Family, Fur & Fun Festival to be held Saturday in Mountain’s Edge

Have you ever thought about becoming a foster parent for an animal? You're not alone if you haven't, but it's an easy and important way to help abused, abandoned and neglected animals.

"Foster parents and other volunteers are invaluable to animal rescue groups and shelters in their mission to save lives," said Christy Stevens, chairperson of the Family, Fur & Fun Festival, the free event to be held today at Exploration Park in Mountain's Edge. "By caring for an animal until a forever home can be found, they help open up limited available space for other animals in need. Foster volunteers truly make an impact in the lives of rescued animals by opening the door to a welcoming and loving home, thereby making it less stressful and less likely for pets to develop fear or anxiety-related problems."

A crucial aspect of being a foster family is spending time with animals to help them overcome physical or emotional challenges, including building trust toward humans for those coming from abusive situations. Exposing animals to kids or other pets also helps them become better socialized and widens the range of potential adopters.

"Having foster families increases the chances of a forever home for rescued animals as their true nature and temperament is better assessed in a home environment," said Stevens, who is also president and co-founder of the nonprofit Hearts Alive Village, which strives to reduce the number of animals lost to the shelter system though owner retention, outreach and educational efforts in underserved areas. "This helps shelters communicate with potential adopters to find a home that is the best fit for a pet."

Given the impact fostering an animal can make, all associated costs are usually covered by the shelter and rescue organization, including food, supplies, crates, veterinary care and sometimes training.

"Foster families are unselfish, caring, loving and patient people who open their hearts and homes to animals in need," Stevens said. "Some even end up adopting their foster pets."

She added volunteers also are needed at shelters.

Today's Family, Fur & Fun Festival is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free to attend for the whole family and well-behaved, leashed four-legged friends. It includes a variety of educational, interactive and service booths and demonstrations; hands-on activities for children to experience pets; pet adoption; arts and crafts; raffle with great prizes; agility course for pets and their owners; the Halloween Pet Costume Contest; and food and refreshments. There also will be agility and fly ball demonstrations, and the USA Sevens Rugby Club will conduct demonstrative matches with student athletes.

Exploration Park is at 9600 S. Buffalo Drive, south of Blue Diamond Road and the Mountain's Edge entrance. Attendees are invited to explore the fast-selling 3,500-acre master-planned community and enjoy the 80-acre park, which includes a Western-theme village, water play area, picnic areas, amphitheater, playgrounds and the 2,846-foot-tall Exploration Peak with panoramic views of the Las Vegas Valley and hiking, biking and walking trails.

To learn more about fostering opportunities, contact info@havlv.com. For general event information, visit www.familyfurandfun.com or www.mountainsedge.com.