San Mateo launches pet foster program
San Mateo County rolled out a foster‑care program that temporarily houses pets while their owners receive medical or mental‑health treatment, helping families keep animals during crises (localnewsmatters.org). The initiative is already being cited as a model to prevent pet relinquishment during short‑term care (localnewsmatters.org).
San Mateo County officially launched the Foster Wellness Program on March 12, 2026 to provide temporary homes for pets while owners receive inpatient mental‑health, substance‑use or medical treatment. (smcgov.org) County Health’s Animal Control and Licensing is running the placement process, including screening volunteers, inspecting foster homes, coordinating supplies and arranging veterinary support. (smcgov.org) Behavioral Health and Recovery Services director Dr. Jei Africa and Animal Control chief Lori Morton‑Feazell are named in the county release explaining the program’s goal of removing a barrier that often keeps eligible clients from accepting inpatient care. (smcgov.org) The county is actively recruiting volunteer foster caregivers across San Mateo, San Francisco, Alameda and Santa Clara counties and asks interested volunteers to contact fosteringwellness@smcgov.org. (smcgov.org) San Mateo County’s animal control program contracts with the Peninsula Humane Society for shelter and enforcement services, and the new foster initiative will also use local dog walkers and boarding kennels when volunteer homes are not immediately available. (smchealth.org) (smcgov.org) The county spotlighted a cat named “Miss Green Eyes” as an early placement, including caregiver remarks about the animal’s quick adjustment to a foster home. (smcgov.org) Regional outlets including SFGate reported on the rollout, and local coverage has framed the Foster Wellness Program as an emerging model to prevent short‑term pet relinquishment while owners obtain treatment. (sfgate.com) (localnewsmatters.org)
