- Dogs Trust is appealing for more foster carers across the Midlands.
- Volunteer fosters play a vital role, allowing Dogs Trust to care for even more dogs.
- Dogs Trust covers the cost of food, bedding, vet treatment and other items for the dogs cared for by foster carers.
Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, is appealing for more dog lovers across the Midlands to volunteer as foster carers. Foster carers provide temporary homes for dogs until they find their forever home.
This appeal from Dogs Trust, which has rehoming centres in Loughborough, Kenilworth, Evesham and Shrewsbury, comes as the charity continues to receive incredibly high numbers of enquiries from people facing the heartbreaking decision to rehome their dogs. In light of this increased demand, Dogs Trust is particularly seeking fosterers who can take on larger breeds or those with specific requirements.
Fostering a dog is a hugely rewarding experience, as it allows individuals or families to provide a loving home for a dog who may have had a difficult start in life. Through the charity’s Home from Home scheme, foster carers open their homes to dogs on a temporary basis until they are matched with their forever families. This may be for anything from a few days up to a few months, but throughout, foster carers are fully supported by the charity. All costs are covered by Dogs Trust, including food, bedding, grooming, and vet treatment.
With the charity caring for more than 11,000 dogs each year, foster carers also help Dogs Trust free up space in its rehoming centres, making room for even more dogs looking for their forever homes. Beyond this, foster care also gives dogs a break from time in rehoming centres and lets the charity see how each dog behaves in a home, allowing Dogs Trust to best match the dogs to their forever homes.
Celine Di Crocco, Manager of Dogs Trust Loughborough, said: “As we continue to receive high numbers of enquiries from owners needing to relinquish their dogs to us, we are appealing for more foster carers across the Midlands to open up their homes to support us. Fosterers play a vital role in the way we care for dogs, giving our dogs a chance to be cared for in a home environment and allowing us to care for even more dogs.
“If you’re interested in becoming a Dogs Trust foster carer, please contact us or visit our rehoming centre for more information.”
Suzanne Joy, from Warwickshire, has fostered 15 dogs for Dogs Trust Kenilworth over the last three years. Speaking about her experience, she says: “Foster caring is a great and rewarding way to support Dogs Trust and support the lovely dogs who are looking to find their forever homes.”
“To anyone considering fostering, I would say, what are you waiting for – do it. Dogs give you so much, and by fostering, you are helping lots of dogs who deserve a new home through no fault of their own. It’s such a great scheme to be part of, and I would find it very difficult to stop fostering now.”
Dogs Trust is currently looking for foster carers who are over 18, have their own garden or regular access to an outside space, and no children aged under 10 in the home.
To find out how to become a Dogs Trust foster carer, visit your local Dogs Trust rehoming centre, or for more information, visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/foster.
