Author Credited: Crystal – Santerpaws Volunteer
Do you love dogs and want to help them? Maybe you have a natural gift for making dogs feel safe? Or perhaps you’re not sure if you want a dog, and would like a way to try it out? Fostering could be the answer!
By fostering one of our dogs, you’ll play a crucial role in their journey to finding a forever home. Not only will you help them become happy, well-adjusted pets, you’ll also become a valuable part of our volunteer network for rescue an rehoming. And, every dog fostered means another dog can be rescued.
Fostering benefits you, our dogs and Santerpaws shelter. Here’s how:
Flexibility and short-term commitment
Fostering is a temporary arrangement where volunteers provide a loving, short-term home. This can be ideal for people who aren’t ready to adopt, or have lifestyle factors that may change (like moving house, travel or planning a family).
Testing the waters
If you’re unsure about committing to a permanent pet, fostering is a sensible and unique opportunity to experience what it’s like to care for a dog. It allows you to assess whether having a pet fits into your life before making a long-term commitment.
Personal fulfilment
Fostering can be an incredibly rewarding experience – you can help a dog move towards a better life, giving them the time and understanding they need while they wait for adoption here in the UK. We sometimes need emergency foster homes – could you be a first responder and take a dog at short notice?
Shared responsibility
As a foster caregiver, you’ll have support every step of the way. Santerpaws provides Full Rescue Back Up (FRBU). Other help (with food or vet bills) will be discussed and arranged in advance. It’s less financially demanding and less overwhelming than adopting, but still gives you the joy of having a dog in your life.
Socialization, evaluation and support for dogs
Fostering helps dogs interact with new people, pets, and environments – crucial steps in their journey to being forever-homed. Your feedback helps us assess their behaviour in a home environment so we can match them with the right family.
You’re actually helping TWO dogs!
Foster one dog, save another. Fostering helps Santerpaws by creating a space at the shelter for another soul. By fostering, you allow us to rescue more dogs in need of shelter, food and medical attention. You can change lives again and again – not just once.
So how do I foster a Santerpaws dog?
Have a look at all the lovely dogs on the website. Could you foster a laid back senior dog? A feisty small dog? Or perhaps a bouncy pup? Do you have experience with nervous or energetic dogs? Check to see if they are cat or child friendly if this applies to you.
Scroll down the Home page and click ‘Become a Foster’. Fill in the application form. Tell us all about why you’d love to foster and which dogs you could help.
Next, a volunteer will contact you for a chat and a home check. Home checks are friendly – we don’t worry about tattoos or dusty ornaments, or run around counting hazards in your home (most people have common sense here!). We offer suggestions about making the garden safe, or discuss the 3-3-3 rule. It’s also a great chance for you to ask questions.
Soon after, one lucky dog will be on the woof wagon making the journey across Europe to you. They could be frightened or fun, snuggly or sensitive, but with your patience and dedication they can settle into the first part of their new life in the UK.
Interested in fostering a Santerpaws dog? Fill in a form, or message us on Facebook. There’s no pressure and no strings – just get in touch.
We can’t wait to hear from you!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SanterpawsBulgarianRescue
Interested in Adoption? :https://santerpawsbulgarianrescue.com/adoption-information/
