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LITTLETON, Colo. (KDVR) — Fostering a cat, dog, ferret or even a baby goat is a rewarding and essential way to help a homeless pet find a good home.

The Humane Society of the South Platte Valley and the Until They’re Home rescue are both looking for new folks to foster animals in need.

Foster homes provide a place for an injured or sick animal to recover, be a calm place for a pregnant or nursing animal to have her litter or be a home for abandoned puppies and kittens that are too young to be on their own. It’s also a great place for fearful and shy animals to build confidence and learn to trust people.

Here’s two great special needs dogs up for adoption at the Humane Society of the South Platte Valley. Both have benefitted from wonderful foster homes.

Peanut and Mary are available for foster or adoption at the Humane Society of the South Platte Valley

Peanut is a sweet, happy and handsome 3-year-old German Shepard Dog and Great Pyrenees mix who gets with most other dogs, but is looking for a home with no cats or small children. This beautiful dog has been waiting months for a foster or adoptive home.

Mary is a beautiful 3.5 -year-old German Shepard Dog mix with who is very shy and takes awhile to trust new people and places. She is looking for a home with no other dogs or small children. This beautiful dog has been waiting months for a foster or adoptive home.

Animals from puppy and kitten mills, strays and animals always kept outside really benefit by becoming accustomed to life in a home.

A foster home gives animals a chance to adapt to unfamiliar sounds like vacuum cleaners, learn how to use stairs, use a litter box and get one-on-one attention from people.

Until They’re Home helps shelters find fosters or foster-to-adopt homes. Here are some great animals available:

Gynx, Penelop and Nova (Credit: Until They’re Home)

Gynx, Penelop, Nova and many other animals are available. Foster and adopters receive training support through Until They’re Home.

Additional local animal rescues looking for foster homes:

Foothills Animals Shelter, Colorado Saint Bernard Rescue, Maxfund, Ferret Dreams Rescue and Adoption, Animal Friends Alliance, Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue, PawsCo, Denver Animal Shelter, Colorado Feline Foster Rescue, Soul Dog Rescue, Sloppy Kisses Animal Rescue, Animal Rescue of the Rockies, Rezdawg Rescue, Life Is Better Rescue, 4 Paws 4 Life Rescue and Boarding, Moms and Mutts Colorado Rescue for Pregnant & Nursing Dogs, Dumb Friends League, Cat Care Society, Black Forest Animal Sanctuary , Douglas County Canine Rescue, and Colorado Puppy Rescue