2 Dec 2025
This Christmas, CANA calls on Australians to foster a pet and ease the pressure
This Christmas, national animal welfare charity and advocacy group Companion Animal Network Australia (Australia CAN or CANA) is urging Australians to open their homes to a foster pet – even for a short time – to help relieve the seasonal pressure faced by shelters and rescues across the country.
CANA’s member organisations include both traditional shelters and foster-based rescue groups who rely on volunteer carers to provide day-to-day care for animals in need.
December is one of the busiest periods of the year for companion animal welfare organisations. More pets need urgent care, while volunteer availability drops and adoption interest slows as families focus on Christmas plans. With kitten season peaking at the same time, rescue groups are caring for large numbers of young, vulnerable animals who need calm home environments rather than crowded facilities.
“Fostering is a simple but powerful way to change a pet’s life,” says CANA CEO Trish Ennis. “Foster homes are a preferred environment to keeping animals in a shelter, offering consistency and security that some animals have never had. And the experience is deeply rewarding for carers, too!”
Why foster homes are urgently needed
CANA’s latest 2024–2025 Impact Report reveals the growing pressures facing shelters and their foster networks:
Adoptions fell by 17% this year, despite fewer animals entering shelters. “This means more animals are staying in care for longer, placing ongoing pressure on shelters, staff and volunteer foster networks,” Ms Ennis said.
Surrenders dropped by only 6%, remaining almost unchanged from last year. “Families continue to struggle with rental challenges, rising living costs and changes in personal circumstances,” said Ms Ennis.
More than half of the cats entering CANA member organisations are under six months old, intensifying the demand created by kitten season. “Fostering a litter, or even a single kitten, over Christmas can dramatically reduce pressure on rescue services,” said Ms Ennis.
61% of dogs arrive as strays, many needing calm, temporary homes until they can be reunited or adopted. “The holiday period often brings a wave of lost or displaced dogs. Foster care helps provide stability for these pets at a time when they are at their most vulnerable,” said Trish.
With cost-of-living pressures discouraging many families from adopting right now, Ms Ennis said foster carers have never been more important.
“Fostering offers a meaningful way to help without the long-term financial commitment of adoption,” she said. “With food, veterinary care and ongoing support provided by CANA member organisations, fostering is accessible for most households. Even short-term or holiday placements, whether a week, a weekend or just overnight, can make a significant difference to a pet and the rescue supporting them.”
Can’t foster? You can still help
If fostering isn’t possible this year, Australians can still make a vital difference by donating to CANA to help member agencies manage the seasonal surge in animals needing care.
“For those unable to foster a pet, a donation to CANA helps fund the vital work of our member organisation, supporting them with essentials like food, veterinary treatment and emergency care during the busiest time of year,” said Ms Ennis.
“Together, we can give vulnerable cats and dogs the comfort and compassion they deserve this festive season.”
For more information about fostering or wish to make a monetary contribution to support our agencies during this busy season, please visit https://australiacan.org.au/foster-a-pet-the-benefits/
If you are considering fostering a pet, contact your local animal shelter or rescue organisation or shelter today.
Links to CANA member foster programs:
Dogs’ Homes of Tasmania (TAS)
Scruffer Lovers (SA)
Ginger Ninja Rescue (SA)
Why foster a pet this Christmas?
Fostering is a compassionate act. Thousands of pets rely on foster homes each year.
Pets benefit enormously from time outside the shelter environment.
If you've recently lost a pet, fostering offers companionship without long-term commitment.
For first-time pet households, fostering is a great way to explore what pet ownership looks like.
For families with existing pets, fostering can help animals become socialised and confident.
Pet food, medication and vet care are covered by CANA member organisations.
About Companion Animal Network Australia (Australia CAN or CANA)
Companion Animal Network Australia (Australia CAN or CANA) is a registered charity representing the companion animal welfare work of our member agencies across the country, including Animal Welfare League QLD, Lort Smith (VIC), Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Dogs’ Homes of Tasmania and Saving Animals From Euthanasia Inc (WA). Together, our members provide rescue, shelter, re-homing, fostering, health care and enrichment services to more than 50,000 animals every year. Through national campaigns, partnerships and initiatives, we celebrate the human-animal bond and promote responsible pet ownership. We use our national voice to campaign for the humane treatment of all companion animals and we rally support for programs that deliver high welfare standards. We also lobby governments to drive change and preserve the bond between humans and their animals. Australia CAN celebrates the human-animal bond and promotes responsible pet ownership through national campaigns, partnerships and initiatives, including the Rent with Pets and Pets in Aged Care programs. To discover more, visit www.australiacan.org.au
Top image: Kate O'Leary and 'foster failure' Potato in SA