When you talk about fostering a dog so many people immediately say “oh I couldn’t do that! I’d want to keep them all”. We really need foster people, because you CAN do it and you will find out how VERY rewarding it is when you have looked after a dog and personally helped find it’s perfect ‘forever home’.
You do in all honesty often want to keep them but the satisfaction in being able to help these dogs is so rewarding. As soon as one dog has a home there is always another in desperate need! We need fosterers to take in the dogs and give them care, love and guidance that some dogs may never have experienced before. They may need basic training and some but by no means all, may have problems that will need addressing. They may need housetraining and introducing to household routines, noises, objects etc. Some are just scared lost dogs who were once somebody’s beloved pet but the pound were about to put them to sleep as they had not been claimed.
We have every type of dog come in looking for a foster and a permanent home. Very young puppies, lively young dogs, elderly, frail dogs – and everything in between. Some are from puppy farms never having known the comfort a human can give. Some have been VERY badly treated by humans. Some have lived all their lives with one person who sadly can no longer care for them.
A fosterer can be a single person living on their own or part of a busy family with other pets. We will only ask you to foster dogs that suit you and your home.
Dogfriends will provide all veterinary care, worming and flea treatments and will pay any vet bills whilst they remain in foster care. We can even help out with food that has been kindly donated. Obviously once the dog is adopted either by the fosterer or another party, all vet bills etc become the new owners responsibility.
If you have lost a dog and miss the companionship but are not ready yet to commit to another, this could be perfect for you and you REALLY would be helping save many dogs lives.
Or if you already have a dog or more but feel you do have room for one more PLEASE get in touch with Louise on 07787108177 or email tizmelou@hotmail.com.
We have a friendly team of excellent foster carers in Chedder, Clevedon, Yatton, Yate and Bristol – please contact us if you would like to discuss joining us – you will be made VERY welcome by us and the dogs!
A fosterers Main Responsibilities
We give you the necessary information and contact numbers to make sure the following is easy to do and at minimal expense to yourselves (eg. petrol. Vet bills and Micro Chipping is paid directly by us). To care for the dog. To update Louise on a regular basis on the dogs progress and to contact us if you have ANY concerns. Ensure dogs have had their first jab, kennel cough & a Dogs Friends vet has given them a thorough check over, and that they have been flea’d and wormed. Male dogs will also need a vet trip for their castration. Call Pete to arrange for them to be micro chipped. Ensure you know when their 2nd jab is due and if the dog is with you get it done. make sure NO dog leaves Dogs Friends care without the above being done and paperwork being signed and donation received and sent in. And obviously to enjoy your foster dogs and take pleasure from being part of the Dogs Friends team, without our valued foster carers we would be unable to exist! Thank you!
