As Valentine’s Day approaches, Maricopa County Animal Care & Control (MCACC) is offering a unique opportunity for residents to show their love for animals. The “Be Mine…Temporarily” foster event, commencing on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, invites locals to welcome a shelter dog into their homes for the holiday weekend.
“After seeing the success of previous foster events, we thought hosting our first-ever Be Mine…Temporarily foster event would be a fun way to get more dogs into homes! Whether you’re valentine-less or you and your valentine have some extra love to give this February, MCACC has plenty of dogs that could use some extra love this Valentine’s Day weekend,” expressed Communications Supervisor Kim Powell. “This is a great opportunity for people who can’t commit to a long-term pet but still want to help a shelter dog.”
Participants can visit either of the MCACC shelter locations from February 11 through February 13 to pick up their “Paw-lentine,” giving the dog a chance to enjoy a warm and loving environment over the weekend. The dogs can be returned on Monday, February 16, by appointment, or fosters can choose to care for them until they find their permanent home.
Nicole Berry, Alternative Placement Supervisor, highlighted the benefits of fostering: “Research consistently shows that dogs in foster care find their forever homes much more quickly than those in shelters. Many of the dogs we take in come to us as strays, so we often have little understanding of their personalities or behaviors. Foster care changes that—it gives dogs the time they need to relax, socialize, and reveal their true nature. It also allows fosters to share authentic photos and stories, helping potential adopters picture the dog in their own home. Even a short commitment, like a Valentine’s Day weekend, offers a refreshing break from shelter life and provides valuable insights that can lead to a perfect adoption match.”
To participate, potential fosters must complete a foster application prior to visiting the shelter, ensuring a seamless process in selecting and picking up their Paw-lentine. After submitting the application, they will receive an email to schedule a pick-up time between 1pm-6pm at either location. Scheduled appointments are recommended to guarantee a smooth experience, as walk-ins may not always be accommodated.
The dogs available for fostering are at least 6 months old, altered, and weigh 35 lbs or more. A selection binder of these eligible Paw-lentines will be accessible in the shelter lobbies, and fosters will receive a goodie bag to pamper their new furry friend.
Click here to apply to be a foster.
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