An animal fostering program is in place in Portage.

City Council approved a request by the Portage Animal Welfare Society to operate the service.

The City requires foster families to obtain a temporary license, but is waiving the fees, as well as any pound costs. Adoptive families are required to pay for their license.

PAWS' Director of Public Relations, Karla Kirkwood, notes the organization is overjoyed by the decision. She's also pleased their first adoption has already gone through, with a dog going to a home in the country.

Kirkwood points out Council's decision eliminates a significant financial burden from PAWS, so they have more to care for animals.

Councillor Orville Wagner is pleased with the plan -- he says it allows for animal control as well as adoption.