Become a foster carer

 

Fostering requires looking after a dog as if it were your own, whilst trying not to fall in love with it, for as long as it takes to find a home. Foster parents are a vital part of our team and enormously important in the quest to find the right home.

This can be from a few days or weeks, to even a few months. Our main concern is to match the dog with the new home in the hope that it will be a lasting relationship. Foster parents are expected to assess each dog to see what kind of permanent home will suit. Foster parents get support and always have someone to call if they have a problem. Naturally, all veterinary treatment is carried out by our own vets and we supply equipment and food.

Taking in a rescue dog is not easy but if you are an animal lover you will find it very rewarding to know that you have helped by offering a safe, comfortable haven after a very traumatic time. If you adopt you can only help one or two dogs but if you foster you can help hundreds. This is real rescue work –something that a lot of people go gooey about when its on television but never actually do anything to help.

Each case requires patience, calm and gentle handling for as long as it takes to settle the dog and gain his trust. He will not come with a “good behaviour” certificate or an “I will sleep all night” promise and the first few days you will need to be around him all the time to reassure him. You must be patient, never shout nor smack, gentle and loving if you really are to help.