COULD YOU BE A FOSTERER?

As part of our dog re-homing process we need fosterers. Fosterers can live in any part of the UK, in fact, the more we have across the entire country, the better!

THE ROLE OF A FOSTERER

Our fosterers do a wonderful job, welcoming these often traumatised, abused dogs into their human and doggy families, where they learn to trust once again and, sometimes, to adapt to living in a house for the very first time.

Whilst we don't expect our fosterers to be expert dog trainers, the foster dogs do learn the basics of living in society and, as far as possible, we expect them to follow our Twelve Basic Rules and VERY IMPORTANT RULES FOR THE HUMANS and to frequently consult YOU AND YOUR NEW DOG By GEMMA WICKENDEN on our training page.

If dogs are found to have any major behavioural problems, we place them with one of the fosterers who are also behaviourists and trainers for as long as is required.

During the transition period of time spent in their foster home (ideally 2 to 3 weeks) all dogs will be given appropriate flower essences and homeopathic remedies to help them settle. Any necessary veterinary care is, of course, paid by us.

The dogs are fed a good, healthy diet and get as much fresh air and exercise as possible. This may have to be built up slowly in certain cases.

Finally, the fosterers have to be brave and let their charges go, which is often the hardest part of the job, but it is also the most worthwhile, especially when they see their "foster fur kids" healthy and happy with their forever families at our Annual Reunion.

Please note, fostering for IRR is not a fast track to adopting one of our wonderful dogs and by-passing the normal waiting list unless, of course, because of special needs, there is nobody suitable wishing to adopt that particular dog.

If you think you could help us by being a Fosterer, please download, complete and return via email the application form (RTF 295KB), or contact Jackie Adams for more information: giftedwheels39@aol.com Tel: 01263 821441

OTHER WAYS TO HELP

Alternatively, if you don't think you could be a fosterer, you can still help us by downloading this poster (PDF, 304KB) and displaying it in your local post office or vets.