All 4 Paws Rescue, a Chester County-based nonprofit organization that rescues animals in need, is currently in need of fosters willing to take in cats and dogs that are waiting for their forever homes as well as adopters looking to provide a loving home to a pet.

 "The most important thing for all rescue organizations are fosters and adopters," said Kristen Geddes, founder and director of All 4 Paws. "The more fosters we have, the more lives we can save. Without adopters, we can't keep taking in dogs."

Geddes founded the rescue in May of 2009. "I had a corporate job 15 or 20 years ago and started volunteering at a local rescue and became passionate about it and started All 4 Paws," she explained, noting that since its inception, All 4 Paws Rescue has saved more than 16,000 animals. "We have been busy."

Since the program is foster-based, it is especially in need of people willing to give a temporary home to a cat or dog until a permanent home can be found. "We have a business office for adoption appointments and events, but all of our dogs are placed in foster homes. We do not have a kennel," Geddes noted.

She said that while giving a pet to a permanent adopter can be difficult for a foster, it allows the rescue to continue its work. "I typically take in seniors and special needs dogs, and it's really hard giving them up," Geddes shared. "The only way we can save lives is for fosters to open their hearts and save another (animal). If we keep them all, we can't afford to keep them coming in."

Those who would like to adopt a pet are asked to compete an application and provide veterinary references and personal references. "All of our adoptions take place at our office in Malvern. As long as the adopter is open to coming to our office, we have no (geographic) limit," said Geddes. "We (even) adopted to many states away."

To help find homes for adoptable dogs, the rescue holds meet-and-greet events at various locations. The next scheduled meet-and-greet event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Brandywine Ace Pet & Farm, 1150 Pocopson Road, West Chester. Another meet-and-greet event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pickering Valley Feed & Farm Store, 305 Gordon Drive, Exton.

Meet-and-greets provide an opportunity for people to meet adoptable pets. The events are also open to those who love dogs and want to pet them as well as to those who want to learn about fostering and volunteering opportunities.

"We tend to have (meet-and-greet events) every weekend because we don't have a facility people can visit," said Geddes. "Whatever foster families are available will bring that dog to the event to meet people. We reach out to approved adopters as well as try to attract new people. People can also learn about what we do."

Among the pets currently available for adoption are Josey, a 12-year-old pug and beagle mix who was surrendered to All 4 Paws by a breeding kennel; Archie, an 11-month-old male retriever hound mix; and Andy, a 6-year-old male domestic shorthair cat. Andy's adoption fee has been fully sponsored.

All pets available for adoption by All 4 Paws Rescue are microchipped, spayed or neutered and up to date on vaccinations and preventatives.

For more information and to complete an adoption or foster application, visit http://www.all4pawsrescue.com. More information about the meet-and-greet events is available at http://www.facebook.com/all4pawsrescue. Those with questions may email info@all4pawsrescue.com.