May 29, 2026
By: Sarah A. Neikam, SPCA Albrecht Center Marketing Director

June is a special month in the animal sheltering world because it shines a spotlight on two very impactful ways ordinary people can help homeless pets: fostering and adoption.

Kittens in need of foster care at the SPCA Albrecht Center

National Foster a Pet Month and Adopt a Cat Month may focus on different actions, but they share the same goal – giving more animals a chance to find loving homes.

If you’ve ever thought, “I wish I could help, but I can’t adopt right now,” fostering may be the perfect answer!

National Foster a Pet Month was established through a partnership between Petco Love and BOBS from Skechers to encourage more people to open their homes temporarily to pets in need. Fostering saves lives because it creates space. Every time a foster family takes in a litter of kittens, a recovering dog, or a pet who simply needs a break from the stress of shelter life, it opens a kennel or cage for another animal in need. Foster homes also help pets learn valuable life skills, help shelters gather information about their personalities, and often makes pets more adoptable.

Many people assume fostering requires extensive experience or a major time commitment, but foster opportunities come in all shapes and sizes. Some pets need only a few days of care. Others may stay for a few weeks while they recover from illness, wait for surgery, or search for a permanent family. And most shelters and rescue organizations provide supplies, training, and support along the way. You can even just take a shelter dog out for a single day of fun!

Betsy Jo, Yoshi, Caper, & Marvin are all available for adoption at the SPCA Albrecht Center

June is also Adopt a Cat Month, and anyone who has spent time with a cat understands their unique charm. Cats are playful, affectionate, independent, mischievous, and endlessly entertaining, sometimes all within the same five-minute period. Whether they’re chasing imaginary prey across the living room, squeezing into impossibly small boxes, or supervising your workday from beside or on top of your keyboard, cats have a talent for bringing joy and laughter into our lives.

Choosing to adopt a cat doesn’t just change that cat’s life, it can enrich yours immensely. Studies have shown that interacting with cats can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and provide companionship that improves overall well-being. Plus, let’s be honest: there are few things more relaxing than a content cat purring on your lap.

Whether you’re considering fostering, adopting, volunteering, or simply helping spread the word, June is a wonderful time to get involved. Share photos of adoptable pets on social media. Give fostering a try for a weekend. Consider adding a feline family member to your home. Or sign up to help care for shelter cats while they wait for adoption.

The solution to pet homelessness isn’t one person or one organization. It’s a community of animal lovers working together, one foster home and one adoption at a time.

This June, we invite you to be part of that lifesaving community. Visit us at the SPCA Albrecht Center in person or online to adopt, foster, volunteer, donate or just learn more. Find us at 199 Willow Run Road, Aiken, SC or LetLoveLive.org. We’re open Monday – Saturday from 11am until 4:30pm with extended hours until 6pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays.  🐾

Sarah Neikam is the Marketing Director for the SPCA Albrecht Center in Aiken, SC. She has been with the organization since 2012, holding various roles including Volunteer Coordinator and Director of Operations & HR. A Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA), Sarah is a passionate advocate for animal welfare. She resides in Aiken with her husband and several beloved cats.