The Humane Society of St. Lucie County has been recognized as one of the nation’s top-performing animal shelters in Best Friends Animal Society’s 2026 Foster Forward Challenge, earning a $10,000 grant for expanding its foster program and helping more pets find homes.
The monthlong challenge encouraged animal shelters across the country to increase the number of pets placed in foster homes. During the challenge, the Humane Society placed 177 animals, including 153 cats and 24 dogs, into foster care, an increase of 154 animals over the same period last year. The shelter also recruited 39 new foster caregivers, and 12 foster families helped their foster pets find permanent homes.
Shannon Glendinning, the Humane Society’s director of development, said the challenge gave the organization an opportunity to improve its foster program while engaging the community…