Animal workers are promoting the idea that you can provide a pet a temporary home, while they wait for a forever home.

Each year Marion County Animal Services receives thousands of animals that are either too young or too sick to be put up for adoption.

The foster care program places an animal in a home until they're ready for adoption.

The number of homes in Marion County that can take in foster pets is very low.  And officials say there are only a few requirements needed to help give animals a second chance.

Elaine DeIorio with Marion County Animal Services said, "They do need to be up to date in their rabies vaccines and county licenses, they must keep the animals they are fostering inside, their home, but other than that, just give them food, water, and plenty of love and animal services will take care of all the medical portion of it so you can bring the animals in for check-ups periodically."

The people at Marion County Animal Services say the foster program is free.