DOGS Trust Evesham has celebrated a decade of dogged devotion from dedicated fosterers who are in their tenth year of caring for dogs whilst they wait to be adopted.
Janet and Dave Whitehouse from Redditch started fostering dogs in 2009 and were Dogs Trust Evesham’s first foster carers after the charity set up the Home From Home fostering scheme.
In the last ten years they have cared for 40 dogs of all shapes and sizes including Blossom, a French Bulldog puppy with a heart murmur, Erin a Staffordshire Bull Terrier that had cancer, and long termer Star who was rehomed after just two months in the care of Janet and Dave.
They have a soft spot for Staffordshire Bull Terriers and they are currently fostering Boy George, a three-year-old crossbreed who has been looking for a home for 10 months.
The Home from Home scheme focuses on finding temporary foster homes for some of the dogs who need a little extra TLC and time out from the hustle and bustle of the rehoming centre.
In particular it benefits puppies, older dogs who are missing their home comforts, or dogs who have been poorly and recovering from surgery. Foster carers like Janet and Dave can give these dogs a home-away-from home, allowing them time to relax and settle into home life until a loving new family comes forward to adopt them.
“I originally got into fostering dogs as I saw a poster at the rehoming centre. Our first dog was an older Jack Russell Terrier called Charlie and once we started, we didn’t stop,” Janet said.
“The thing I love most about fostering is that no two dogs are the same. Every single one is different and I could go on all day listing the individual personalities and quirks of each dog.
“It is really lovely to see the difference in them when they come into a home environment and it encourages you to get out and meet new people. I do struggle waving goodbye but its bittersweet as I know they have gone off to a loving new family, which is all any of us really want and it is really lovely to know you’ve helped them find their perfect home.”
“The great thing about being a foster carer is it gives you the chance to help lots of dogs and you have the full backing of Dogs Trust who give you everything you need to look after the dogs.”
There are currently 25 foster families on board helping to take dogs in from Dogs Trust Evesham but the team are always looking for more foster carers to call upon.
Call 01386 835848 or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/fostering for more.
