Hi All

Our local rescue has had two elderly little dogs in for about a month. 11 and 13 years of age and must go together. I keep seeing this advert and think how much I would love to take them on, and how awful it is that they are in kennels.

The rescue has never advertised for foster carers so I dont know if they have them, but I just wanted to hear from people who foster animals, mainly dogs. Obviously nothing would happen if they didnt get on with our dog, but I just wondered if anything was paid for by rescue and how it worked.

Id love to volunteer to take these two over Christmas at least.

Just wondered what you all thought about it?

Thank You!

__________________

I have mentioned this before on the forum, and its a wonderful idea.

I did a broadcast for the BBC from Blackberry Farm, RSPCA and this was one of the questions I wanted to ask. However, it was one that they were not prepared to answer on air

There were so many elderly cats and dogs waiting for a home, and I can understand peoples initial reluctance to consider them, since older animals can incur a lot of veterinary treatment.

I thought it made perfect sense, to allow these poor animals to be fostered, so that any veterinary care could be done by the RSPCA's vets free of charge. They would make their money back by freeing up vital space.

Or perhaps this is too easy

Sorry, I think I have gone off topic again, but well done you for considering fostering, and I'm sure that someone will be able to advise you

__________________

If you can do it it can make a world of difference to the dogs they would be alot more settled in a home. And can be assesed in a home enviroment. By fostering your also opening up spaces for other needy dogs that need to be brought in. I think its a fab idear. I would love to do it but i rent and my land lord would have heart faliure.

Obviously other half would need to be ok with the idea of fostering, but I think its just an amazing chance to have time with animals that need your care, and also you would be helping out the rescue places.

Also, if people were interested in the animal, they would have the chance to see them in a home environment and have first hand info on them from the fosterer.

I do think that certain animals shouldnt be in kennels. Its not nice for any dog, but some just do not cope in there and then they therefore become harder to rehome.

If only I had more money and more space!!!

__________________

Yes space can be a issue. But alot of the dogs just want a stable living conditions and benefit from not being stressed in the kennels. Even if they do there best for them in there.

I think thats a wonderfull idea and i also was thinking of fostering dogs in the future once my lot is a bit older and better trained.

I also wouldnt mind to take over the basic vets costs if there would be any.
I just feel like this would make a change in my life knowing that im actually doing something good for a poor animal.
We have the space and i have the time and it definitly would be better for a dog to be in a family before it finds a new home than being stuck in the kennels.

Sounds like a bit of an ordeal for you with that one!

I just want to do something with animals, there arent any jobs here at the moment and I thought this would be an ideal way to help animals.

__________________

Aww I think fostering's a lovely thing to do. The kennels where I used to work had a fostering programme... We placed elderly dogs in a home, and the owner of the kennels used to pay for any vets fee etc. Worked out well for everyone, and the dog didn't have to be stuck in kennels.

This is what im thinking, as some dogs are getting on a bit, and they cant be doing with being in a small kennel with noise and not much interaction.
I have emailed my local centre to see what they come back with, just asking them if they consider fostering for certain animals. If I dont get any joy i will go up there.

Why cant people see that there are individuals out there that just want to help.

__________________