeless dog or cat a much-needed break from the shelter,” said Walt Fenstermacher, BVSPCA senior director of operations. “Sleepovers have been shown to reduce stress for shelter animals, and we also learn more about the pet’s personality in a more natural environment.”

This is the second year the BVSPCA is offering holiday sleepovers. Last year’s pilot program sleepovers resulted in more than 30 homeless pets spending the holidays with a family. The BVSPCA hopes to exceed that number this year.

The BVSPCA offers two sleepover options. For the Santa Sleepover, shelter pets may be picked up between Friday, Dec. 20 and Monday, Dec. 23, and returned to the shelter between Thursday, Dec. 26, and Monday, Dec. 30. 

For the Winter Break option, shelter pets may be picked up between Dec. 20 and 23, and returned to the shelter between Thursday, Jan. 2, and Sunday, Jan. 5.

For more information for families interested in hosting a shelter pet for a sleepover, go to www.bvspca.org/sleepover. The BVSPCA will work with each family to match the shelter pet to a particular home’s situation when it comes to factors such as other animals and children.