BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Animal Care, the County's official pet adoption and animal welfare agency, continues to confront a critical overcrowding crisis. Students now have the power to help and earn community service hours while doing it. Animal Care is expanding its foster program opportunity to middle and high school students this summer. The agency will provide free pet food and veterinary care. Participating students can earn up to 100 service hours, with bonus hours for helping a pet get adopted. Available pets are listed at PetAdoptions.Broward.org.

"Our shelter is full of love and pets who need homes and second chances," said Doug Brightwell, Broward County Animal Care Director. "We're excited to offer students a meaningful way to give back, build life skills, and help alleviate the pressure on our overcrowded shelter."

As part of the agency's ongoing "911 for Pets" campaign, Animal Care is presenting this "win-win" opportunity for students to earn community service hours while saving animals' lives. As a normal requirement for graduation, students must perform and document community service hours. Animal Care's student foster opportunity allows students to fulfill that requirement. 

Here's how the public can help:

• Adopt: Give a homeless pet a forever home.

• Foster: Provide temporary care - even a few days makes a difference.

• Share this link: PetAdoptions.Broward.org. Amplify our message through your social media and personal networks.