November 10 , 2025
By: Jade Garrett – SPCA Albrecht Center Events & Fundraising Manager

Wesley is available for foster or adoption!

The holidays feel different when you have someone waiting for you at home. A warm couch, a little extra company in the kitchen, a quiet moment before the day begins, those small things matter. And right now, they matter a whole lot to the pets at the SPCA Albrecht Center who could use a break from the shelter.

This year, we will continue our annual Home for the Holidays foster program, inviting our community to open their homes, and hearts, to a shelter pet for a short Thanksgiving stay. Pick-up is available on or before November 26th, and pets can return on November 28th. No long-term commitment. No pressure to adopt. Just a chance to give an animal a few days of comfort, routine, and care.

For many of our pets, this isn’t just a fun outing, it’s a reset. We have several dogs and cats who’ve recently come back to us after living in homes. They’re confused, stressed, and trying to find their footing again. Even a couple days in a quiet space can help them relax, regain confidence, and show us who they are when they’re not overwhelmed by the shelter environment.

Yippy is available for foster or adoption!

A short foster stay helps pets:

  • Rest and decompress
  • Remember what it feels like to be part of a home
  • Build trust and reset emotionally
  • Get valuable insight into their behavior outside the shelter (making it easier to help them find the right adoptive home)

Some of the pets who could benefit most from a holiday foster are the ones who recently came back to us after thinking they were home for good. They’re good animals in a tough moment, and a quiet place to unwind could make all the difference.

Wesley – Wesley’s a 2-year-old goofball with one mission in life: chase tennis balls and make you laugh while doing it. He’s sweet, funny, and full of energy. Wesley gets along with other dogs (meet-and-greets encouraged) and even respects cats, which says a lot for a guy who never met a squeaky toy he didn’t love. Coming back to the shelter has been hard on him, and a couple days in a real home could help him reset, recharge, and show off the best version of himself.

Cheez Doodle is available for foster or adoption!

Yippy – Yippy is exactly what he sounds like, happy, outgoing, and ready to celebrate just about anything. He’s a friendly, medium-sized young dog who loves kids, enjoys other dogs, and brings a big personality into every room. After being returned, he’s trying to figure things out again, and a calm holiday foster would give him the chance to settle, relax, and just be someone’s buddy for a few days.

Cheez Doodle – Cheez Doodle is a playful and mischievous FIV-positive cat who keeps life interesting in the best way. He’s got a little spice and a lot of charm. He can be selective with other cats but usually does fine with them, and he loves attention and playtime. Coming back to shelter life has been stressful for him, and a quiet home would help him decompress and remind him what comfort feels like while he waits for his real family.

Not ready to foster? That’s okay. You can still support these pets by sharing the program, donating to help fund their care, or stopping by to say hello. The holidays are busy for everyone, but for a homeless pet, these few days can mean everything. Let’s make sure they know they haven’t been forgotten.

Visit us at 199 Willow Run Rd, Aiken, SC. Fosters can pick up their holiday pet on or before November 26th, and can return to the shelter on November 28th. No obligation to adopt, just a chance to help.

 

 

Jade Garrett is the Events & Fundraising Manager for the SPCA Albrecht Center in Aiken, SC. She is a seasoned marketing professional who found her way to the shelter in the fall of 2023. With a lifelong passion for animal welfare, she is excited to continue making a difference in the lives of homeless animals in our community for many years to come.