The joy of foster caring

July 8 2009

There are occasions where animals arrive at the RSPCA in need of 24-hour care that we simply cannot provide with the facilities we currently have. That’s when our network of foster carers step in.

Foster caring may not be something you are familiar with but it is a vital part of the RSPCA’s work and every foster carer provides short-term sanctuary for animals in need, for a variety of reasons.

Meet ‘Neshima’ (pictured) who is a 20-something day old Rottweiler puppy who was rejected by her mother and was surrendered to the RSPCA three weeks ago. Neshima may look cute and cuddly but as our spokesman Richard Barry has found out, foster caring can be hard work.

“Neshima wakes up about every two to three hours to feed and I do mean every two to three hours, so sleep, or lack of it, has taken its toll… It’s just like caring for a baby” said Richard. In fact after two days of caring for Neshima, Richard called in two other foster carers for assistance and now the tiny Rottie is cared for by Richard, Donna and Rochelle who rotate days to look after her.

“I never believed foster caring would be so rewarding” said Richard “but holding a tiny, helpless animal in the palm of your hand while feeding it with a bottle and catching all the wee that comes out the other end, it’s a very special kind of magic.

“To be so completely relied upon is such a blessing and it really does make you feel like you are doing something that is profoundly good. I would recommend it to anyone who loves animals but who cannot, for example, commit to a full-time pet."

Neshima has even made an appearance on 6PR's Sunday breakfast program where she did a great job of telling people why fostering is so important

Foster carers don’t just look after youngsters. Older animals are often in need of temporary refuge and these often include farm animals, horses, even rats or guinea pigs. “You simply cannot predict what type of animal you could be looking after from one week to another,” said Richard. “In many ways that’s the beauty of fostering because how else could you experience such a diverse range of animals to care for.”

Foster carers need to fill out a simple form, have permission from their landlord (where applicable) to have an animal in their property and a routine inspection by one of our Inspectors. If you are interested in becoming a foster carer send us an email, or call us on 9209 9312.

We would love to hear from you.