Huntsville Animal Services urges residents to consider fostering as shelter reaches critical capacity

Published on June 30, 2025

Huntsville Animal Services is asking the community to help as the shelter reaches critical capacity. Every kennel is full, primarily with large dogs who have been waiting weeks, some even longer, to find their forever home.

Despite the excellent work of caring staff, the shelter is overwhelmed, and the dogs are feeling the effects. They’re stressed, under-stimulated and in urgent need of love, care and individualized attention that the shelter environment simply can’t provide.

“Our large dogs are suffering the most right now,” said John Fischer, Director of Huntsville Animal Services. “They’re kind, smart and loyal animals, but they’re getting overlooked because they don’t stand out in a noisy kennel. Even just a few days in a home can help them decompress, shine and give us a better picture of who they are.”

Animal Services is asking for help from residents in the following ways:

• Foster to Rehome: Take a dog in and help match them with a forever family. The average foster duration is a couple of weeks.
• Foster to Adopt: Try it out before committing. Foster a dog for a few days to two weeks to see if they are the right fit for your family.
• Sleepovers: Take a dog home for a day or night to give them a break and much-needed rest. This is especially important as the Fourth of July holiday approaches, and fireworks can cause immense stress.

To become a foster, residents must live in Madison County, be 19 or older and complete a foster application. Potential fosters can then visit the shelter to find a dog that matches their home and lifestyle.

A full list of available dogs for adoption and fostering can be found here.

Animal Services is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The shelter will be closed on Friday, July 4, for the Independence Day holiday. Call 256-883-3782, visit HuntsvilleAL.gov/Animal, or visit their Facebook page to learn more.

“Our community has always stepped up when it mattered most,” Fischer added. “We’re at one of those moments now. Please consider fostering or adopting. Our dogs are counting on you.”