RECENTLY, the Dogs Trust put out a call for dog foster carers to help them with the rising numbers of dogs being abandoned due to the cost-of-living crisis.
Some of the pets were young but others have been a part of a family for many years.
Salisbury resident Jo Heather has fostered dogs in need through the charity for five years and is an advocate of the whole process.
Jo said: “The first time you foster, it can be difficult, and yes, some will cry but they are often tears of happiness. I think of every single dog and how carers become a part of their story.
“When I finish fostering, I can feel pretty confident that the dog is going onto a really good place which takes the rawness out of it.
“The more you do it though, the easier it is, and it is great when you hear that a dog has gone to its forever home and is doing so well.”
Read more: Dog owners run out of options
Fostering may mean taking in a dog for a few days, weeks, or sometimes, months.
Jo said that as a family they discussed whether fostering was right for them before taking the plunge but wanted to help the dogs that were suddenly alone and in need of a safe space.
Jo said: “The Dogs Trust is on the doorstep, and it is a good charity. Some people may not be able to support a dog permanently but can offer a good home in the short term.”
There is no set age for fostering a dog. Salisbury Dogs Trust has foster carers in their twenties through to those in their eighties. A dog typically requires a ten-year commitment, so for many people, fostering is a preferred option.
Jo said: “We had a little Jack Russell called Mini and she came in and made herself right at home. When in kennels, they sleep little, so they are relieved to be in the quiet and they know where they are safe.”
The Dogs Trust try to match the right dog to the person or family when applying so it is important, to be honest about individual circumstances.
Read more: Imagine the heartbreak of giving up a dog that has been loved for years
Some dogs can be more difficult to foster – there can be breed traits or difficult social behaviours but Jo does not regret her decision to foster.
“Now is the time to do it. You are turning that dog’s life around and the Dogs Trust give you everything needed, dog food, beds, and training and there is no long-term commitment.”
For more information about fostering, visit The Dogs Trust website.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here