Fostering an animal is a rewarding and enriching experience. By offering an animal the shelter, care and affection they need on a temporary basis, you’re helping them on the road to finding their forever home. In return, you get the love and fun that comes with having a dog or cat around – without the long-term commitment.
It’s no secret that Canine Cottages fully supports the work of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, and now we want to lend a paw in boosting the number of foster carers on Battersea’s books. If you’re thinking of fostering a dog or cat in need and want to know more, we’ve compiled answers to a few of the most frequently asked questions, with the help of Battersea’s fostering co-ordinator Emily Wallace.
We cover areas including why you should foster, what experience is needed and how long a particular animal might stay with you. The key thing is that at every step of the way, Battersea’s expert fostering team is on hand to offer support and advice. Browse the questions below and, when ready, take those first steps towards becoming a Battersea foster carer.
What is fostering?
Battersea's foster scheme puts dogs and cats who are in the charity's care, in temporary homes - until they are rehomed. This gets them out of the kennels and pens into a more homely environment and also gives those with medical issues a comfortable space to live in.
Why should I foster with Battersea?
Fostering a cat or dog through Battersea allows people who can't commit to having a permanent pet the chance to enjoy some canine or feline company on a temporary basis. The team at Battersea support foster carers with all the support and advice they might need.
What experience do I need to be a foster carer?
The main requirement for a foster carer is flexibility with the animal you take in. You'll be responsible for their general care; feeding, walking and attending any necessary appointments. It's not essential to have prior experience as the team at Battersea is there every step of the way, but prior experience of rescue animals or fostering animals is useful. This is especially true regarding more sensitive dogs and those who require a bit more hands-on care.
Experience with more challenging behaviours, or greyhounds, or larger breeds would be an advantage. However, as long as you are willing to listen and learn, then it's worth applying. Finally, it helps if you have a flexible working pattern which allows you to be at home as much as possible so that the amount of time you're away from your foster animal is minimal.
How long will I have a foster animal for?
The length of time you foster a dog or cat depends on the individual animal, but Battersea usually looks for them to be with you until they are rehomed - which could take days, weeks or months. It really depends on the animal.
How do I sign up to become a foster carer for Battersea?
To find out more and to express an interest in fostering with Battersea, visit the charity’s fostering page. You can also take a look behind the scenes at Battersea, by reading all about our day at their London centre. To support Battersea’s work without committing to fostering, it’s easy to make a donation. Already a dog owner? Sign up to receive The Battersea Way email, then browse our full range of dog-friendly cottages; after all, your canine companion deserves a holiday too!
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.