With a chocolate Labrador retriever named Faith; three Jack Russell terriers named Molly, Charles, and Belle; and two Cairn terriers named Annie and May, one might think the Pipkin family already had a full house. But Karen Pipkin says there is always room for one or two more dogs in her home. But instead of adopting, her family opens their home to fostering shelter pets.

As one of the first volunteers to join Animal Care Services' Guardian Angel program, Pipkin's family already has fostered several dogs in her home. When I spoke to Pipkin, she had two Chihuahuas from ACS, White Fang and Reyna. "It's great when homeless pets can be with a family," says Pipkin. "It socializes them more and offers insights into their personalities."

What she learns about the dogs comes in handy for potential adopters, too. As a Guardian Angel, she takes foster dogs, like White Fang and Reyna, for weekly adoption events and chats with potential adopters about how they might fit into their home. "White Fang is great with kids," says Pipkin. "While Reyna is smart, loyal and wants to please. She picked up ‘sit' and ‘lay down' on the very first try."

Being a Guardian Angel also helps ACS create space in their shelter, which means the city euthanizes fewer animals and can accept more homeless pets. "The city wants to become a no-kill community and by fostering, I feel like we're doing our part in helping them reach that goal," says Pipkin. "If you love animals, it's a great way to help."

As a Guardian Angel, Pipkin provides a temporary home for young, old, injured, sick, abused or under-socialized dogs, giving them a chance to grow or heal before finding new homes. And, she notes, you don't have to be a Guardian Angel year-round. "Sometimes, I take a break in between dogs," she says. "Sometimes I wait until my sons Kyle and Chase are home from college because they love to care for the dogs, too."

Right now, 60 families are lending their support to ACS's Guardian Angel program — a significant bump in support since the first of the year. To significantly reduce euthanasias, though, ACS wants to recruit 300 Guardian Angel families for the program. If you have the heart and home to care for one of the shelter's orphaned pets, your generosity will be rewarded with the good feeling that comes when you know you have saved a life. Call (210) 207-6669 for more information on how to earn your wings.

How you train a cat

This morning, Miss Kitty positioned herself about six inches from my face and started wailing persistently and with increased volume. I eventually sat up. She then jumped off the bed and tried to coax me to follow her downstairs.

"What does she want?" my husband asked. "It's not like you feed her in the morning."

Turns out I sort of do. Three weeks ago, I began giving Miss Kitty a spoonful of wet food, both as a treat and as a way of keeping her from trying to get my dog Maggie's food. She has grown used to this custom in a short period of time and had no intention of letting me shirk my duties by sleeping. And this, my friends, is how you train a cat.

Send your pet stories and questions to Cathy M. Rosenthal, c/o Features Department, San Antonio Express-News, P.O. Box 2171, San Antonio, TX 78297-2171, or cathy@petpundit.com. Cathy's advice column runs every Sunday. You can read her blog, Animals Matter, at www.mysanantonio.com.