The RSPCA is looking for more fosterers – people who care for animals in their homes with support given by the institution as around 700 animals have yet to find homes.
The company provides foster carers with all the financial, emotional and some logistical support they need in providing temporary care for the animal – including any medication the pet may be taking and funding for any ongoing vet treatment.
Fostering gives people who would normally be unable to take in an animal long-term – due to other commitments – an opportunity to have pets in the home.
The animals rescued receive the specialist and individual care needed – offering a lifeline for vulnerable animals who might really struggle in an animal centre environment.
As the cost of living crisis bites, the RSPCA can only see the animal crisis getting worse over the winter months.
Capacity problems at RSPCA centres are being exacerbated by an increase in calls to the RSPCA post pandemic – leading to a slowdown in rehoming and a larger number of animals coming into the charity’s care.
As less people are adopting – they say they are in a really worrying situation with their ‘jam-packed centres’.
Brian Reeves, head of volunteering at the RSPCA, said: “Fostering is not only an amazing, rewarding volunteering opportunity; but could also help alleviate real pressure on our resources and help tackle this growing animal welfare crisis.”
Maureen Austin, 77, one of the RSPCA’s most prolific fosterers, has been fostering for more than twelve years after retiring from her role with a construction company in 2009.
She is known especially for her unbelievable record of fostering more than 200 cats.
The self-confessed ‘crazy cat-lady’ likes to help nervous cats build their trust and confidence, getting cats used to living in a normal home, and hand-rearing kittens until they’re ready for rehoming.
She added: “It can be hard saying goodbye when they go off to their new homes but there’s always another cat who needs my help so that keeps me going. I get so much out of doing this; it gives me a purpose and I feel incredibly lucky that I get to do it.”
Another fosterer, Nia Ball, has described fostering as the “most rewarding process ever” and claimed it helped her deal with the stress of her A-level examinations when she struggled to find time to volunteer at the centres.
She has fostered a total of 21 rabbits – all either being aggressive, territorial or petrified of people due to their awful start in life – and has helped prepare them for permanent homes.
What she enjoyed the most was the fact that within days of being with her, the rabbits are happy and began to trust her.
Nia said: “Fostering is flexible. If I go on holiday, the rabbit can go back to the centre and if I have a month at home from University I can phone the RSPCA and ask if any rabbit needs fostering. They always have someone who will benefit from the experience.
Brian added: “Put simply – we urgently need more people willing to open up their homes, and their hearts, to help give dogs, cats and other animals a fresh start in life.
Those interested in applying to be an RSPCA fosterer can do so online via the RSPCA’s volunteering portal at volunteer.rspca.org.uk.
