Battersea Appeals for Foster Carers
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is appealing to dog-lovers to provide short-term fostering for some of its most sensitive dogs, as it prepares for a surge in the number of dogs arriving at its gates.
Traditionally the number of unwanted dogs rises in March, which Battersea believes is fuelled by dogs bought three months earlier as Christmas presents.
We are expecting this March to be very busy. Our team work incredibly hard to give each dog the care they need, but many of our dogs simply don't enjoy life in kennels. That's where our foster carers step in, and help change the dog's life by giving it one-to-one love and attention in a home environment.
Fostering can be from a few nights to several months and it can transform a dog's behaviour. It can make them happier and more relaxed, which makes it easier for us to find them a new home.
Fosterers play a vital role at Battersea, and we are so grateful for their help. At the moment we have a team of 79 fosterers who help care for dogs in need, but they can only foster at certain times, so with our numbers set to rise we urgently need more help. It takes a lot to be a fosterer, and it can be hard work, but it is also incredibly rewarding.
Carly Whyborn, Volunteer Manager
One breed which really benefits from fostering is the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
As Staffies love being with people they often find kennel life stressful, so short term fostering provides them with a much-needed break.
Many of the dogs who need fostering are older or more sensitive, as well as those recovering from an operation or illness. While the ultimate aim is to find them a new home, fostering provides a very welcome break until a new owner arrives. It also gives Battersea important information on how the dog will behave in a normal home environment.
Fostering often suits people who are unable to own their own dog, either for financial or lifestyle reasons.
Ruth Brauer and her partner Paul Hitchen from Putney fostered Jessie, a one year old Staffie, in January. Ruth says fostering is ideal for those who yearn for a dog in their life, but can't own one.
She adds:
We both love dogs but can't own one as we are going travelling next year, so fostering suits us perfectly. If you are only living somewhere temporarily or can't commit to owning a dog, fostering is ideal. The most rewarding thing about fostering was how happy and proud we felt to be looking after a Battersea dog. Hopefully Jessie really benefited from being fostered as Battersea staff now know how she behaves at home, which will help them find her a new owner.
Hollie Oppe from Putney has been fostering dogs since April 2010, and is now caring for Charlie the Staffie, who is her 21st foster dog. She is also unable to own her own dog, but fostering enables her to have a dog in her life.
She explains:
Charlie is a gorgeous boy but he has been at Battersea for nearly 500 days, making him their longest-standing resident. He's being fostered to give him a break from kennels, and he's a real doggy gentleman. He is a very polite, loving dog and he really shines at home. I would definitely recommend fostering, it’s a fantastic experience.
Anyone interested in fostering a Battersea dog can visit www.battersea.org.uk/fostering.
Applicants will need to fill in an online form by 20 March 2012, before attending an information day, receiving a home visit, and attending a training session.