how do we foster?
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. This can be a few
days or a few weeks.
Our main concern is to match the dog with the new home in the hope that it will
be a lasting relationship and so we are rather more fussy than other rescue organisations.
Foster parents are expected to assess each dog to see what kind of permanent home
will suit – to do training, grooming, etc. We have to work together if we are to
do the best for the dog. Working as a team means being good communicators and foster
parents get support and training and always have someone to call if they have a
problem. Naturally, all veterinary treatment is carried out by our own vets and paid for by the charity, we also 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 and your chance to help. It issomething
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.