Having to be away from home for months at a time can be a lonely experience. But Home2 Suites, an extended-stay hotel in Biloxi, Mississippi, wants to brighten up their guests’ days by letting shelter dogs stay in a giant kennel smack in the middle of the lobby.

Moreover, guests can not only pet the adorable pooches; they can also choose to foster or even adopt them. Home2 Suites credits its sales director, Teresa Johnston, for the initiative.

The hotel partnered with the Humane Society of South Mississippi for the program, which they called Fostering Hopes. Bianca Janik, relations manager for the shelter, shares that they did some research into the facility when Teresa pitched the idea to them.

After seeing that a lot of guests stay for months at a time, the shelter concluded that it would be a great move to bring a few pooches over there. After all, dog lovers can easily fall in love with the animals within that period.

The program benefits not just the Humane Society but this particular branch of Home2 Suites as well. Teresa wanted to do something that would make their hotel stand out and give back to the community at the same time, and Fostering Hopes helped them achieve both goals.

Guests who are on the fence about adopting a pooch can choose to foster them instead. There’s no commitment, but the canines still get to spend more time away from their kennels.

Those who decide that they want to share their lives with a dog can fill out an application form and pay a fee at Home2 Suites. Of course, the process remains stringent; the Humane Society can choose to deny applications or help the interested adopter choose another canine.

Since the program’s inception in October 2018, 33 dogs have found forever homes. Bianca says both the shelter and the hotel are to thank for Fostering Hope’s success — the Humane Society for choosing calm canines, and Home2 Suites for their excellent judgment.

Both parties are willing to consider expanding Fostering Hope to other branches of Home2 Suites, but the well-being of the dogs must always be the top priority. Watch the program’s first foster dog, Skipper, in the video below:

We’re here at Home2 Suites by Hilton Biloxi North/D'Iberville, MS with Skipper, their new Foster Hope pup!! Skipper will be residing here in his cozy suite until he meets his forever family. HSSM will then continue this partnership and keep bringing them furry friends that need to find their forever homes! Stop by and meet him for yourself!!

Posted by Humane Society of South Mississippi on Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Source: Home2 Suites by Hilton Biloxi North/D’Iberville, MS on Facebook and Humane Society of South Mississippi on Facebook

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