Animal charities like the RSPCA rely heavily on foster carers to provide temporary homes for pets in need. With shelters often at capacity and some animals struggling in those environments, foster care offers a critical solution until permanent homes can be found.
The Role of Foster Carers
Foster carers provide a safe, nurturing space for animals, covering their day-to-day needs while the RSPCA handles expenses like vet visits, supplies, and medication. The animals they care for might come from challenging backgrounds, such as hoarding situations or abandonment, or simply face circumstances where their previous owners can no longer keep them.
‘Renowned foster failure’
Stories of Foster Care
For individuals like Jo Hazel, fostering has been life-changing. Over two and a half years, she’s cared for more than 100 small animals, from rabbits to mice. “Being able to give them a safe home and watch them find forever families is an amazing feeling,” she shares. Jo’s first foster pet, Hugo the hamster, became her “foster fail” — a term for when carers adopt the animals themselves.
‘Respite breaks’
Others, like Anna Forrester, have dedicated their lives to fostering. With over 100 animals fostered, Anna emphasizes the balance between emotional reward and challenge. “It’s sad to see them go, but you can’t keep them all if you want to help more animals,” she notes.
‘Not a try before you buy’
Viv Moore, an animal behaviorist, fosters dogs to give them a break from kennels. Her first foster fail, Rosie, a border collie, was severely traumatized but has made remarkable progress. Viv highlights the transformative power of fostering, even for the most vulnerable animals.
‘My heart breaks a bit’
Claire Craig, who has fostered around 96 kittens, describes the joy and emotional difficulty of parting with her fosters: “I often cry when they go, but fostering is worth every moment.”
Addressing the Rehoming Crisis
The RSPCA reports a 42% increase in animals arriving at their centers compared to those being adopted in 2023, highlighting a rehoming crisis. Foster carers provide a vital service, helping animals acclimate to home environments and recover from trauma.
Becca Sparks, RSPCA’s fostering manager, underscores their impact: “Fostering offers a lifeline for animals who struggle in centers, ensuring they get the individual care they need.”
Challenges and Rewards
While fostering is deeply rewarding, it requires patience, observance, and emotional resilience. It’s not simply “try before you buy.” Many animals come with behavioral or medical challenges, and carers must focus on the animals’ best interests, often asking, “Is there a better home for this animal than mine?”
Despite the challenges, fostering offers an unparalleled sense of fulfillment. For carers like Jo, Anna, Viv, and Claire, knowing they’ve made a difference in an animal’s life makes every tear and triumph worthwhile.