Could you help needy pets? Southampton animal charity seeks foster volunteers
A Southampton charity is appealing to local animal lovers to become volunteer pet fosterers. With more unwanted and abandoned pets taken in at Blue Cross rehoming centres each year, the charity is developing its volunteer fostering scheme as one of the latest ways to enable them to care for increasing number of homeless animals until loving owners are found.
Blue Cross in Southampton is looking for volunteers who live within 45 minutes’ drive of their West End based rehoming centre who have no other animals and are able to care for pets in their homes on a short term basis
Lara Alford, rehoming centre manager for Blue Cross in Southampton, said: “Our foster volunteers are a really important part of our team. The pets our fosterers care for are often kittens and puppies who really benefit from spending their first few weeks in a real home. Also, poorly pets who need some time in a real home to recover or those who just aren’t coping very well in the kennel or cattery and just need a break.”
Lara added: “It’s great to have our team of volunteer fosterers on standby for when we take in those pets who really need that quiet home environment and as it’s a short term fostering it’s perfect for people who love pets, but aren’t able to take one on full time.”
When Dorothy Moody's beloved 12-year-old Jack Russell terrier died last year her home felt empty and too quiet. But Dorothy wasn't keen on taking on another dog as she takes regular trips to London from her home in Southampton and didn't want to leave a new dog alone all day.
When Dorothy heard the Blue Cross rehoming centre in Southampton needed volunteer foster carers to look after homeless dogs on a short term basis she applied immediately.
Phylis, a four-year-old ex-racing greyhound found as a stray, had to have her injured toe amputated. Because she needed regular visits to the vet before she could be rehomed she needed to find a foster carer. Dorothy was the perfect match because she had no other pets in the home and could provide the quiet restful environment shy Phylis needed. Dorothy was also able to bring Phylis back to the centre to see the vet regularly, despite the challenge of getting the large greyhound into her tiny car – a mini!
Dorothy said: "It seemed like the perfect solution to missing having a dog around. Phylis being at home with me has been really lovely, especially because she is such a calm dog with a wonderful temperament. We have really enjoyed each other's company over the last few weeks."
Phylis has now found a new home and is happily settling in with her new family.
To find out if you could be a volunteer fosterer, visit www.bluecross.org.uk or call the rehoming centre in Southampton on 0300 777 1530.
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Notes to Editors
• Images of Dorothy with Phylis are available, please contact the press office.
• Blue Cross has been dedicated to helping poorly, injured and abandoned pets for over 100 years. We opened the world’s first animal hospital in 1906 and since then our doors have never closed to sick and homeless animals.
• Today we run four animal hospitals and 12 rehoming centres across the UK, which provide treatment and seek happy homes for thousands of cats, dogs, small pets and horses every year.
• Blue Cross actively campaigns to improve all aspects of animal welfare, working with the government, schools and others to improve the lives of pets and their owners. For more information, please visit www.bluecross.org.uk.
Media contact
Sophia Khan, 020 7932 4070 or [email protected]