Dog Fosterers
Becoming a foster carer is a unique volunteer role which involves providing a loving home environment for an animal during their time of need. Fosterers have the ability to help our experienced team assess the animal’s suitability for rehoming as well as the right type of home for them, by providing feedback on potential health or behavioural issues.
Why Do We Need Volunteer Fosterers?
Our fosterers are amazing people who provide a loving home environment for dogs that either find:
- Kennel/cattery life too stressful
- Need to be assessed in a home environment
- Need medical or palliative care
- Through our 'A Helping Paw' programme we provide foster homes for pet owners who are homeless or affected by domestic abuse.
What will I be doing?
- Providing home-care for a dog, feeding and caring for them, writing detailed notes on their progress and feeding information to the animal’s caseworker.
- We cover all veterinary costs and provide you with the essentials - this includes things like food, harnesses, bowls and poo bags.
- Following set training and exercise plans.
- Taking your foster animals to receive veterinary care as needed and administering any treatment as advised by the vet, supported by the animal’s caseworker.
What attributes are we looking for?
- Experience of caring and training dogs using positive reinforcement techniques.
- Ideally adult only homes with no other pets and a secure garden, but we consider each situation individually.
- Comfortable giving medication to animals under the direction of a vet and with appropriate training.
- Good attention to detail and ability to keep an animal information log.
- Ability to follow behavioural assessment tasks and training plans.
- Willingness to take on a challenge and work with dogs that have specific training needs.
- Ability to handle strong and large dogs.
Time commitment: Minimum of 7 days over a fixed period (24 hour animal care)
Location: Due to its nature this role is home-based, however, transport may be needed to our partner vets and Oak Tree Farm (Wetheral). Own transport is beneficial due to our location (we are currently not in a position to be able to offer transport).
All fosterers are home-checked and receive ongoing training and support from our welfare team. Training and support will be provided for this role as appropriate.
If you have any questions regarding this volunteer role, please email volunteer@oaktreeanimals.org.uk