Celebrating one year of fostering at BCDH
Just over one year ago we launched our new Fostering Network at Bath Cats and Dogs Home and we are delighted to have nearly forty trained, volunteer fosterers onboard. Having the Fostering Network in place has had a positive impact on the wellbeing of our rescue animals as it has allowed us to give many more animals a break from kennels in a nurturing home environment. Since November 2023, over 160 animals have been fostered in just over 12 months.
Speaking about the Fostering Network, Emma our Fostering Co-ordinator at Bath Cats and Dogs Home said: “I am so impressed with our team of fosterers because they give up their own precious time to help our animals in need. They are continuously learning and adapting to the needs of their foster cases which can differ hugely from case to case. Sometimes, they will have one nervous cat that needs plenty of time and patience and other times, be managing a Mum and litter of six-eight kittens which can be quite a handful! It is such a selfless task and has so many benefits for our animals.”
“We can learn a lot about animal behaviour in a home environment which then helps us to look for the right sort of home for them. It also improves their quality of life and welfare by being in a home surrounded by home comforts and being in a good routine. Some of our animals can become very shut down in a cattery or kennel simply because it’s an unfamiliar environment. We have seen dramatic changes in those cases going into a home environment – sometimes, the change is instant which is amazing to see! Fostering really can be life changing.”
“After placing animals on foster where we see them at their best, we often find their new homes and adopters come along very quickly. Even for those animals that have been long stay members of our cattery or kennels. For example, Autumn, a cat who was in the cattery for a year with little rehoming interest, went on foster and was adopted within six weeks due to her behaviour improving drastically on foster. Once we can share the animal’s history of behaviour changes in a foster home, it adds security for adopters knowing what to expect from their new pet.”
Ali tells us her fostering story
We asked one of our volunteer dog fosterers, Ali, to tell us about her first experience of fostering, with a Chihuahua called Shela and her puppies earlier this year:
What made you decide to become a fosterer for Bath Cats and Dogs Home?
I decided to become a fosterer for Bath Cats and Dogs Home because I have always loved animals, and I grew up with cats and dogs when I was young. Also, I had time to foster dogs as I work from home and knew it would be easy to fit in their needs around my daily routines. As I have children, I knew our busy home would be the perfect place to socialise puppies and I also wanted to get outside more and enjoy lots of dog walks.
What was involved before you started as a fosterer?
After responding to a social media post asking for local people to join their fostering network last winter, I filled in an application form and then Emma, the Fostering Co-ordinator from Bath Cats and Dogs Home got in touch to check what animals would suit my situation. She then did a virtual tour of my home and garden to check that we were a good fit for a female Chihuahua called Shela and her puppies.
How was your experience of becoming a fosterer?
“I enjoyed my first experience of fostering with Bath Cats and Dogs Home, I felt very well supported throughout. They are so careful and thorough in their checks to make sure they are matching the right foster animals with the right home for their needs. I was really well prepared by Emma and she gave me lots of useful factsheets on what the puppies needed at each stage. I did an online training course on fostering, and learnt about reading dogs and their body language among other training.”
What did you enjoy most about fostering for the first time?
“Fostering Shela and her puppies was a real joy, particularly when you first saw them in the morning, and they were always so happy to see you. The whole family loved having cuddles with the pups and we were able to help with their socialisation by introducing them to friends and family. My children’s friends also visited the puppies often and I also had a rota to carry some of the pups on school runs to get them used to the sights and sounds of traffic and village life.”
All our dog and cat fostering roles are currently full but we will advertise online and social media when we are open for more volunteer fosterers next year. If you’d like to find out more, read our guide Fostering - a step by step guide and check our volunteering page to see if any other roles might be of interest Volunteer for us | Bath Cats & Dogs Home